Apple is reportedly experimenting with a screenless fitness band that could bring it closer to WHOOP’s minimalist approach to health tracking. Reports suggest the prototype features a fabric strap and a sensor-equipped computing module designed to monitor metrics such as heart rate and other health data. However, Apple has not confirmed the product, its specifications, pricing, or branding, and reports indicate that a commercial launch may not happen before 2028. The project is still considered experimental, so it remains unclear whether Apple will eventually bring it to market.
The idea of removing the screen may seem unusual for Apple, but WHOOP has already built its wearable strategy around exactly that concept. A screenless design can reduce distractions, support longer wear, and allow the hardware to focus primarily on sensors and health tracking. WHOOP 5.0 offers more than 14 days of battery life and focuses on continuous monitoring across sleep, recovery, strain, and other health metrics. IDC also expects screenless health-tracking bands to maintain a durable niche within the broader wearable market, despite pressure on traditional wristband shipments.
This makes the potential Apple vs Whoop competition particularly interesting. WHOOP already has years of experience building its hardware, software, coaching, and membership model around continuous health tracking, while Apple has a much larger health ecosystem connecting Apple Watch, iPhone, the Health app, and third-party services. Apple has also expanded into areas such as Readiness and Health Age, creating more overlap with WHOOP’s recovery and longevity-focused features. A future Apple band could therefore benefit from Apple's existing ecosystem, but it would still need to offer a clear purpose alongside the Apple Watch rather than simply becoming a smartwatch without a screen.
For now, Apple’s reported screenless fitness band remains a concept rather than a confirmed product. WHOOP has already demonstrated that a wearable does not need a display to provide detailed health insights, while Apple brings a broader device ecosystem and established health platform to the table. If Apple eventually launches such a device, its biggest challenge may not be competing with WHOOP on hardware, but proving that a screenless wearable can offer enough value to justify its place alongside the Apple Watch.
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