Circular unveils Series 3 smart rings with NFC payments
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
Circular has unveiled its Series 3 smart ring at IFA, adding NFC mobile payments to its health-tracking wearable line-up for the first time. The move means users no longer need to choose between a health-tracking ring and a payment device, positioning Circular against rivals in an increasingly crowded smart ring market ahead of the holiday shopping season, though pricing and availability have not yet been confirmed and are promised "in the coming months."
The range comes in two versions: the Ring 3 Pro (6.8mm wide, 2.78mm thick), which supports Visa and Mastercard payments and reintroduces a vibration motor for silent alarms and reminders, and the lighter Ring 3 Slim (5.9mm wide, 2.35mm thick), which sacrifices the ECG sensor and haptic motor to weigh roughly half as much. Both are made from titanium, water resistant to 50 metres, available in sizes six to 14, and ship with a charging case housing a 700mAh battery, though the larger Pro will yield fewer full charges. Battery life has nearly doubled to 12 days, while familiar Series 2 features carry over, including sleep and activity tracking, blood pressure and glucose trend monitoring, and the Pro's single-line ECG.
- Circular's Series 3 ring adds NFC payments via Visa and Mastercard
- Two models: full-featured Ring 3 Pro and lighter Ring 3 Slim
- Battery life nearly doubles to 12 days; price and release date still unannounced
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Circular is one of several companies competing in the smart ring market, a fast-growing category of small, screen-free wearables worn on the finger that track things like sleep, heart activity and blood oxygen without needing a watch or phone strapped to the wrist. Until now, buyers typically had to pick between a health-tracking ring and a separate payment-enabled ring or card, since few devices combined both functions.
The company unveiled its latest model, the Series 3, at IFA, a major consumer electronics trade show held annually in Berlin where manufacturers often showcase new gadgets ahead of the end-of-year shopping period. This launch matters because it brings contactless payment technology (NFC, the same short-range wireless system used for tap-to-pay cards and phones) into Circular's health-tracking rings for the first time, potentially reducing the need to carry a separate card or device just to pay for things.
Smart rings sit within the broader wearable technology industry, alongside smartwatches and fitness bands, and are marketed partly on being smaller and less obtrusive. Pricing and release timing for the Series 3 have not yet been announced, which is relevant context for readers wondering when or whether the product will actually reach shops.
More coverage
- TechCrunch — Circular unveils Ring 3 series with contactless payments and on-finger vibration alerts
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Originally published by Engadget as “Circular brings mobile payments to its 3 Series smart ring”.