revisit a product , sometimes months down the line after I ab initio review it , can be really enjoyable . I found Istill liked the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Prowhen I wear out it for weeks again . And I realize that theAmazon Fire Max 11 is still a fantastic purchasea year after I first tried it out . So , when arevised Circular Ring Slimcame along after a few months , I was very dandy to get it back on my finger .
You see , the firstCircular Ring Slimhas one of the lowest score I ’ve ever given to a ware in a review , and I really wanted to change it for the better . alas , I gave the Ring Slim a second chance , and it rewarded me with just as much disappointment as — plus a lilliputian bit more than — the first time around .
Does it look any different?
The only visual clue that signals you ’re looking at the updated Circular Ring Slim is the logo on the ring ’s airfoil . It has gone from being the very obvious white logotype to one that pit the colour of the ring , so it ’s much less detectable . It ’s a sensible variety and really the good thing about the Modern Ring Slim .
Circular say it has improved the scratch - immune coating on the mob , but having worn the new simulation for only about three week , I ca n’t see any improvement . The undersurface of the band has already had the finish worn away around the bound , and also picked up a few aerofoil dough in the same field too . During the metre I ’ve wear the ring , I have not gripped dumbbells , wax rock face , or done anything that I would expect to expunge the ring . It does n’t forecast well for the future .
Otherwise , the Ring Slim is likely identical to the premature version , although I will say the finish of the mob ’s inner section does appear to be of higher character than before . It ’s very light , and while I do find the prostrate underside keep the tintinnabulation right orientated on your finger , it ’s not the most comfortable design . Hardware - wise , the only positive thing I can muster up to say about the revised model is the logotype is n’t as detectable .
Circular
What about the app?
I had various app issues when I reviewed the Circular Ring Slim . I ’m happy to account that , this clock time , the app has been reliable and I have not had any connection issues either . I ’ve even successfully swop between phones , and because the app maintain information store in the cloud , very little setup was required .
It ’s a good start , but most of what I did n’t like about the app remains . It still takes far too long to sync data from the pack , upload it to the cloud , treat it , and then update the graph in the app . The waiting stretches into many moment , and even then the data does n’t get “ crunched ” directly — forcing you to ensure again later to see your lashings . TheOura Ringdoes it all in a thing of seconds . The two - calendar week “ getting to know you ” period is irritatingly long and , unfit , it does n’t seem to make for a better , more personal experience once it concludes .
Here ’s an exemplar . The app sent more notifications to my phone this metre , and all exposedthat it had no clue about my routine . Most days I wake to find a notification tell me it was my ideal window to eat , a message sent at around 6 a.m .. How it figure this out , I have no idea , as I never get up at that time and never went to bed before midnight . Even if it ’s correct , I am not getting up at that time to eat breakfast , so the “ advice ” is useless . The Ring Slim often miscalculated my sleep , too , differing by hours from the Oura Ring and my own awareness of my slumber clip .
Circular
None of this made me trust the Ring Slim , and if this is the level of advice and insight it will give long term , there ’s no boost to get into it . It ’s not a wear - and - leave overbold band either , as the battery only lasts three daytime at the most , and the charger is still the same badly designed one as before .
Subscription and price confusion
Perhaps the most irksome thing about the Circular Ring is the lack of transparency around its subscription - devoid nature . It says in various places on Circular ’s website that the ring and app have no subscription at all and will always be free . Except in the app , it ’s clear that have like medication reminder will have a cost attached in the future , and even Circular admits a subscription is being considered . Yet , after reduplicate questions on the subject field , the ship’s company has n’t provide steady details or altered any of its messaging .
The spot simply is n’t clear at all , and this isterriblefor consumers . It ’s something I brought up in my original inspection and discussed in a subsequent interview with the team , but gained piddling clarification about the position at the clock time . onwards of writing this article , I reach the company again and require for answers about the subscription and the mysterious “ coin ” system in the app . It means the company has had four months to cultivate these important thing out . This is the response :
“ Circular presently operates a buy - once model , where client get full access to its current features within the app . All basic measure will always be loose to the substance abuser ; however , the company is considering a premium model for forward-looking features it will set in motion in the future , as well as the two recently announced features — advanced analysis and medication reminder — that are in today ’s app .
Circular
There is no timeline or pricing available at present as it is still under thoughtfulness , however , any changes will be communicate well in forward motion should they move in the lead with this mannikin . It is crucial to take down that the majority of the health monitoring and trailing elements in today ’s app ( with the exclusion of the two mentioned above ) will always be complimentary with the leverage of a gang . No customers will be forced into a premium subscription , and Circular Coins can be redeemed for premium services should they be bring in . ”
The Medication Reminder lineament that will have a price attached sometime in the future is available in the app to use for free now , and it ’s quite good as it uses the Ring Slim ’s vibration motor to remind you . I found it helpful as it ’s insufferable to miss the shakiness alert . It ’s really the best affair I try in the app , and to be intimate it ’s only loose until the company decides it wo n’t be , and for an unknown amount of money , make me quite angry .
round is not being gauze-like about its pricing , what data it intends to charge for in the futurity , what the in - app currency will pay for , or how far it will go — despite take months to make up one’s mind . There ’s no additional toll for the Circular Ring Slimtoday , but that could modify at any fourth dimension , and the cost will be a complete surprise .
Circular should make it clear to potential purchaser today what it intends to charge for a subscription when it will come into place , and what features wo n’t be include if you do n’t pay . It’sessential , and without this information , you ’d be silly to buy it over another smart ring with transparent pricing , subscription package required or not .
Bad before, still bad today
Do n’t be fool into retrieve the “ updated ” Circular Ring Slim makes it a ripe product or that the company has fixed the many job with the app , the computer hardware , and the pricing structure . I ’ve wear the Circular Ring Slim , both the first and the new interlingual rendition , for many weeks and really ca n’t tell the difference .
But the worst part of all this is the pose unfitness to clarify the on-going price of possession . Sure , theOura Ringhas a subscription , but you recognise how much it is , what it admit , and what you get if you do n’t payright from the very head start . There ’s no equivocalness and no giddy in - app currency to think about . TheSamsung Galaxy Ringdoes not have a subscription , andSamsung has been very clearthat it does not intend to introduce one for the ring as it is today .
The Circular Ring Slim , whether it has a ashen logotype or a non-white one , is still a 3/10 product , and you really should n’t buy it . Not only because the company is n’t being open with you about the costs demand long - term , but because there are now two other smart ring you may corrupt that are far proficient in absolutely every appreciable way .
