Apple is apparently considering a more serious entry into the market for screenless health bands; a product that could be a direct rival to the Fitbit Air.
According to ITPna quoting Techadvisor, this move is part of Apple’s possible plan for a major redesign of its wearable product lineup in 2027 and could be a cheaper option for users who need health and fitness tracking features but do not want to pay much for an Apple Watch.
The market for screenless wearable gadgets is growing rapidly in 2026. Products such as the Fitbit Air, Garmin Cirqa, Polar Loop and Luna Band are trying to offer sports and health tracking capabilities in a simple, screenless format. These products typically have lower prices than smartwatches and in some cases use subscription models to provide advanced features.
According to published reports, Apple has taken this trend seriously and is examining screenless wearable devices. It is not yet clear what design or features the final product will have, but its likely goal is to expand Apple’s presence in the fitness tracker market and attract more users to the company’s ecosystem.
This plan apparently is not limited to a single health band. Apple is likely planning major changes to the Apple Watch family in 2027. One option under consideration is releasing a cheaper model of the Apple Watch SE that could make the Apple smartwatch accessible to more users.
On the other hand, Apple is apparently also exploring the use of circular displays for some future Apple Watch models; a design previously seen on watches like Google’s Pixel Watch and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch. There is even talk of releasing more expensive models than the Watch Ultra and luxury Hermès editions.
However, major changes should not be expected for 2026, and the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 will likely receive only limited updates. As a result, 2027 could be an important time for the transformation of Apple’s wearables family and the company’s entry into the screenless smart band market.