8 things Google’s Whoop competitor needs before I’ll buy it

Google is taking a swing at Whoop with its own screenless Fitbit band, recently teased on the wrists of NBA star Steph Curry. We’ve seen a few similar launches this year from Polar and Amazfit, all of which point to more people looking for a wearable that skips the distractions. The problem is, Whoop already does that well. If Google wants to compete, it needs to deliver on a variety of fronts.

A fitness tracker is only as good as its accuracy, and that starts with heart rate. Google’s Pixel Watch line already proved the company can match chest straps at rest and during workouts, so there’s no reason the new Fitbit band shouldn’t hit the same bar. I don’t necessarily need built-in GPS, but auto-detection is another deal breaker. Without a screen to start a workout, it has to be extremely reliable. If I’m opening an app to log activity, I might as well use a watch. At a minimum, the device should consistently recognize common workouts like running, walking, cycling, and strength training. I’d personally appreciate rowing and hiking as well.

Whoop focuses on strain, and Oura on readiness, but both brands promote a holistic focus. With this new device, Google has the opportunity to do the same. I want a Fitbit that recognizes when I’m getting sick, nudges me toward a rest day when I need one, and doesn’t guilt me into pushing when I need recovery. If my sleep tanked and my HRV is down, say that and suggest I take it easy. If I’m trending upward, tell me I’m good to kick it up. Likewise, if Google is going to flex Gemini anywhere, this is the place. I’m already reaching for my phone more often to check stats without a screen, so give me something worth opening the app for, like genuinely useful and personalized insights.

The Fitbit band should slot in alongside the Pixel Watch in the same way Samsung positions the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring as complementary devices. I want to see shared data, complementary insights, and seamless switching without friction. Unlike Samsung, however, I hope the band doesn’t lock features behind a specific phone.

Anything less than a week on a device without a screen would be extremely disappointing, and if this is meant to compete with Whoop, it needs to go even further. Google has the opportunity to offer true multi-week battery life on a Fitbit-based device. If Google can match or improve on Whoop’s approach to charging on-the-go (pictured above), it will be an even more compelling alternative for athletes who hate to miss a single data point.

5. Haptics (focused on alarms)

I’m thrilled with the idea of a distraction-free, screenless wearable. Like most people, I get more than enough constant notifications on my phone. However, a reliable, quiet alarm that wakes me up without waking up everyone else is one of the main reasons I wear a device to bed every night (not just to confirm I only got 4 hours of sleep). The device needs haptic alarms so it can replace my AMOLED-touting Pixel Watch overnight. It already has the potential to be a more comfortable bedtime companion based on build, and the likely long-term battery life makes it a strong candidate for my 24/7 wearable.

On that note, if I’m going to wear this 24/7, it needs to be lightweight, breathable, and low enough profile that I’m not thinking about it while I sleep, type, or attempt a grueling rowing workout. It’s hard to tell what exactly is going on in the teaser as far as build, but my ideal design would be a detachable tracker that allows for band swapping. There’s not much grosser than being stuck in a woven strap that’s suspiciously moist hours after your gym session. I would love to see Google offer alternative bands as accessories in the same way you can mix things up on your Pixel Watch or Whoop.

A single look isn’t going to work for workouts, sleep, and everyday wear, especially not the gray and orange combo teased on Steph Curry. If this is meant to be a true all-day device, it needs range. Personally, I need an option that’s incredibly neutral. On the other hand, I know a lot of athletes who live for neon detailing. I hope Google offers an assortment of styles and colorways so shoppers have plenty of options.

8. An approachable price point

Pricing will make or break this device. Whoop’s subscription model is a sticking point for a lot of shoppers, and Google has unfortunately already made it clear that some of this device’s features will also require a subscription. My obvious guess is that it will tie to Fitbit Premium. I loathe the subscription trend taking over the wearables space, and really hope that the upfront cost on this new hardware at least compensates for the fact that shoppers will be asked to pay an ongoing fee.