Fitbit Air review: Solid hardware undermined by intrusive AI
A new assessment of Google’s latest wearable highlights the tension between minimalist hardware design and aggressive AI integration in the health tech sector.
Ars Technica has published a review of the Fitbit Air, a new $100 screenless fitness tracker that positions itself as a minimalist alternative to competitors like Whoop. The publication praises the device’s hardware, noting its reliable sensor performance for heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep tracking, alongside a comfortable design that lasts approximately one week on a single charge. The tracker lacks a screen, speaker, and ECG functionality, relying instead on a single LED and vibration motor for basic user feedback.
Despite the strong hardware foundation, the review heavily criticises the integrated Google Health AI "Health Coach." Included by default with the three months of Google Health Premium provided with the device, the Gemini-based AI is described as overly chatty, offering generic advice such as suggesting a light walk after strenuous activity. The review notes that the coach’s tendency to provide grandiose praise and verbose summaries detracts from the user experience, with free users reportedly enjoying a more information-dense interface without the AI interference.
Technical reliability issues were also highlighted, with the review documenting instances where the AI hallucinated data. Specific examples included the coach inventing workouts that did not occur based on minor fluctuations in heart rate or steps, as well as failing to recognise data points that were clearly visible in other sections of the app. While the AI can be prompted to adjust its tone or account for lifestyle factors, the fundamental issues with generative accuracy remain a concern for users seeking precise health metrics.
The device faces additional limitations regarding accessories and app functionality. Google’s official silicone and polyurethane bands are priced at $35 and $50 respectively, which the review describes as expensive relative to the tracker’s cost. Third-party band options remain limited due to Google’s proprietary connector design. Furthermore, long-time Fitbit users may find the transition to the new Google Health app irksome, as it lacks features such as blood pressure tracking and custom meal creation that were present in the legacy platform.
For investors and consumers evaluating the wearable market, the Fitbit Air offers a compelling hardware proposition at $100, or $130 for the Stephen Curry special edition. However, the review suggests that the aggressive push for AI integration via the Health Coach may be detrimental to adoption. While the AI can be disabled through buried settings in the app, the default experience prioritises Google’s Gemini ecosystem over straightforward data logging, raising questions about the value proposition of premium health subscriptions.
