A Fresh Type of Garmin Wearable Might Be Coming Soon!
Recent leaks have sparked excitement around the potential release of a new type of stylish wearable from Garmin.
What’s the buzz about? It’s all centered on screenless trackers, a trend that has gained traction thanks to the well-known Whoop band series, which has made waves in the fitness community.
Interestingly, a listing for a product called the Cirque Smart Band briefly appeared on Garmin’s Canadian website before being taken down. Fortunately, someone managed to take a screenshot of this listing before it vanished, providing a glimpse into what might be on the horizon.
Adding to the intrigue, a reliable source in the wearables space, DC Rainmaker, is rumored to be testing this new device. A now-deleted Instagram post showcased a partially obscured wearable on his upper arm, leading to speculation that he may be trying out the Garmin Cirque alongside the latest Whoop 5.0 model.
Is this definitive proof? Not quite; it’s more of an educated guess based on available information.
Additionally, a screengrab of a Google search for the Cirque Smart Band revealed an image, although it seems to be a placeholder rather than a true representation of the final product.
What can we glean from the deleted product page? It appears that the Garmin Cirque will likely be offered in two sizes—small/medium and large/extra-large—and will come in two color options: Black and French Grey.
Typically, wearables like these can be worn on various parts of the body, including the wrist and upper arm; some models, like the Whoop 5.0, can even be fastened around the waist, torso, or leg.
What’s particularly fascinating about the rise of screenless wearables is how they are marketed differently compared to the original approach taken by Whoop. In its early stages, Whoop primarily served as a recovery tool, helping athletes monitor their training intensity and avoid overexertion. Over time, however, it has evolved into a comprehensive wellness device, featuring advanced functions such as ECG readings and heart rate irregularity alerts.
I spoke with Polar’s CEO, Sander Herring, last year, and he emphasized that a major draw of these new wearables lies in their ability to reduce screen time for users.
Changes in Garmin’s recent offerings suggest that the upcoming Cirque Smart Band may cater more to holistic health enthusiasts rather than just the hardcore athletic demographic that Garmin typically targets. Just recently, Garmin introduced nutrition tracking capabilities for subscribers of its Connect+ platform, allowing users to monitor their food intake and nutritional information more effectively.
Moreover, the Cirque Smart Band won’t be Garmin’s only venture into screenless devices. Last year, the company launched the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor, a specialized sleep tracking band designed to be worn on the upper arm.
So, when can we expect the Garmin Cirque Smart Band to hit the market? The now-removed listing hinted at a launch timeframe of "4-5 months," pointing towards a possible release in May or June. However, there’s speculation that an official announcement could come as soon as February, which seems plausible considering that creating a webpage for a product nearly six months prior to its launch feels somewhat unusual.
Are you excited about the potential of screenless wearables? What features would you want to see in a new Garmin tracker? Share your thoughts below!
