Circular’s Ring 3 Series Brings Payments to Your Finger
Circular unveils Ring 3 Pro and Slim models with NFC payments, health features, and vibration alerts.
The update
Circular has announced its Ring 3 series, consisting of a Pro model and a Slim option. Both feature an integrated NFC chip for contactless payments and on-finger vibration alerts for alarms, reminders, and guided breathing exercises. The Ring 3 Pro offers FDA-cleared ECG for AFib detection, blood pressure and glucose tracking, and up to 12 days of battery life. The Slim model is thinner and lighter, featuring basic health tracking and up to 10 days of battery life. Both are made from titanium steel, water-resistant, and come in gold, rose gold, silver, and black.
Why it matters
The announcement comes amid heightened competition in the smart ring market, following launches from Oura and RingConn. By adding contactless payments, Circular is positioning its rings not just as health devices but as everyday payment tools, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption of smart rings. The dual-model approach caters to both health-focused users and those seeking more discreet, fashion-forward options.
What to watch
Pricing and preorder details are expected in the coming months, with availability anticipated in early 2027. How the contactless payment security compares to phones and cards remains to be seen. The battery life impact of using NFC and vibration features regularly should be monitored. Whether the slim model’s compromises (no ECG) will affect its appeal is another key question.
Sources
- techcrunch.com — Product announcement details
- theverge.com — Model comparisons and features
- engadget.com — NFC payment implementation
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