Apple Is Working On a Screenless Health Band

Apple Is Working On a Screenless Health Band That Could Differ From the Apple Watch

Apple is developing prototypes of a band with sensors and a fabric strap that would dispense with a screen, focusing instead on health and physical activity.

Apple is developing prototypes of a health and fitness tracking band that would forgo a screen entirely. The device, similar in concept to Whoop’s products, is part of an exploration into new wearable categories through which the company aims to expand and rethink its strategy in the wearable device market.

According to Bloomberg, the project is still in an early stage of technological research, and Apple has not yet decided whether it will ultimately turn it into a commercial product.

Furthermore, sources consulted by the outlet indicate that the initiative has the backing of top executives at the company, although even if it receives the green light, its launch would not take place before 2028.

A band that would function without a screen

The prototypes Apple is testing use a thin fabric strap that incorporates a computing module and various sensors to record data related to physical activity and health.

The absence of a screen would be one of the main differences compared to the Apple Watch. The company’s smartwatch combines tracking sensors with an interface that allows users to view information, use apps, receive notifications, and perform other functions directly from the wrist.

In contrast, the new device would be conceived primarily as a tracking system. Its operation would be closer to the concept used by Whoop, whose offering focuses on collecting data related to fitness and recovery without relying on a conventional screen.

The final specifications of the prototype and the set of sensors Apple might include in an eventual commercial version are not yet known.

Apple monitors the growth of Whoop and Oura

The exploration of this category comes as Apple maintains a major position in the smartwatch market—especially in the United States—while facing the rise of products taking a more specialized approach to health and fitness.

Among these are Whoop’s bands and Oura’s smart rings. Both companies have gained millions of users with devices that streamline visible features and place the tracking of activity and wellness metrics at the core of the experience.

This trend has led Apple to evaluate a concept distinct from the Apple Watch. Rather than adding more features to a watch with a display, the company is studying a simpler device focused on data collection.

Tim Cook and Eddy Cue back the project

The project has reportedly drawn particular interest from Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO and board chair, and Eddy Cue, the company’s head of services.

Cue assumed oversight of Apple’s health initiatives late last year and has encouraged the team to analyze features found in competing products from Whoop and Oura.

This strategy is also unfolding during a period of leadership changes within the watch and health teams. Jeff Williams, former chief operating officer who oversaw these areas, retired late last year. Other departures include Stan Ng, who led marketing for the Apple Watch and health, and Jay Blahnik, who was responsible for fitness strategy.

A project that might still never reach the market

Although Apple has been working in this space for several months, the project remains in a preliminary phase. The company still needs to determine whether there is enough market interest to turn the prototype into a consumer product.

Sources cited by Bloomberg note that if Apple ultimately approves its release, the device would not hit the market before 2028.

The concept would mark a significant departure from the Apple Watch: a wearable designed to gather health and activity data without the need for a built-in screen. For now, however, it remains an active development project rather than a confirmed Apple product.

Links

• Apple Is Working on a Screenless Fitness Band – MacRumors
• Sell pre-owned Apple Watch online – iGotOffer
• Everything About Apple’s Products – The complete guide to all Apple consumer electronic products, including technical specifications, identifiers and other valuable information.

Apple’s NEW Screenless Fitness Tracker Is Coming: Everything We Know So Far [Video]

Video uploaded by 9to5Mac on September 23, 2026.