At the IFA tech event in Berlin, Circular introduced the Ring 3 Pro and Ring 3 Slim smart rings. Both deliver contactless payment capability and haptic feedback, while the Pro includes an FDA-cleared ECG sensor for atrial fibrillation detection, highlighting differing regulatory challenges between the US and Europe.
- Ring 3 Pro offers FDA-cleared ECG and atrial fibrillation detection
- Both models support contactless payments and haptic alerts
- European medical device certification status remains unconfirmed
What happened
Circular has announced two new smart rings at the IFA technology show in Berlin: the Ring 3 Pro and the Ring 3 Slim. Both rings introduce features such as contactless payments and haptic feedback alerts, expanding the utility of wearable technology beyond fitness tracking. The company has yet to announce pricing, release dates, or regional availability, but indicated they will be available in the coming months with preorder options.
The standout feature of the Pro model is its medical-grade electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for detecting atrial fibrillation. The Slim, designed with a more minimalist approach, lacks medical monitoring functions but retains the core convenience elements. Material choices differ between the two, with titanium on the Pro and coated resin on the Slim, and both offer impressive battery life ranging from 10 to 12 days.
Why it matters
While the FDA clearance provides regulatory confidence for the ECG feature in the US market, the situation in Europe is more complex. European Union medical device regulations (MDR) demand a separate conformity assessment and CE marking for medical devices, including ECG sensors intended to detect arrhythmias. FDA authorization does not automatically satisfy these requirements, posing a potential barrier for Circular’s expansion in Europe.
This distinction highlights a broader challenge for wearable health technology companies operating globally. The classification depends heavily on the intended medical purpose claimed by the manufacturer, affecting marketing and user interface design. Circular’s Paris-based origin adds pressure to clarify compliance with European rules, especially since its wellness features—such as blood pressure and glucose trend estimates—walk a fine line between health monitoring and general wellness, which is more tightly regulated in Europe.
What to watch next
Key points to monitor going forward include Circular’s progress on obtaining the necessary CE marking under EU medical device regulations for the Ring 3 Pro’s ECG functionality. Without this regulatory clearance, the device may face restrictions or delays in the European market despite its American FDA clearance. Updates about pricing, release dates, and regional rollouts will further inform the device's commercial viability.
Additionally, the industry will be watching how Circular balances subscription-free usage and advanced features in its ecosystem, especially given that some medical functions are time-limited within its app. Competitive positioning against other smart rings, like Oura—which reportedly earns royalties from Circular’s US sales—will also be important for market dynamics in wearable health tech.