Circular unveils Ring 3 lineup, featuring NFC payments and tactile notifications

Circular revealed on Thursday that its upcoming Ring 3 series of smart rings will come in two versions—a Pro edition and a slimmer alternative. Each model will house an NFC chip that lets wearers conduct contactless payments straight from the ring, and both will emit vibrations for alarms, reminders and other notifications.

The addition of near‑field communication makes the Ring 3 one of the rare wearables capable of standing in for a smartphone or card in routine transactions. Circular says the built‑in chip is compatible with mainstream payment networks, enabling the ring to operate much like a contactless credit card while still offering the biometric security inherent to Circular’s devices.

Beyond payments, the new rings will provide haptic cues for various alerts, ranging from calendar appointments to health‑related prompts. The Pro variant is slated to include a bigger battery and an expanded sensor array, whereas the Slim version emphasizes a discreet, low‑profile fit on the finger. Both models will allow on‑finger vibration patterns that users can tailor through Circular’s companion app.

The debut comes as the smart‑ring sector keeps growing, with rivals such as Oura and Motiv enhancing health‑tracking features. By introducing payment and alert capabilities, Circular seeks to set its lineup apart and attract consumers who want a more all‑encompassing, always‑available gadget that lessens dependence on phones and conventional wearables.

Circular noted that the Ring 3 series will open for limited pre‑order later this month, with full release planned for early next year. Its roadmap hints at additional software updates to polish the payment function and broaden third‑party integration, reinforcing its goal of turning the ring into a core hub for daily digital interactions.