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Apple Reportedly Developing Screenless Fitness Tracker to Rival WHOOP and Fitbit Air

Apple is reportedly prototyping a screenless health and fitness band that could compete with WHOOP and Google's Fitbit Air, though the project is early and may not ship before 2028, if at all.

Citing Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Android Authority reported that Apple has been exploring the concept for several months and is now building prototypes. People familiar with the project said it likely would not arrive before 2028, if it reaches the market at all.

The prototypes are described as a thin fabric band paired with a sensor-equipped computing module and no display. That approach would set the product apart from the Apple Watch, which carries apps and notifications; the band would instead concentrate on passive health and fitness tracking.

The category has expanded this year. Google launched the $99 Fitbit Air earlier in 2026, offering a lightweight, screenless take on passive tracking. The Luna Band also recently began shipping worldwide for $149, joining WHOOP and Garmin among the growing set of display-free options.

Bloomberg reported that the potential tracker has drawn particular interest from Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook and services chief Eddy Cue, and that members of Apple's Vision hardware team are involved in the early engineering work.

Apple has not commented publicly on the project, and no launch window has been confirmed. Android Authority noted that even readers drawn to an Apple-branded screenless tracker need not start saving yet, given how early the effort remains.

Editor's Summary

Apple is reportedly prototyping a screenless fitness band with a fabric strap and sensor module, aimed at the same passive-tracking market as WHOOP, Garmin, the Luna Band and Google's $99 Fitbit Air. Bloomberg sources say the project is in early stages, involves interest from Tim Cook and Eddy Cue, and may not launch before 2028 if it proceeds at all. Apple has not confirmed the device or given any release timeline.