Deep Dive Digest #23: Garmin CIRQA Band Reviewed, CIRQA *RING* Incoming & the Market Shifts
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The Garmin CIRQA full review is on site. It scores a solid 9 out of 10 for its normal uses as a daily tracker and recovery monitor. Worn on the wrist for everyday use and on the bicep during sport, it delivers on what Garmin designed it to do.
A new certification filing suggests Garmin is in the advanced stages of working on a CIRQA smart RING, possibly launching in Q4.2026. CIRQA as a platform rather than a single device changes the commercial logic of the launch considerably.
Garmin’s global smartwatch share has jumped from 11% to 15% in a year, drawing level with Samsung according to Omdia data. That is a meaningful shift in a market where Garmin moves from the ‘others’ category to be named by itself.
Elsewhere: Google Pixel Watch 5 arrived on 12 August with post-processing GPS that Google claims is the best it has built. The methodology behind that claim is examined. Wahoo has split its app into three subscription tiers from 12 August, also adding a 3DP running metric at the entry price point. Amazfit has confirmed the T-Rex Dual Solar name in a Malaysian certification filing, its first solar smartwatch. Amazfit has also pushed FTMS rowing and manual swim rest tracking in a firmware update.
the Garmin CIRQA Review: Should I buy it?
Garmin CIRQA tested against WHOOP, Fitbit Air, Polar Loop and Amazfit Helio on accuracy, battery, price and features. It excels almost everywhere except two specific wrist scenarios, easily fixed by moving it to the biceps. At $199.99 with no compulsory subscription, here’s who should buy it and who shouldn’t.
Garmin Draws Level With Samsung in Global Smartwatch Share
Garmin’s smartwatch share has jumped from 11% to 15% in a year, according to Omdia, pulling it level with Samsung behind Apple. Here’s what the numbers actually show, and what they leave out.
Tacx NEO 2T with Zwift Cog and Click Priced at $1,099.99
Garmin has given the Tacx NEO 2T with Zwift Cog and Click bundle its own price and product listing. It costs $1,099.99 and ships ready to ride in Zwift and ROUVY.
Pixel Watch 5 best ever GPS? what’s the point of postprocessing accuracy?
Google reckons the Pixel Watch 5 has the best GPS route tracking it has ever built, and it may well be right. The catch is when it arrives.
Google Pixel Watch 5: All you need to know
The Pixel Watch 5 arrived on 12 August and reaches shops on 20 August. Put it next to last year’s model and you will struggle to tell them apart: same case, same screen, same two days between charges. Everything that changed is inside. The one worth knowing about is what…
Wahoo App Splits Into Three Subscription Tiers, Adds 3DP Running Metric
Wahoo is splitting the Wahoo App into three subscription tiers from 12 August, adding a $4.99 Core plan between the free Base tier and the existing $17.99 Pro plan. New features include a 3DP running profile and a COROS integration.
Amazfit T-Rex Dual Solar Name Confirmed in Filing
A Malaysian certification has confirmed the name of Amazfit’s first solar smartwatch. It arrives into a category no rival has solved: solar and AMOLED still don’t mix.
reMarkable Paper Pure student review: what a 16-year-old actually thinks
A 16-year-old tested the reMarkable Paper Pure through eight structured sessions covering notes, PDF annotation, and distraction. Here is whether it is worth £359 for students aged 16 to 21.
Amazfit gains FTMS rowing and manual swim rest tracking
Amazfit has pushed manual rest swim tracking, an Always Locked touchscreen mode, Athlete Defaults and FTMS rowing machine connectivity to eight watches, including Concept2 RowErg support.
August 2026 update: Garmin Rumours, Leaks & Speculation plus Insights & dates for all new models plus Apple, Coros, Polar, Suunto, Wahoo
Explore Garmin’s 2026 lineup, including Fenix 9, Edge 1060, and competitors like Coros, Suunto, Polar. Key trends: LTE, microLED, satellite connectivity.
Garmin CIRQA Band: Is its sleep data accurate? A 2-Week Test
Yes, broadly, at least for total sleep duration. CIRQA’s night-to-night timing holds up well against five other trackers over 15 nights, but its sleep-stage breakdown shows no consistent pattern, which is typical for a wrist-worn device.
The Deep Dive Podcast
Listen to one of our recent discussions on the Deep Dive podcast – EP78 Garmin CIRQA: Top 3 Reviews Summarised and Compared
Browse every edition in the Deep Dive Digest archive.
Previous edition: Deep Dive Digest #22
Last Updated on 21 August 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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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. ID
