Circular unveils Ring 3 lineup, featuring contactless payments and haptic notifications

On Thursday, Circular revealed its newest smart‑ring family, the Ring 3 series, which will be offered in two versions—a Pro edition and a thinner model. Each ring embeds an NFC chip allowing users to conduct contactless payments straight from the device, and both will emit vibrations for alarms, reminders and other alerts.

By integrating near‑field communication, the Ring 3 joins a small group of wearables capable of substituting a phone or card for routine purchases. The firm says the built‑in chip is compatible with mainstream payment networks, letting the ring operate like a contactless credit card while preserving the biometric security that Circular’s products normally provide.

Beyond its payment function, the rings will offer haptic feedback for various notifications, such as calendar entries and health reminders. The Pro variant is slated to house a bigger battery and an expanded array of sensors, whereas the Slim version emphasizes a sleek, low‑profile form that fits unobtrusively on the finger. Both models reportedly allow on‑finger vibration patterns that users can tailor via Circular’s companion app.

The debut comes amid a growing smart‑ring sector, where rivals like Oura and Motiv are emphasizing health‑monitoring capabilities. By introducing payment and notification functions, Circular seeks to set its lineup apart and attract consumers who want a more all‑encompassing, constantly accessible gadget that lessens dependence on smartphones and conventional wearables.

Circular noted that the Ring 3 series will open a limited pre‑order window later this month, with wider release planned for early next year. Its roadmap hints at additional software upgrades to polish the payment workflow and broaden third‑party integration options, highlighting the goal of turning the ring into a primary hub for daily digital activities.