Garmin CIRQA FCC Filing Analysis: What IPH-04378 Reveals

Update 11 Feb 2026

I’ve given some thought to the recent Garmin CIRQA ‘leaks’. My chain of thought went from one of certainty that this was a Whoop competitor, to bemusement that Garmin would choose an odd name like this (making me think it’s an internal project code), to a FCC filing, which probably is CIRQA.

I’m reasonably sure the information below is generally correct, though I’ve speculated about what the CIRQA name might mean.

I want to discuss three aspects of Garmin CIRQA here:

1. The name – it’s odd.
2. The FCC filing – I’ve spent a day doing a deep dive and believe we can make quite a few inferences (scroll down quite a bit)
3. I also want to dispel some other rumours.

Let’s go.

CIRQA: It’s Not a Real Product Name

The name CIRQA appeared on many regional Garmin sites. However, those sites also displayed a placeholder image of a completely different vehicle camera product and currently display a watch thumbnail at Garmin Chile (10 Feb 2026).

Although the description is clearly for a screenless smart wristband, it’s possible that “CIRQA” was an internal project name.

Q: Why an internal project name?

A: There was a leak of internal project codes about 5 years ago that I covered here. I’m certain Garmin uses internal names that differ from the final product names, such as these more recent examples

• Fenix 8: Austin
• Enduro 3: Peloton
• Forerunner 965: Aquarius

TM vs. ®: The use of TM on the leaked pages confirms Garmin is claiming ownership, but has not yet satisfied the “use in commerce” requirement to gain the ®. OK, the TM designation could be there because they plan to later also have a TM designation on a differently-named product, and CIRQA is still a placeholder name. Possible? Yes. But it’s a contrived argument, and I think the name is real.

Imminence

Further evidence is the Part Number: The leak included a specific part number (010-04675-00). In Garmin’s system, a 010-series number is assigned only to final retail hardware, not to prototypes. This further indicates that CIRQA is a real product and is close to launch, likely already in production. Potentially at the stage where seed reviewers have prototypes.

CIRQA is a Smart Band

Multiple regional listings explicitly stated it was a smart wristband. That was not a typo. I think the arguments against CIRQA being a smart wristband have long since been resolved.

Leaked retail listings and support pages describe a “Smart Band” with no screen, available in two sizes (S/M and L/XL) and lifestyle colours (Black/French Grey).

By using the word ‘smart’, Garmin effectively confirms that CIRQA must have at least an optical HR sensor array. There could well be additional sensors and chips, but that speculation would be tenuous. Here’s some speculation 😉

• Sweat sensor
• Temperature
• HRV
• SpO2
• ANT+/BLE broadcastable and caching

The CIRQA Name Can’t Be Real. Garmin Never Names Products in This Way

I agree with that sentiment; CIRQA is an unusual name for Garmin to use. After all, FORERUNNER is very descriptive (running at the front of the pack), VIVOMOVE implies activity (movement), Edge implies cycling at the edge of your ability, Fenix err well, that’s a dead bird risen from the ashes back to life and then spelt differently. But, hey, birds fly quickly and can go and explore places 🙂 Fenix it is.

To me, CIRQA sounds like the Latin “circa”, which I regularly use when writing to mean approximately or about. In my view, this is a poor name for an optical sensor that needs to be 100% accurate, not ‘about right’. This will definitely be the butt of jokes, and I’m already lining them up and filing them away for future use. The people at Garmin are certainly intelligent, and I don’t believe this alternative meaning escaped their attention. That’s why I have a nagging doubt that the name is not real.

As to what it could mean if this really is the name, the answer probably lies somewhere around the Circadian Rhythm.

Phonics – Cir-Q-A

If you look at the name as a three-part code, this breakdown makes sense:

• CIR: Circadian / Circuit. A 24/7 loop.
• Q: Quantified (optical sensor array). There might be a luxury feel to ‘Q’ as with MARQ.
• A: Analytics or Always-on.

Remember, I said it ‘made sense’. I didn’t say it was any good!

Another realted note is that several non-Garmin ecosystems give feedback on circadian rhythm. e.g. My Eight Sleep suggests it’s best for me to do workouts after 4PM – handily agreeing with what feels best, sadly, every race I do is in the early morning!

The FCC Filing (IPH-04378) is a Golf Range Finder or a new Index Scale

There are various Reddit discussions about an FCC filing for IPH-04378 (test date: May 12, 2025). Let’s say what it isn’t first of all:

1. A new Index scale. Many of the characteristics described in IPH-04378 do fit those of an Index Scale. However, from the SAR Report page 8:

“47CFR §2.1093(b) states, ‘A portable device is defined as a transmitting device designed to be used in other than fixed locations and to generally be used in such a way that the RF source’s radiating structure(s) is/are within 20 centimeters of the body of the user.'”

From SAR Report page 7, note 9:

“Since top/right/left edge of the device are intended for use on user’s hand, extremity SAR is evaluated for these surfaces.”

The SAR Scan Area Size Analysis is a tiny area, namely:

• Face: 100mm x 120mm
• Body/Extremity: 100mm x 160mm

2. A Golf rangefinder. A golf rangefinder would require GPS frequencies (1575 MHz) or laser/optical components (not RF tested), wouldn’t require extremity SAR testing at 0mm skin contact, and wouldn’t be described as “intended for use on the user’s hand” as a worn device is.

3. A watch. The absence of GPS (standard on all Garmin watches from Forerunner to Venu) is the strongest indicator this isn’t a watch, since GPS-based activity tracking is Garmin’s core differentiator in the watch market.

4. Garmin CIRQA – Here’s why the FCC filing is a smart band like Garmin CIRQA:

Tabular analysis: via AI

The strongest signal is that this product is hand- or wrist-worn, in contact with the skin, and supports BLE/ANT+/WiFi, but not GPS. Note: Optical sensors do not require FCC testing, so there is no direct evidence of their existence in these filings—though the leaked product descriptions confirm this is a “smart” band, implying sensor capability.

IPH-04378 Timeline

The core product component configuration was ready 9 months ago, and the FCC filing was submitted earlier this year. Most, but not all, documents are now available. The more interesting documents that will definitively identify the product are not available until July 19th. However, that date can be brought forward if Garmin requests early release, which typically happens when the product is granted and launched. As there is currently no grant, Garmin cannot sell or ship this product in the USA. It can announce it and accept payments in the US and sell it internationally (with caveats), but it cannot ship in the US without a grant.

1. Sep 2024 – Test equipment calibrated
2. Nov 2024 – Validation dipole calibrated
3. May 2025 – Device SAR testing conducted
4. Jun 2025 – SAR report finalised
5. Jan 2, 2026 – FCC filing submitted
6. Jan 20, 2026 – Technical documents released publicly
7. ???????, 2026 – Grant issued (i.e., not issued yet)
8. Jul 19, 2026 – External photos, Internal photos, Test setup photos, Owner manual, ISPI confidentiality expires

Speculation – Sensor Technology (The “Q”)

Garmin patents from 2025/26 describe methods for pulse spectrometry to measure biomarkers such as hydration and metabolic trends.

It is speculatively possible that the Q in CIRQA denotes new Quantification parameters and the arrival of Elevate Gen 6. Perhaps this heralds new sensor-enabled features to put behind the paywall?

Speculation – A Luxury Metal Case Design

There is some evidence that CIRQA has a metal case, which could indicate a potentially Whoop-like luxury design. The RF performance is compatible with premium metal construction using a case-integrated antenna design. The unusually high 2.71 dBi antenna gain—not typical of a small wearable—could indicate a larger metal surface serving as the radiating element rather than a compact PCB-mounted antenna.

Inference & Speculation: A 50mm Module and a Big Battery

The antenna is specified to be more than 2.5cm from both the back and bottom edges. If these refer to opposite ends of the same axis, the device length must exceed 5cm. By comparison, Whoop is about 44mm long. If the module has a standard band width (20-30mm) and depth (10-15mm), a >50mm length would make this a relatively substantial device—potentially accommodating a physically larger battery and superior battery life than other smart bands.

Takeaway

Well, that was fun and took me considerably longer than I had planned. I hope this information helps others trying to understand what CIRQA might be. Please feel free to correct any of the points, and I’ll revise the conclusions.

That said, I can’t see any other outcome than a Whoop competitor. We don’t yet know the capabilities or dates. I would still bet on a launch this month, i.e., tomorrow or next week!

Last Updated on 11 February 2026 by the5krunner

the5krunner

tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.