![\"Garmin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Garmin-Logo-at-CES-2025-1-of-1.jpg\"\/ "\\"Garmin"){kind=logo}
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C. Scott Brown \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve already seen the Galaxy S26 series<\/a> and the Pixel 10a<\/a> this year, with a lot more to come. We\u2019ll see the Pixel 11, the OnePlus 16, and the usual cadence of tablets and high-end buds.<\/p>\n While these are all fantastic devices, they don\u2019t excite me at all. Yearly upgrades have become so minimal that if your current phone or watch is less than three years old \u2014 even more in a lot of cases \u2014 there\u2019s almost no reason to switch. My current electronics lineup is fresh, and I have exactly zero intention of dropping $1,000 on a new slab of glass just for a 10% faster processor and a slightly better telephoto lens. I also have no intention of buying a new tablet, headphones, or a laptop this year.<\/p>\n However, there is one device rumored for 2026 that has me ready to pull out my wallet: the Garmin Cirqa<\/a>.<\/p>\n Are you exited for the upcoming Garmin Cirqa?<\/p>\n 28 votes<\/p>\n From Forerunner to Cirqa<\/p>\n Jimmy Westenberg \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n I currently wear a Garmin Forerunner 745. It\u2019s a workhorse that tracks my steps, runs, sleep, heart rate, and stress with precision. But my relationship with it has changed. I\u2019ve stopped using it as a smartwatch and started using it as a data provider.<\/p>\n I\u2019m relying on features like Body Battery<\/a> more than ever to optimize my health. But to get accurate data, I have to wear this relatively bulky sports watch 24\/7. It\u2019s not comfortable at night, it looks out of place with a suit or a nice dinner outfit, and frankly, I\u2019m tired of having yet another screen demanding my attention.<\/p>\n What I really want is the Whoop experience \u2014 a screenless, distraction-free band that disappears on the wrist \u2014 but I have two major dealbreakers with this specific product.<\/p>\n The subscription: I absolutely loathe the \u201chardware-as-a-service\u201d model. Whoop essentially rents you your own data. Using it for years results in a hefty bill. The good news is that Garmin\u2019s upcoming device will likely solve both of these problems for me.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n Say hello to the Garmin Cirqa<\/p>\n Jimmy Westenberg \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n The Cirqa is Garmin\u2019s direct answer to the Whoop. Based on recent leaks<\/a> from Garmin\u2019s own regional websites, we know it\u2019s a smart band (not a watch), which almost certainly points to a screenless design. It will reportedly come in two sizes (S\/M and L\/XL) and two colors: black and a sophisticated French Gray.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s why it\u2019s my must-buy:<\/p>\n One-time purchase: Garmin hasn\u2019t historically paywalled its metrics. If the Cirqa follows the Garmin tradition, I\u2019ll buy the hardware once and own my data forever. Granted, there are already several Whoop competitors out there that don\u2019t charge a subscription, although none quite hit the mark for a Garmin loyalist like me. The Amazfit Helio Strap<\/a> is a popular choice, for example. At $100, it\u2019s a steal, but our reviews noted a few issues. Battery life, while decent at 10 days, is still way below what the Whoop offers. And in any case, I\u2019ve had bad experiences with Amazfit smartwatches in the past, so I\u2019d rather stay away from the brand. There are others as well, like Polar Loop, which I don\u2019t find as appealing as the upcoming smart band by Garmin.<\/p>\n The Garmin Cirqa hasn\u2019t been officially announced yet, but with the leaks appearing in late January, a May or June launch seems likely. It\u2019s the first time in years I\u2019ve been excited about a wearable \u2014 not because it does more, but because it does exactly what I need while doing less.<\/p>\n![\"Garmin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Garmin-Forerunner-745-heart-rate-zones-2-scaled.jpg\"\/ "\\"Garmin")
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\nThe ecosystem: I\u2019ve spent years in the Garmin Connect ecosystem. Moving to a new system means losing my historical trends and learning a whole new data language. I\u2019d prefer to stick with what I know and am used to.<\/p>\n![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768233971_656_google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png\"\/ "\\"google"){kind=icon}
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768233972_401_google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png\"\/ "\\"google"){kind=icon}
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"whoop](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/whoop-strap-3.0-review-black-onyx-strap.jpg\"\/ "\\"whoop")
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\nDistraction-free: No notifications, no glowing screen in bed, no \u201cmove\u201d alerts on my wrist. I\u2019ll check the stats on my phone once or twice a day and then go back to living my life.
\nThe fashion factor: It\u2019s slim enough to hide under a shirt and stylish enough to wear with just about any outfit.<\/p>\n