Ultrahuman could be next with a Whoop-style band
Garmin and Zepp Health have just entered the screenless fitness tracker space. Now Ultrahuman is hinting it could be next.
A serious push into screenless tracking
This is the part of the wearables market that’s starting to get interesting. Not because the tech is brand new, but because the competition is finally catching up. For a long time, Whoop pretty much had the screenless format to itself. It’s discreet, built for recovery, and you get everything from sleep scores to strain tracking in the app. I’ve had a Whoop strapped to my wrist for the past couple of years. It’s not perfect, but it does some things very well. For example, its smartphone app is one of the best in the business.
Zepp Health just launched the Helio Strap, a Whoop-style device without a screen. It leans on the same core sensors from Amazfit watches, but strips the extras. And it’s a one-time purchase, no subscription. The app isn’t quite there yet, but they’re clearly trying. Then there’s Garmin’s Index Sleep Monitor. That one narrows in on sleep, with less of a focus on recovery and readiness. And now Polar is teasing something for September, right ahead of IFA. This space is moving.
Ultrahuman isn’t on the sidelines. They’re watching all of this and, from the sound of it, building something too.
Rings are great but not for everything
Ultrahuman made its name with a smart ring. It’s a solid product with decent sensors, but what really surprised me was the software. The smartphone app is slick. It’s quick to load, doesn’t bury the data, and comes with some innovative insights. In that sense, it reminds me of Whoop more than any other brand.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
But rings have limits. They’re not great for heavy lifting or anything that requires a tight grip. Ultrahuman is aware of this. One of their team members responded to a question about whether they’d ever consider making a Whoop-style strap, and the reply was telling.
They more or less confirmed it’s something they’re exploring. Nothing concrete yet. But they mentioned the need for alternate form factors and brought up the idea of a modular sensor ecosystem. It’s apparently on their roadmap. They just can’t share more at this stage.
Ultrahuman’s app might be its secret weapon
If Ultrahuman does go the Whoop route, I actually think they could pull it off. The ring hardware is fine, but it’s the software that is the more impressive part. That gives them a head start over other companies. Zepp Health, for example, still needs to do more on the app side. And Garmin isn’t really aiming for full-body recovery tracking with its new sleep wearable.
Ultrahuman, though, is already halfway there. Add a screenless strap with solid sensors and just enough battery life, and the ecosystem starts to look competitive. Especially if they keep it subscription-free. The whole thing is starting to feel like a quiet arms race in the background of the smartwatch wars.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Check out our YouTube channel.
