Air is not intended to stand on its own even to serve as a data collector within Google expand the health program system. (The company also renamed the Fitbit app “Google Health.”) Built on Gemini, Health Coach is the smartest of the system, promising personalized guidance based on your habits, goals and biometric data. Instead of just displaying statistics, Google Health Coach translates them into actionable recommendations. It can create exercise plans, recommend recovery windows based on stress and readiness, and analyze sleep disruptions. It’s meant to provide ongoing training that changes with your routine.
Despite its rugged exterior, the Air retains the same breadth of tracking capabilities as the Charge 6. That includes basic metrics like steps, distance and calories burned, as well as more advanced features like weekly Cardio Load and Daily Readiness scores. It also continues to provide 24/7 heart rate monitoring, including abnormal heart rhythm alerts that can flag potential symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AFib), alerts for high or low heart rate readings, and heart rate variability (HRV) insights.
Sleep tracking gets regular updates. The Air still offers Fitbit’s personalized Sleep Score, but Google says the system—now powered by Google’s Gemini—is 15 percent more accurate than the previous model at capturing interruptions, sleep and transitions between sleep stages. It also includes Smart Wake alarms, which aim to wake users up at the optimal level during their sleep period for an easy start to the day.
It’s worth noting here that while Health Coach is at the heart of Google’s health software system, it’s also a client-only feature. Anyone can use the Google Health app for free, and if you have a Fitbit device or Pixel Clockyou can continue to see your activity data, sleep and health monitoring. (Google also plans to offer support for a larger line of devices later in the year.) If you want access to Health Coach or features like flexible fitness plans, it’ll cost $10 a month ($100 a year) for Google Health Premium. You’ll receive three months free with the purchase of Air, and it’s also included with anyone who signs up Google One subscription plans for AI Pro and AI Ultra.
If you’re already into the Google wearables ecosystem, Air is designed to fit seamlessly into your routine. Both Air and Pixel watch are compatible with the Google Health app, meaning you can wear them at the same time or interchangeably. Health data is synced automatically, and the app lets you filter metrics by device. It’s a small but meaningful detail that reflects Google’s broader attempt to unify its lineup and create customizable inputs for a unified health platform.
The new Google Health app will launch on May 19 for Android and iOS. The Fitbit Air is available for pre-order today and will launch on May 26.
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