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| The Pebble Qore Ultra does not require a subscription. |
Screenless fitness trackers are slowly becoming a real alternative to traditional smartwatches. Instead of another screen on your wrist, they focus on sensors, recovery data, and long battery life. Indian electronics brand Pebble is now joining that trend with the Qore Ultra, a band aimed at the same users who might consider a Whoop or the Fitbit Air, which arrived in May and is currently priced at around $95 on Amazon.
One important note: this Indian Pebble is not the same company as the smartwatch maker with a similar name. The Qore Ultra is made by SRK Powertech Private Limited.
No display, no subscription
The Qore Ultra has no screen at all. Every reading is shown through the companion smartphone app, where users can check their Sleep Score, Activity Score, and Readiness Score. These scores are designed to rate sleep quality, daily movement, and current recovery or resilience.
Pebble also includes AI Health Insights, which analyze sleep, activity, and health data to offer personalized recommendations. The biggest selling point may be that, according to Pebble, these insights do not require a paid subscription. More details are available on the Pebble Qore Ultra product page.
What it tracks
The band uses four optical sensors and a 6-axis motion sensor. That setup allows it to monitor heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen saturation, stress, respiratory rate, and body temperature. Sleep tracking and VO₂ max measurements are included as well.
Pebble also adds two simpler indicators: Body Age and Body Energy. These are meant to translate raw health data into something easier to understand. Still, it is hard to say how accurate the sensors really are. Pebble does not mention any independent clinical validation, so real-world testing will matter.
Sports modes and GPS
With more than 100 sports modes, the Qore Ultra is built for activities such as running, cycling, swimming, strength training, hiking, and yoga. The band can even recognize some workouts automatically.
There is one catch for outdoor athletes: the Qore Ultra does not have built-in GPS. Instead, routes are recorded using the GPS of the connected smartphone.
Battery life beats some rivals
Battery life is another strong point. Pebble says the Qore Ultra can last up to 15 days on a charge. That 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.
India launch and pricing
The Pebble Qore Ultra was unveiled on September 29 and will go on sale in India starting October 2. It comes in Forest Black, Coastal Blue, and Desert Gold. The regular price is 5,999 rupees, or roughly $65. At launch, it will be available for 5,499 rupees, about $59.
For now, there is no official word on a US or global launch. Since Pebble has mainly sold its wearables in India, an international release currently looks unlikely.