Whoop and Fitbit Air rival: Pebble Qore Ultra launches with no subscription and 15-day battery life

Screenless fitness trackers are increasingly emerging as an alternative to traditional smartwatches. With the Qore Ultra, Indian electronics brand Pebble is entering this market as well – and the device targets the same segment as Whoop and the Fitbit Air, which was unveiled in May (currently around $95 on Amazon). The Indian Pebble brand should not be confused with the smartwatch manufacturer of the same name: The Qore Ultra is made by SRK Powertech Private Limited.

Fitness band without a subscription

Since there is no display, all readings are shown through the companion smartphone app. There, users can view their “Sleep Score,” “Activity Score” and “Readiness Score” – ratings for sleep quality, daily activity and current recovery or resilience. AI Health Insights are also included, analyzing sleep, activity and health data to provide personalized recommendations. Perhaps the biggest advantage over many competitors is that, according to Pebble, these insights do not require a paid subscription.

Measurements are taken using four optical sensors and a 6-axis motion sensor. This allows the fitness band to track metrics including heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen saturation, stress, respiratory rate and body temperature. Sleep tracking and VO₂ max measurements are also included. With “Body Age” and “Body Energy,” Pebble also attempts to translate the collected data into more easily understandable indicators of physical condition. However, it is currently difficult to assess how accurate the sensors are. Pebble does not mention any independent clinical validation.

More than 100 sports modes, up to 15 days of battery life

With more than 100 sports modes, the Qore Ultra is designed to cover activities including running, cycling, swimming, strength training, hiking and yoga. The band is even supposed to recognize some activities automatically. However, it does not have a built-in GPS module. Routes are instead recorded using the GPS of the connected smartphone.

In addition to its subscription-free insights, there is another advantage: battery life. According to the manufacturer, the Qore Ultra can last up to 15 days. This puts it slightly ahead of the Whoop 5.0, which is rated for more than 14 days, and well ahead of the Fitbit Air, which Google rates for up to seven days.

Initially launching only in India

The Pebble Qore Ultra was unveiled on September 29 and is set to become available in India starting October 2. It comes in Forest Black, Coastal Blue and Desert Gold. The band will normally cost 5,999 rupees, equivalent to around $65. At launch, however, the Qore Ultra will be available for 5,499 rupees (around $59). There are currently no indications of an official launch in the US or other countries. Since Pebble has so far primarily sold its wearables in its home market of India, an international launch currently appears rather unlikely.