The name shows up in several parts of the app code. This includes a dedicated device definition and sensor registration support, making the finding considerably more interesting than a single leftover string.

Polar H12 is hiding inside Flow

We took a closer look at Polar Flow 7.36.2 to see whether the latest release contained any hints about upcoming hardware. Polar officially describes this version as a relatively minor update that fixes connectivity issues, but there is more sitting under the surface.

One of the more interesting entries is a device specification class named PolarSensorGardener.

Inside it are the names Polar H12 and H12.

That alone would be worth noting, but there is considerably more supporting evidence. The app identifies the device as a heart-rate sensor, allows it to be registered as a sensor and includes it among devices considered published by Flow’s internal device-handling logic.

H12 also appears in Polar Flow’s sensor registration code alongside familiar products including H6, H7, H9, H10, Polar Pro, OH1 and Sense. Another part of the app includes H12 among the sensors that support Polar’s Fitness Test.

The Gardener class is particularly interesting because parts of it still look unfinished. It contains placeholder product text including Polar xxx Heart Rate Sensor and Polar xxx, while one of the support links still points to information for the existing H10.

That combination suggests Polar has created a working device profile before completing all the consumer-facing information.

H12 would make sense as an H10 successor

Polar currently lists three main heart-rate sensors on its official sensor page: the H9, H10 and Verity Sense. There is no H12.

The H10 has also been around for a long time. We reviewed the device back in 2017, so a new higher-end chest sensor would hardly be unexpected after nearly a decade.

What H12 might actually add is impossible to tell from the current code. There are no obvious specifications covering battery life, connectivity or new sensing capabilities.

One other question is whether this has anything to do with the recently filed Polar Pulse trademark. The company made its filing in Europe on July 9, followed by a US filing on July 15. The paperwork covers things such as wearable devices, biometric measurements, software and exercise coaching, so it is broad enough to cover quite a few possibilities.

Naturally, that makes you wonder whether Polar Pulse and H12 are connected. We checked the Flow code for the name, but found nothing tying Polar Pulse to H12 or the Gardener codename. So for now, these look like two separate leads rather than pieces of the same puzzle.

H12 is still the more interesting one. Polar Flow already has a dedicated device profile and explicit sensor support for it, which is much more concrete than a trademark filing. We still do not know when it might launch, what it adds over the H10, or whether H12 will even be the final retail name.

APK teardown note

This article is based on an APK teardown. Code found inside an app can reveal features or devices that are under development, but there is no guarantee they will appear in a future public release.

This article originally appeared on Gadgets & Wearables, the first media outlet to report the story.

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In this article we compare Garmin CIRQA, Google Fitbit Air, Amazfit Helio Strap, WHOOP 5.0 and Polar Loop to find the best screenless fitness tracker for different types of users.

These devices give screenless fitness tracker buyers five genuinely different options. Garmin offers the deepest training tools without a required subscription, Fitbit Air is the lightest and cheapest route into passive tracking, while WHOOP still has the strongest recovery platform but costs far more over time.

A few years ago, choosing a screenless fitness tracker mostly meant deciding whether you were willing to pay for WHOOP. That has changed quickly, with Google, Garmin, Polar and Zepp Health all offering alternatives that collect health and activity data without putting another display on your wrist.

None of these trackers has built-in GPS. They all move most settings, results and analysis into a smartphone app, but the similarities begin to fade once you look at subscriptions, training tools, comfort and compatibility with other devices.

Price, design and battery life

The purchase price only tells part of the story. Fitbit Air and Helio Strap both cost $99.99, while Garmin CIRQA and Polar Loop have $199.99 list prices.

WHOOP does not sell the tracker in the conventional sense. The hardware comes with the membership, but continued access to the platform requires an active plan starting at $199 per year, rising to $239 for WHOOP Peak and $359 for WHOOP Life with the MG hardware. 

Fitbit Air is the easiest device to forget you are wearing. Its pod weighs only 5.2 grams, with the complete tracker coming in at around 12 grams, and its 17mm width makes it noticeably slimmer than everything else here.

That comfort was the strongest part of my Fitbit Air review. It works well for sleep and continuous wear, although the seven-day battery claim trails CIRQA, Helio Strap and WHOOP.

Amazfit Helio Strap is also fairly discreet at 20 grams. Its nylon strap uses a hook-and-loop fastening, and Zepp Health sells an official upper-arm accessory for workouts where wrist movement might interfere with optical heart-rate readings.

Garmin CIRQA is wider than Fitbit Air but remains reasonably light. Its 24mm ComfortFit strap uses quick-release pins, and a physical button gives it a small advantage over the other trackers.

Polar Loop is the heaviest option at 29 grams. That is not excessive for a normal watch, but it is noticeable in a category where the whole point is often to wear something less intrusive.

Garmin CIRQA

Screenless tracking with no required subscription

$199.99

View on Amazon View on Garmin

WHOOP has the best charging arrangement, provided you choose Peak or Life. Its Wireless PowerPack slides over the tracker while it remains on your body, reducing gaps in sleep and recovery data, while the entry WHOOP One plan uses a conventional wired charger.

Health, sleep and recovery tracking

All five trackers cover the foundations. Each records continuous heart rate, resting heart rate, HRV, respiratory rate, sleep duration and sleep stages, but some of the apparent similarities disappear once you look more closely.

Polar Loop does not provide a normal blood-oxygen metric, while its temperature sensor remains available through the software development kit rather than as a consumer-facing skin-temperature feature. WHOOP reserves ECG and irregular rhythm notifications for WHOOP MG, which requires the top Life membership.

Garmin CIRQA has the broadest health package without a required fee. It includes Pulse Ox, skin temperature, HRV Status, Body Battery, Training Readiness, stress tracking, nap detection, abnormal heart-rate alerts and a Smart Wake alarm.

Google has given Fitbit Air a strong selection of passive health features for a budget-friendly tracker. It records SpO2 and skin-temperature variation, supports Smart Wake and can provide irregular rhythm notifications in supported regions.

That combination makes Fitbit Air more of a health tracker than a serious training device. It is particularly useful for someone who wants sleep, heart rate and background health data without wearing a large smartwatch overnight.

Helio Strap sits closer to the fitness side. BioCharge estimates available energy throughout the day, while Readiness focuses more directly on recovery, and the Zepp app also provides sleep, stress, HRV and blood-oxygen trends.

Polar’s Nightly Recharge remains a useful and well-established recovery feature. Loop also feeds into Sleep Plus Stages and SleepWise, but it lacks a vibration motor, so there is no smart alarm or silent wake-up option.

WHOOP still does the best job of turning recovery information into a daily narrative. Its Recovery, Strain and Sleep system connects behaviour, training and rest more clearly than most competing apps, although useful features such as the real-time Stress Monitor and WHOOP Age require Peak or Life.

Training features and ecosystem differences

None of these products should be mistaken for a full sports watch. There is no onboard GPS, map, display or live pace field on your wrist, so runners and cyclists who depend on real-time feedback will still need a phone, watch or bike computer.

That said, the training gap between the devices is substantial. Garmin CIRQA offers more than 80 activity profiles, connected GPS, Training Status, recovery time, VO2 max and Fitness Age, while its physical button can start one chosen activity without opening the app.

CIRQA is the obvious choice for someone already using a Garmin watch or Edge computer. Health and activity data sync through Garmin Connect, and the band can broadcast heart rate to compatible Garmin equipment.

It can also fill a practical gap for people who do not want to wear a Fenix or Forerunner continuously. You can wear CIRQA for sleep and general health tracking, then switch to the watch for a run without splitting your long-term data between two platforms.

The main caveat is that CIRQA is new. Its feature list is excellent, but comfort, workout heart-rate accuracy and automatic activity detection still need extensive real-world testing before it can be declared the most accurate tracker in the group. Garmin’s official specifications confirm the 80-plus activity profiles, connected GPS, training tools and 10-day battery claim. 

Helio Strap is the strongest low-cost option for people who care about training. It offers more than 50 sports modes, BioCharge, Training Load, VO2 max, heart-rate broadcasting and an official upper-arm band, all without a subscription.

It also shares data with Amazfit watches inside the Zepp app. My earlier Helio Ring and Helio Strap comparison looked at how Zepp Health uses separate screenless devices to maintain sleep, recovery and exercise tracking when a watch is charging or not being worn.

Fitbit Air can record a decent workout, but its software remains the weak point. In my Fitbit Air and Garmin 5K test, heart rate and distance were surprisingly close, but the overall experience lacked the workout controls and post-run detail Garmin users will expect.

The hardware often seems more capable than the app. Automatic recognition can also record the wrong start or finish time, and Google Health does not always provide enough editing control to repair the session afterwards.

WHOOP is more polished for interpreting training than recording conventional workout statistics. It excels at showing how a session contributes to Strain and affects subsequent Recovery, but it is less useful for someone who wants maps, splits or detailed running dynamics.

That difference came through when I let Fitbit Air and WHOOP automatically record the same 8km run. Both detected activity, but neither produced a complete record without checking, which is a reminder that passive detection still needs supervision.

Polar Loop works best as a doorway into Polar Flow. Manual sessions use the tracker as a heart-rate sensor inside the app, with the phone providing GPS, while automatic detection can record casual sessions without the phone.

Training Load Pro and Nightly Recharge give it more depth than a simple activity band. However, its lack of vibration, SpO2 and a user-facing temperature metric makes the $199.99 price difficult to justify unless you already value Polar’s training system. That said, phone GPS can provide route, speed and distance during manually recorded outdoor workouts. 

Frequently asked questions

What is a screenless fitness tracker?

A screenless fitness tracker records health, sleep and activity data without putting a display on your wrist. Most settings and results appear in a companion app, which allows the tracker itself to stay lighter, simpler and less distracting than a smartwatch.

Are screenless fitness trackers accurate?

The better models can track resting heart rate, sleep duration and general activity trends reasonably well, although accuracy varies by device and activity. Workout heart rate, automatic exercise detection and GPS distance can be less consistent, especially because the trackers in this comparison rely on a connected phone rather than built-in GPS.

Is Garmin CIRQA better than WHOOP?

Garmin CIRQA is the better choice for Garmin users who want training, recovery and health data without a mandatory subscription. WHOOP has the more mature coaching platform and does a better job of connecting sleep, behaviour, Strain and Recovery, but its membership makes it considerably more expensive over time.

Does Fitbit Air require a subscription?

Fitbit Air does not require a subscription for its main health, sleep and activity features. Google Health Premium adds extra analysis and guidance, but the tracker remains usable without it.

Which screenless tracker has the longest battery life?

WHOOP 5.0 has the longest quoted battery life at more than 14 days. Garmin CIRQA and Amazfit Helio Strap follow with up to 10 days, while Polar Loop offers up to eight days and Fitbit Air up to seven days.

Do screenless fitness trackers have GPS?

None of the trackers in this comparison has built-in GPS. They can use a connected phone to record routes, distance and pace during outdoor workouts, although the available features and reliability vary between platforms.

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Polar Flow is down in a widespread outage affecting the mobile app, web service and third-party syncing. Polar has confirmed the disruption and says that user data remains safe.

Is Polar Flow down?

Yes. Polar confirmed the outage through its official service status page at 08:17 UTC on July 16, 2026.

The company says all of its online services are down while its technical team investigates the problem. It has not disclosed the cause or provided an estimated restoration time. Polar.com, the company’s support website and its online store continue to operate normally.

The outage appears to be on Polar’s side rather than a problem with an individual phone, watch or internet connection. Reinstalling the Flow app or repeatedly trying to pair a watch is therefore not going to fix it.

Polar Flow acts as the main hub for most Polar devices. It stores training sessions, activity data, sleep information and recovery insights. The company has been working through a wider Flow app and web overhaul, so changes to the software are incoming.

Which Polar services are affected?

Polar lists major outages for the Flow mobile application and Flow web service. Polar Beat is also down, along with Polar accounts, Polar Club, Team Pro and GoFit.

The disruption extends beyond Polar’s own apps. Its API and third-party syncing service are marked as suffering a major outage. This prevents data transfers to Strava, TrainingPeaks, komoot, Nike and MyFitnessPal.

Users may see failed login attempts, empty or outdated dashboards, workouts stuck on a watch or sessions that appear in Flow but not in a connected service. These symptoms all fit the current outage.

Is Polar workout data safe?

Polar says all data is safe. There is currently no indication that stored account information or previous training history has been lost.

A workout recorded on a Polar watch will normally remain on the device until it can transfer to Flow. Users should leave the session in place and wait for Polar to restore its services. Removing the watch from the app, deleting the app or carrying out a factory reset could create extra work without addressing the server problem.

Workouts waiting for Strava or another connected platform may transfer automatically once Polar restores the API. Polar has not confirmed how it will handle the backlog, so it is worth checking for duplicate or missing activities after the outage ends.

When will Polar Flow work again?

Polar has not given an estimated time for restoring Flow or its connected services. Users can follow the latest updates on Polar’s official status page.

The disruption follows yesterday’s Google Health outage, which prevented Fitbit devices from syncing and pairing for several hours. Polar users can continue recording workouts on their watches, but syncing, account access and transfers to connected services may remain unavailable until the company restores its platform.

This article will be updated when Polar provides more information.

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This is the first G-LIDE model with an optical heart rate sensor, and it connects two strands of Casio’s lineup that have been running in parallel. The GBX-100 brought the surf features and MIP display. The DW-H5600 brought heart rate and Polar-backed training metrics. The GBX-H5600 is where those two meet.

A G-LIDE that now works off the beach

Up to now, G-LIDE has been very specific in what it does well. Tide graphs, moon data and ocean timing have always been the focus, with only light activity tracking in the background. That made sense for its audience, but it also limited how often the watch made it onto the wrist outside of surf sessions.

The GBX-H5600 changes that. It tracks heart rate, steps and workouts, and uses smartphone GPS to tighten up distance data. More importantly, it adds a layer of analysis that was missing before. Polar handles that side, with metrics like Running Index, Cardio Load, Energy Used and Nightly Recharge, along with sleep tracking and recovery insights.

That does not turn it into a full sports watch, but it does make the data more useful. You are not just logging activity anymore, you are getting context around effort and recovery. For a G-SHOCK, that is a noticeable shift.

Same square look, lighter feel

On the hardware side, Casio keeps things familiar. The case comes in at 51.1 by 44.5 by 17.3 millimetres and weighs 47 grams, which is lighter than earlier heart rate equipped squares. That matters because these watches are often worn all day, not just during workouts.

The Memory in Pixel display is also the right call here. It keeps visibility strong outdoors and fits the digital G-SHOCK identity much better than a brighter but more power-hungry screen would. You still get shock resistance, 20 bar water resistance and bio-based resin used across the case, bezel and band.

Battery trade-offs are still there

Casio goes with USB charging supported by solar assist. Solar helps keep the time display running when the battery is low, but the health tracking and connected features rely on regular charging. That is the same compromise seen on the DW-H5600.

Battery life lands at around 35 hours with activity tracking and about a month in basic watch mode with heart rate turned off. It is not aiming to compete with full solar G-SHOCKs here, but it does enough to balance features with battery size.

Our takeaway

Casio is clearly leaning into this whole Polar powered thing. Up to now, this was mostly sitting in watches like the DW-H5600 and the more sports focused GBD-H2000. Now that same layer is turning up in a G-LIDE, which is not where you would have expected it a year ago.

That is what makes this interesting. Casio is not trying to build its own big fitness platform, it is just plugging in Polar and dropping those insights into different watches. So now you have a surf watch that can actually tell you something useful about your training and recovery, not just show you tides and moon phases.

At the same time, they are not overdoing it. This is not suddenly trying to be a Garmin. There is no deep training ecosystem or standalone GPS. It just sits in that middle space, where you get enough data to be useful, but it still feels like a proper G-SHOCK you can wear anywhere without thinking about it.

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The device had leaked back in January on the FCC website, but now it is official. This new model leans into hybrid training, blending running metrics with strength guidance and everyday features. It feels like Polar trying to bridge performance tracking with something you can wear all day without it looking out of place.

A design that balances sport and everyday use

Street X keeps things compact at 45 x 45 x 13.7 mm, with a weight of 48 grams. That is light for something with this level of durability. The reinforced case uses an eight screw chassis and carries military grade claims, while still aiming to feel wearable outside workouts. Many people on social media are commenting how similar it looks to the Garmin Instinct range.

The AMOLED display measures 1.28 inches (32.5 mm) and runs at 416 x 416 resolution. It sits under Gorilla Glass 3, which should handle daily wear without much fuss. The design leans into a rugged look, but not overly bulky, so it can pass as a daily watch rather than something reserved for training sessions.

Interchangeable 22 mm straps help with that flexibility. You can shift from a sport strap to something more subtle without much effort.

Built in navigation and visibility tools

Navigation is a core part of the pitch here. The watch has built-in GNSS tracking, along with a compass, barometer and turn by turn guidance directly on the screen. There is also a back to start function, which is useful for outdoor sessions where you want a simple way home.

One feature that stands out is the integrated LED flashlight. It switches between white and red light. The white light is there for general use, while the red light is aimed at preserving night vision during low light training. That is something you usually see on more outdoor focused watches, so its inclusion here is interesting.

Training features built around hybrid workouts

Street X supports over 170 sport profiles, covering everything from running to strength training. Polar is clearly targeting people who mix different types of workouts rather than sticking to one discipline.

Running metrics include wrist based running power. That gives a more detailed view of effort than pace or heart rate alone. There are also structured running programs, covering distances from 5K to marathon.

For strength work, the Work Rest Guide offers real time suggestions on when to rest between sets. FitSpark is also here, offering daily training suggestions based on your recent activity and recovery status.

Health tracking and recovery insights

Polar continues to lean heavily into recovery metrics. The watch tracks sleep in detail, including sleep stages and breathing quality. Nightly Recharge pulls together heart rate and HRV data to give a sense of how well you have recovered.

Precision Prime optical heart rate tracking is used for continuous monitoring. That feeds into both training and recovery metrics, keeping things consistent across the platform.

There is also skin temperature tracking, adding another layer to overnight insights. It is not positioned as a medical feature, but it can help spot trends over time.

Battery life and daily features

Battery life lands at up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and up to 43 hours with continuous GPS. That puts it in a comfortable spot for multi day use without frequent charging.

On the smart side, you get music controls, phone notifications, weather forecasts and a find my phone feature. These are standard additions, but they round out the experience so the watch does not feel limited outside workouts.

Where Street X fits in

The €250 Street X feels like Polar trying to soften the line between its more performance focused watches and something you can wear all day. The combination of AMOLED, navigation tools and strength guidance suggests a broader target than pure runners.

The inclusion of a flashlight and turn by turn navigation hints at outdoor use, but the lightweight build and design suggest it is not meant to compete directly with heavier adventure watches. It sits somewhere in the middle, aimed at people who train in different ways and want one device to cover it all.

A lot of users no longer stick to one sport, and this kind of hybrid approach might be for then. You can check out the timepiece on Polar’s website. It comes in a choice between white, black and green.

Polar Street X: Tech specs

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The detail comes from a confidentiality request tied to FCC ID INW6J. In the document, Polar states that short-term confidentiality should remain in place until next Thursday, by which date the product is expected to be made official.

That is usually how companies line up filings with launch timing, so it points to an announcement being very close. If the device does not debut next week, the external photos will be released through the FCC filing, unless Polar requests an extension.

A clear end to the silence

The Street X has been building in the background for a while.

Our initial discovery came through FCC filings in late January, which revealed the model identifier and early packaging details. Since then, references to the device have surfaced in the Android APK of the smartphone app.

Street X appears to be positioned away from Polar’s usual performance-first devices. The FCC documentation indicates Bluetooth connectivity, with no signs of cellular or WiFi support. That suggests a watch designed to stay paired with a phone rather than operate independently.

Packaging references revealed a “Night Black” variant and standard S–L sizing. The design direction, based on available material, looks closer to Polar’s simpler watch profiles rather than its more rugged or high-end models. The name itself also hints at that positioning. Street X sounds more lifestyle-oriented than performance-driven.

There was an earlier retailer mention of the watch. No pics or specs listed but a price of around 220 euros was mentioned. This is, of course, unconfirmed.

Another device is also on the way

Street X is only part of what is coming.

Our analysis of the Polar Flow app uncovered references to another unreleased device. That one appears under the name Pacer X, suggesting a continuation of Polar’s running-focused lineup.

Street X looks set to target a broader audience, while Pacer X would serve users looking for more structured training tools. There have been no regulatory filings for this device that we could spot, so Pacer X could still be a few months away from launch.

It appears Polar is aiming to lower the barrier to entry, offering simpler wearables that still fit within its ecosystem. Watches that can be worn all day, without leaning too heavily into advanced training features. We should learn all the final details next week.

This article originally appeared on Gadgets & Wearables, the first media outlet to report the story.

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This is the first time Pacer X has appeared anywhere. There are no regulatory filings and no public mentions, which makes this APK string the only evidence that such a watch might launch soon.

Street X keeps showing up

The INW6J identifier remains present in the latest Polar Flow build. That matters because INW6J has already been confirmed as Polar Street X through FCC paperwork that surfaced in January. Seeing it persist across app versions suggests Street X is still actively tracked inside Polar’s software stack and has not been shelved or renamed internally.

That lines up with what we already know. The FCC documents pointed to a Bluetooth smartwatch with no obvious signs of cellular connectivity. The packaging references and size markings hinted at a lifestyle oriented device rather than a full training tool. A likely price around the low two hundreds in euros also supports that positioning.

Pacer X appears for the first time

The more interesting part of this teardown is the appearance of Polar Pacer X. This is a brand new string that was not present in earlier Polar Flow builds. Unlike Street X it does not yet have an associated device code surfaced publicly and there are no FCC or other regulatory records to lean on.

Nevertheless, the fact that Pacer X shows up in Polar Flow suggests it is far enough along to require software side preparation. Even if the hardware is not yet going through certification.

The Polar Pacer and Pacer Pro were released back in 2022. They represent the company’s entry level running focused watch family, built around GPS training. Adding an X suffix could mean several things. It might point to a design refresh, a lighter urban leaning variant or a trimmed down model.

This is where speculation starts, so it is worth flagging it as such. Polar has used letters sparingly and usually with intent. X could mark a crossover direction, blending training basics with everyday wear. For now there is not enough data to lock that down.

What this says about Polar’s roadmap

Taken together, these two references suggest Polar is working on a broader refresh than just a single lifestyle watch. Street X looks like a new category entry, aimed at everyday activity tracking and brand reach beyond core athletes.

The absence of regulatory filings for Pacer X is important. It tells us Street X is further along and likely to arrive first. Pacer X feels more like a late 2026 product unless filings suddenly appear.

For now, the Polar Flow APK is doing what these teardowns often do best. It confirms internal codenames and product intent before marketing gets involved. Street X is real and still coming. Pacer X is likely real too, even if it is still hiding in the background.

This is one of several unannounced devices currently appearing in filings, app code and leaks. You can follow them through our regularly updated upcoming wearables guide.

APK teardown note

This article is based on an APK teardown. Code found inside an app can reveal features or devices that are under development, but there is no guarantee they will appear in a future public release.

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Polar Street X surfaces in FCC paperwork

We just spotted the filing, but it was actually released on January 23rd. The documents point to a smartwatch currently being developed by the company.

The device goes by the internal name Polar 6J and appears to sit on a new hardware platform titled “Polar 6J Elabel.” This platform enables digital regulatory labeling, meaning users can access certifications directly through the watch interface under Settings > About > Certificates. That includes the FCC ID and other compliance data.

The watch itself is classified as a close-body wearable. That suggests it’s designed for continuous wrist contact, with testing assuming a usage distance of under 5 mm. Its wireless communications are handled entirely via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), supporting both 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps data rates over the standard 2402–2480 MHz band. Maximum output power is capped at 3.60 milliwatts.

At the core of its wireless setup is a custom-built antenna. Labeled as model 115326-3, this antenna is specific to Polar’s own 6J architecture. Its maximum gain sits at -3.3 dBi at 2440 MHz, pointing to a design more focused on efficient short-range connection rather than long-range broadcast strength. That fits with typical smartwatch use where pairing with a nearby phone is the norm.

Retail packaging

More interesting than the technical details is the product packaging shown in the documentation. It confirms a black color variant (referred to as Night Black) with a silicone strap and clearly references the product name “Polar Street X” on both the retail box and the digital label screen. The package also confirms that this is a size S-L unit, which could imply multiple sizes may be offered.

The FCC documents cover conducted and radiated testing, including power spectral density, bandwidth and spurious emissions. This is standard for Bluetooth wearables but also confirms that the device is well into its compliance checks.

What’s not mentioned is any GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular or multi-frequency functionality. This points toward a more lightweight urban-focused wearable rather than a full multisport or outdoors unit like the Vantage or Grit series. That also lines up with the “Street X” branding, which hints at something more lifestyle-oriented.

Adding further confirmation to this are a couple of retailer mentions. No pics or specs listed but a price of around 220 euros is mentioned.

We will learn more once Polar officially unveils the Street X. The confidentiality clause on all the FCC paperwork runs out in late March, so a launch is likely before then.

This article originally appeared on Gadgets & Wearables, the first media outlet to report the story.

Source: FCC via FCCID Lookup Database

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Whoop secures a legal win

The decision came out of a Massachusetts court and focuses on the design of Lexqi’s screenless fitness band. The judge agreed that the product likely infringes on Whoop’s trade dress and could confuse buyers. That was enough to stop sales while the full case continues.

Whoop has been arguing that its minimalist design is not just about function. The combination of a faceless band, flat profile and continuous strap has, over time, become part of the brand’s identity. That’s where trade dress law comes in. It protects designs that serve to distinguish one product from another, as long as they’re not purely functional. The court appears to have agreed, at least at this early stage.

Lexqi’s trackers had shown up on Amazon listings throughout 2025. According to Whoop, cease and desist notices were ignored. What followed was a lawsuit in September of that year, alleging that Lexqi knowingly continued to push near-identical wearables into the US market. The fact that Lexqi had filed for a US design patent and obtained FCC approvals didn’t help their case. If anything, it may have reinforced the perception of deliberate copying.

The court order doesn’t settle the case entirely. But injunctions like this are rare unless the judge believes the plaintiff has a strong chance of winning later on. The damage to brand identity and market position was deemed serious enough to justify immediate action.

Polar could be next

While Lexqi has been sidelined, Whoop’s separate complaint against Polar is still moving through the courts. That case revolves around the design of the Polar Loop, a screenless band that was unveiled in late 2025. Whoop filed suit shortly after, pointing to design elements it believes mirror its own product line.

Both cases lean on the same argument. Whoop says its wearable design has built up enough brand recognition over time that it now deserves protection. Polar, on the other hand, claims that its band was designed independently and that the look is more about function than marketing.

The Polar case is playing out in a different court, in the Eastern District of New York. A preliminary hearing took place in January. Whoop is seeking another injunction there, just like it did with Lexqi. That request is still under review.

How the Lexqi ruling will affect the Polar outcome remains to be seen. The cases are separate, but the legal theory is the same. The Lexqi decision could tip the balance if the New York judge sees it as a precedent, or at least as a sign that Whoop’s claims are not just theoretical.

A bigger shift in wearable design protection?

These back-to-back lawsuits are part of a larger trend. As the wearable market matures, companies are becoming more protective of visual identity. It’s not just about what features a device offers anymore. It’s also about how it looks on your wrist.

If Whoop succeeds in both cases, that could set a clearer boundary around what counts as copycat design in the fitness space. It could also make companies more cautious about how they shape their hardware. That includes big names like Garmin, Fitbit, and Apple, all of which walk a fine line between brand identity and industry norms.

For now, Lexqi is out of the US market. Polar is still in, but for how long depends on what happens in court.

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The courtroom gears are finally turning

After several months of paperwork and posturing, January marked a shift from filings to formal oversight. The first scheduling conference took place on January 7, 2026, led by Magistrate Judge Arlene R. Lindsay in the Eastern District of New York. This was the moment the court established deadlines and set the framework for how the case will move forward. The most pressing issue at that meeting was Whoop’s request for a preliminary injunction.

This legal move, if granted, would force Polar to halt sales of its Loop tracker in the U.S. immediately. Unlike a full verdict, which could take years, this is a short-term ruling intended to prevent what Whoop calls “irreparable harm.” They argue that ongoing Loop sales are hurting their brand in ways that financial compensation won’t cover, particularly by confusing consumers and weakening the distinct look of Whoop’s product line.

To back up those claims, Whoop’s lawyers have compiled examples of social media posts and product reviews calling the Loop a “Whoop clone” or a “dupe.” That evidence, they say, shows real-world brand dilution already in motion.

Polar pushes back on the design claims

Polar filed its official response on January 13, just after the conference. Their legal position is that the screenless design and fabric band that Whoop claims as protected “trade dress” are not exclusive or brand-defining. Polar argues those elements are functional choices, common to fitness trackers in this category, and therefore not protected by trademark law.

In short, they claim it’s not copying – it’s just good design for this kind of device.

Both sides are now in the discovery phase. That means they’re exchanging internal documents, design drafts, and marketing plans. This part of the case will focus on whether Polar made deliberate decisions to mirror Whoop’s product identity, or whether any similarities are coincidental or driven by utility.

The decision is pending

The court is still deliberating on the preliminary injunction. It’s the biggest moment so far in the lawsuit, and the judge’s decision will carry immediate consequences. If Whoop wins, the Polar Loop will be pulled from U.S. shelves. If Polar wins, they’ll continue selling while the case slowly grinds forward.

This kind of early ruling is often a tipping point. For a company like Polar, losing retail access for a year or more could crush momentum. For Whoop, failing to secure the injunction could weaken their leverage in any settlement talks down the line.

Either way, this month has brought real movement. The legal stage is now fully set, and what happens next will determine if Polar Loop gets to compete in the U.S. market at all.

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