News in Short

• Fitbit Air costs ₹13,999, while the Amazfit Helio Strap is priced at ₹8,999.
• Amazfit promises up to 10 days of battery life, compared with seven days on Fitbit Air.
• Fitbit offers automatic sleep and nap detection, readiness metrics and Gemini-powered health coaching.
• Amazfit supports 27 sports modes, 25 strength-training movement recognitions and several third-party fitness platforms.
• Both trackers work without a display, but their app experiences and subscription models differ.

Screenless fitness trackers are designed for people who want health insights without smartwatch distractions. The Fitbit Air and Amazfit Helio Strap follow this approach, tracking activity, sleep and recovery without a display.

However, there is a significant price difference. The Fitbit Air costs ₹13,999 in India, while the Amazfit Helio Strap is priced at ₹8,999. That puts Google’s tracker ₹5,000 ahead of its rival.

Having reviewed both devices, the choice comes down to what users value more. Fitbit offers a detailed health dashboard and Gemini-powered coaching. Amazfit counters with longer battery life, extensive sports tracking and no subscription requirement.

Fitbit Air vs Amazfit Helio Strap: Design and comfort

Both trackers prioritise comfort over smartwatch features. The Fitbit Air uses a compact sensor module inside a woven fabric strap. Its tracking module weighs 5.2 grams, while the complete device weighs around 12 grams with the band.

The Amazfit Helio Strap weighs 20 grams. It houses its sensors inside a compact pod fitted into a nylon band. Its design feels lightweight and comfortable for extended wear, including overnight tracking.

Fitbit’s detachable sensor module lets users change bands without replacing the tracker. It also includes a status LED and a vibration motor for silent alarms and reminders.

Amazfit keeps things simpler, focusing on a durable design and a secure nylon strap. It offers 5 ATM water resistance, while Fitbit supports water resistance up to 50 metres. Both are suitable for swimming, although Fitbit’s fabric band needs proper drying after water exposure.

For users who prioritise minimal weight, Fitbit has the advantage on paper. However, both devices offer the screen-free experience that defines this category.

Health tracking and fitness features

The Fitbit Air tracks steps, heart rate, sleep, readiness and cardio load through the Google Health app. Its sleep tracking automatically detects nighttime sleep and daytime naps. It estimates sleep stages and highlights restlessness and periods spent awake.

The tracker also records resting heart rate and heart-rate variability. These metrics become more useful as the app builds a baseline from personal data. However, automatic workout recognition was inconsistent during testing, sometimes requiring confirmation from the user.

The Amazfit Helio Strap takes a broader approach to sports tracking. It supports 27 sports modes, including running, cycling, yoga, Pilates and HYROX training. It can also recognise 25 strength-training movements.

Its health features include continuous heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen saturation, stress tracking and recovery insights through BioCharge. Amazfit’s PAI system assigns a daily activity score, giving users another way to track their progress.

However, users must start activities manually through the app before workouts. Automatic detection can also log activities under generic workout categories. Its sleep tracking provides sleep-stage, nap and breathing-quality information, although occasional monitoring gaps appeared during testing.

Both devices offer useful health data, but neither removes every manual step from fitness tracking.

Google Health vs Zepp: Which app is better

The companion app plays a major role because neither tracker has a display. Fitbit uses Google Health to organise activity, sleep, recovery and health metrics. Its interface separates information into sections, making daily trends easier to review.

Google’s Gemini-powered Health Coach adds another layer. It can interpret health data, suggest workouts and help create fitness plans. However, it requires Google Health Premium. Fitbit includes a three-month trial, after which the subscription costs ₹499 per month or ₹4,999 annually. Some coaching recommendations can feel generic.

Basic activity tracking and several recovery metrics remain available without a subscription.

The Amazfit Helio Strap uses the Zepp app to display activity, sleep, recovery and wellness insights. It supports custom training templates and connects with services such as Strava, adidas Running, TrainingPeaks, Google Fit and Apple Health.

Its integration with compatible Amazfit smartwatches also helps users maintain continuity across devices. However, step counts sometimes differed from Apple Health during testing, and certain activities required manual entry.

The choice depends on the user’s priorities. Fitbit offers AI-assisted guidance, while Amazfit provides broad platform compatibility without a mandatory subscription.

Battery life and value for money

Battery life is one of the Amazfit Helio Strap’s strongest advantages. Amazfit claims up to 10 days on a single charge. During testing, the tracker retained more than 50% battery after seven days of continuous heart-rate monitoring, daily workouts and sleep tracking.

The Fitbit Air offers up to seven days of battery life. Testing matched that claim. It also supports fast charging, with five minutes of charging providing up to a day of use. A full charge takes around 90 minutes.

The Helio Strap uses a magnetic charger, while Fitbit connects through a pogo-pin cable. Both require removing the tracker for charging.

The ₹5,000 price gap makes the buying decision clearer. The Fitbit Air suits users who want detailed sleep insights, Google Health integration and Gemini-powered coaching. However, its premium is harder to justify if buyers only need everyday health and fitness tracking.

The Amazfit Helio Strap offers longer battery life, multiple sports modes and wide third-party app support for less money. It also avoids recurring subscription costs.

Fitbit Air vs Amazfit Helio Strap: Which should you buy

The Fitbit Air is a compelling choice for users already invested in Google’s health ecosystem. Its lightweight design, automatic sleep detection and recovery dashboard make it a useful companion for continuous monitoring. Gemini-powered coaching adds potential value, although its recommendations still need refinement.

The Amazfit Helio Strap makes a stronger case on affordability. It costs ₹5,000 less, lasts longer between charges and supports a wide range of training activities. Its Zepp app also connects with several popular fitness platforms.

For most buyers seeking a screenless fitness tracker, the Amazfit Helio Strap offers better value for money. The Fitbit Air is worth considering if its Google Health experience and AI coaching matter enough to justify the additional cost.