Polar’s upcoming wearable skips the screen and the subscription, aiming straight at Whoop and Oura with a simpler, one-time purchase approach.

From Polar PR:

Polar, a global pioneer in wearable sports and fitness technology for nearly 50 years, is launching a brand-new product and category this September. The upcoming Polar wearable will not only be the brand’s first screen-free wrist device, but it will also be a subscription-free alternative to other health bands and fitness trackers on the market.

This is very likely an alternative to fitness trackers like the Whoop or the Oura Ring: a screenless device that tracks your different health metrics and synchronizes them with an app.

Not relying on a subscription is probably the biggest selling point. The $6 per month for the Oura, or the $200 per year (that's the starting price) for the Whoop, are what most people criticize whenever they look at one of these things.

Also, it really comes down to how useful the app is. I mentioned this in my updated Oura review, but even a well-designed app can feel confusing at times. If Polar nails an experience that shows just the right amount of data to help you make actual health decisions, they might have a shot at becoming the new standard, like they are for heart rate sensors in running.

We'll learn more about this new device in September, but you can sign up for more news on Polar's website.