Smart ring maker Circular unveiled its Ring 3 series on Thursday, introducing a Pro model and a lighter Slim option that both add contactless payments and on-finger vibration alerts to the company’s wearable lineup. The announcement, made on September 3, 2026, comes as competition in the smart ring market intensifies following the launches of the Oura Ring 5 and RingConn Gen 3 earlier this year.
The Ring 3 Pro is positioned as a comprehensive health-tracking device, featuring FDA-cleared ECG for atrial fibrillation (Afib) detection, blood pressure trend tracking, glucose tracking, advanced sleep analysis, and continuous biometric monitoring. It also boasts a slimmer design than its predecessor, the Ring 2, while extending battery life to up to 12 days—a significant jump from the seven days offered on the older model.
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For users who prefer a more streamlined wearable, the Ring 3 Slim drops the advanced clinical features in favor of essential wellness tracking. It monitors sleep, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂), skin temperature, and daily activity, all within a thinner and lighter frame. The Slim model provides up to 10 days of battery life.
Both rings are crafted from titanium steel, offer 50-metre water resistance, and support wireless charging. They will be available in sizes 6 through 14 and come in gold, rose gold, silver, and black finishes, matching the color options of the Ring 2.
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New features: NFC payments and haptic alerts
The headline addition to the Ring 3 series is the integrated NFC chip, enabling wearers to make contactless payments directly from their finger. This places Circular in direct competition with other NFC-enabled smart rings, such as the Oura Ring 5, which added similar functionality in its latest generation.
The on-finger vibration alerts, available on both models, are designed for silent wake-up alarms, medication reminders, vital health alerts, and guided breathing exercises. This haptic feedback system aims to reduce reliance on smartphone notifications while keeping users informed of important health events.
Circular CEO Amaury Kosman emphasized the company’s intent to cater to different user needs. “We understand that not everyone wants every health feature,” he said in a statement shared with TechCrunch. “Many people simply want a beautifully designed, fashionable smart ring that delivers essential wellness insights and effortless contactless payments. That’s why we created Circular Ring 3 Slim—a lighter, more streamlined experience that retains the convenience of secure NFC payments while offering the core health tracking features many users want in an incredibly compact design.”
Market context and outlook
The Ring 3 series arrives during a central year for smart rings. The category has expanded beyond fitness tracking into medical-grade monitoring, with Oura’s FDA-cleared Afib detection and RingConn’s focus on sleep apnea screening. Circular’s inclusion of blood pressure trend tracking and glucose monitoring on the Pro model signals a push toward more clinically relevant metrics, though the company has not detailed the underlying sensor technology.
Pricing and pre-order information for both rings will be announced in the coming months, with availability expected in early 2027. Given the feature set and the premium materials, the Ring 3 Pro is likely to be priced competitively against the Oura Ring 5, which starts at $349, while the Slim could appeal to users seeking a more affordable entry point.
For consumers, the choice between the Pro and Slim will hinge on whether they need advanced health metrics like ECG and glucose tracking or prefer a lighter device with core wellness features. The addition of NFC payments across both models also makes the Ring 3 a more practical everyday accessory, potentially broadening its appeal beyond fitness enthusiasts.
As the smart ring market continues to evolve, Circular’s dual-model strategy reflects a growing recognition that not all users want the same level of health tracking. The coming months will reveal how the company prices these devices and whether it can carve out a distinct position in a segment increasingly crowded with capable rivals.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. The smart ring market is competitive and rapidly evolving; product features, pricing, and availability are subject to change.
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