Fitbit Air is about to get another rival, this time from a brand for pro athletes

The market for screenless fitness trackers is ballooning, with many manufacturers making subscription-free WHOOP lookalikes, while others are trying to cash in on Google’s entry into the segment with Fitbit Air earlier this year. Even Apple is reportedly working on a screenless tracker, but before it hits the market, the company is developing a similar solution and could launch a screenless fitness band that works with its smartwatches.

Suunto is known for premium, sports-oriented smartwatches with advanced training metrics, and its ambassadors include several professional ultramarathoners and athletes. According to regulatory filings, Suunto may soon join the ranks of companies making screenless fitness trackers. Folks at Wearable Fans recently learned that the Suunto fitness band was certified by the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), and the filing also gives us a look at the tracker’s design and likely features.

For starters, the band carries “HR264” as the model identifier and features a heart rate sensor on the back. While the sensor looks identical to what can also be seen on the recently launched Suunto Run 2, it’s difficult to say whether the two are the same or different.

Based on the images, the band features a compact rectangular design and measures 35 to 40mm in length. The band loops on either side are seemingly made of metal and attached to the body. The width is only about 25mm. The front features Suunto branding at the bottom of the front face, which appears to be shielded under a glass or ceramic coating.

Another picture from the certification shows four band options, including two styles each in two colors: black and gray.

The “HR” in the model number also alludes to this being a simple heart rate tracker, with much of the heavy lifting done by the algorithms and Suunto’s app. The manufacturer offers features such as AI coaching for 24/7 guidance around training and rest, as well as ZoneSense, which delivers a detailed map of heart rate data with different intensity zones.

It’s also speculated that this tracker could be used by athletes during their resting period, while a smartwatch is used during active training. The app could combine data from both devices.

Meanwhile, another Suunto device was recently certified by the FCC, with a model number OW265, where OW means “Outdoor Watch.” The numeric bits are just one digit after this band, suggesting a parallel launch window. However, we lack clarity on when either of the devices could launch.

We’ll ensure to keep you up to date when we learn more details.