The images were published by The Mac Observer and reportedly show an unannounced device carrying the internal name Moto Watch Ultra. That may not necessarily be the final retail name, but the hardware looks considerably more ambitious than Motorola’s current watches.

The circular watch has a 46mm stainless steel case, a numbered bezel, a large rotating crown and a second button on the side. Markings on the rear also reveal built-in GPS, LTE connectivity, IP68 protection and water resistance to 50 metres, or 5ATM.

Interestingly, the Ultra is not actually bigger than Motorola’s existing round watch. The current Moto Watch uses a 47mm case, so Motorola appears to be putting the emphasis on materials and features rather than simply making another oversized Ultra watch.

LTE is part of the package

The LTE marking is probably the detail worth paying most attention to. Motorola’s current Moto Watch can handle calls through a connected phone, but it does not have cellular connectivity of its own.

That raises a fairly obvious question about the software. Motorola launched the current Polar-powered Moto Watch at CES earlier this year with its own lightweight operating system rather than Wear OS. The approach comes with limitations, including no third-party app store, but it also helps the watch stretch to a claimed 13 days of battery life.

LTE does not mean Motorola is switching to Wear OS. A cellular connection could work perfectly well with its existing platform, and there is no evidence in the leak confirming Google’s operating system.

Still, an LTE-equipped Ultra watch makes the software choice much more interesting. Motorola could build a more capable version of its current platform and retain the long battery life advantage, or it could use the Ultra as a route back into the full smartwatch market. For now, both possibilities are speculation.

Motorola’s smartwatch reset is starting to make more sense

The timing also fits with something we spotted earlier this year. In May, Motorola quietly reduced its smartwatch lineup to just two current models, removing the Moto Watch 40, Watch 70 and Watch 120 from its wearable pages. At the time, it looked less like routine housekeeping and more like a reset of a range that had become crowded with similar lower-cost watches.

That left the rectangular Moto Watch Fit covering the fitness-focused end of the range and the newer round Moto Watch sitting above it. Adding a Watch Ultra would give the lineup a much clearer third tier, particularly if Motorola intends to move beyond the affordable end of the smartwatch market.

The leaked model also appears better suited to that role. Stainless steel construction is a step up from the aluminium used on the current Moto Watch, while 5ATM water resistance is considerably more useful than the current model’s 1ATM rating. LTE would also give Motorola a feature it does not currently offer anywhere in the range.

These renders make Motorola’s recent wearable moves look a little less isolated. The company spent the first half of 2026 simplifying its range and strengthening the fitness side through Polar. The Watch Ultra could be the next part of that strategy, this time aimed considerably further up the smartwatch market.

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The device carries the internal model number OW261 and is described as an “Outdoor Watch” in the regulatory paperwork. However, the packaging document included with the filing is considerably less discreet, naming the product Suunto Run 2 and displaying the finished retail box.

This appears to be a direct successor to the original Suunto Run, which launched in May 2025 with a 1.32-inch AMOLED display, dual-band GPS and onboard music storage. It is also a separate product from the recently leaked Suunto Race 3 and Race 3 S, giving Suunto at least three new sports watches somewhere in its pipeline.

The Run design appears to be staying

The small product render printed on the packaging shows a circular case with the familiar crown and button layout on the right side. Nothing in the image points to a major redesign, although the final materials, display dimensions and overall thickness remain unknown.

An internal frame drawing measures approximately 44.5mm across and 45.5mm vertically. Those are not the dimensions of the complete watch, but they suggest the Run 2 will remain in roughly the same 46mm size category as the current model rather than becoming a smaller running watch.

The antenna layout also shows Suunto using sections of the metal frame as part of the wireless system. The satellite antenna sits near the lower-left side of the watch, while the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antenna is positioned towards the upper-left.

Only the All Black version appears in this filing. That does not mean it will be the only colour, as manufacturers commonly submit one representative model while preparing several retail variants.

Dual-frequency GPS returns

The antenna specification confirms GPS L1 and L5 support, which means the Run 2 will continue to offer dual-frequency positioning. This was already one of the stronger features of the first-generation Run, so the filing does not reveal whether Suunto is changing the satellite chipset or improving accuracy through a revised antenna design.

Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy are also supported. The current Run uses Bluetooth for syncing, sensor connections and direct headphone pairing, so local music playback is likely to remain, although the public documents do not confirm storage capacity or audio features.

The Run 2 also gains both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi support. So that’s something that is new. The test report includes 802.11a, b, g, n, ac and ax modes, although the watch uses 20MHz channels and a single internal antenna.

Suunto has not explained what it plans to do with Wi-Fi. Direct firmware updates, quicker music transfers and background synchronisation are the most obvious possibilities. Offline map downloads are another possibility, but there is currently no evidence that Run 2 will include maps or move closer to the Race series.

The test unit uses an internal 3.8V battery, but the filing does not disclose its capacity or expected runtime. There is also no sign of cellular connectivity or NFC in the available radio documents, making phone-free calls and contactless payments unlikely.

Launch timing remains unclear

The packaging artwork carries a July 14, 2026 date, while the FCC approved the device on July 30. Finished retail packaging usually means development has moved well beyond the prototype stage, but it does not guarantee that an announcement is only weeks away.

Suunto has requested temporary confidentiality for the user manual, external photographs, internal photographs and test setup images. Those documents are scheduled to become public on January 27, 2027, although Suunto can ask for them to be released earlier when it announces the watch.

The first Suunto Run arrived only a little over a year ago, so an immediate replacement would make for a fairly short product cycle. A launch later in 2026 or during the first part of 2027 looks plausible, but the filing itself provides no confirmed release date.

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Tipster Yogesh Brar claims the Nothing smartwatch will initially reach a limited number of markets. Further information is expected soon, but there are no product images, specifications or model names attached to the leak yet.

Nothing already sells watches through its more affordable CMF sub-brand. However, this would be the first model to carry the Nothing name directly, suggesting it may sit considerably higher in the company’s product range.

A different watch from the CMF line

The current CMF Watch 3 Pro combines a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with dual-band GPS, Bluetooth calling and up to 13 days of battery life. It covers the basics well, but uses a lightweight operating system with limited app support rather than Google’s Wear OS.

A price below $300 would leave Nothing plenty of room above that device. It would also put the new watch closer to models from OnePlus, Samsung and Google, where buyers expect more capable software, third-party apps and stronger integration with their phones.

That makes the operating system the biggest unanswered question. Nothing could produce a more polished version of the platform used by CMF, retaining long battery life while focusing on design and basic health tracking. Alternatively, it could adopt Wear OS and offer something closer to a full smartwatch.

Wear OS would make the reported price easier to understand, but it would also bring shorter battery life and place Nothing in a much more competitive part of the market. A custom platform would give the company more control over the interface, although charging close to $300 for an RTOS watch would require something more substantial than a transparent case and familiar health features.

Nothing has already brought its watches closer

There have been signs that Nothing wants to treat wearables as a larger part of its ecosystem. The company previously moved CMF Watch support into the Nothing X app, retiring the separate CMF Watch application and bringing watches, earbuds and other connected products under the same roof.

Nothing described the underlying app architecture as suitable for future CMF Watch development. In hindsight, consolidating watch support inside Nothing X could also provide the foundation for a main-brand wearable.

The reference to Nothing’s design DNA is less revealing than it sounds. It probably means some combination of transparent elements, exposed-looking components and the dot-matrix graphics used across the company’s phones and accessories. Whether that produces a transparent case, a distinctive watch face or something more unusual is still open to interpretation.

A September launch is close enough that further leaks should not be far away. For now, the interesting part is the positioning. Nothing does not appear to be preparing another inexpensive fitness watch. The reported price suggests a more ambitious wearable, and the choice between Wear OS and a custom platform will tell us just how ambitious it really is.

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Reservations are now open through Honor’s Chinese store, although pricing and the full specifications have not yet been announced. This is therefore more of an official preview than a complete launch.

Three versions are coming

The range consists of the Honor Band 11, Honor Band 11 Pro and Honor Band 11 Pro GPS. That is a broader lineup than last year, when Honor introduced the Band 10 as a single main model.

The Pro GPS version is the most interesting addition. It includes independent satellite positioning, allowing users to record outdoor runs and rides without relying on a connected phone.

Honor says the tracker supports five satellite navigation systems. It has not yet named the individual constellations or provided any accuracy claims. Some translated reports have described the feature as “five-star GPS.” That wording refers to support for five positioning systems rather than a rating of its performance.

The standard Pro model appears to omit built-in GPS. Honor has not yet explained what else separates it from the regular Band 11, although the official images suggest a different case and strap design.

Battery life increases sharply

Honor is quoting up to 18 days of battery life for the standard Band 11. The Band 11 Pro and Band 11 Pro GPS are both listed with a maximum of 26 days.

That is a sizeable increase over the Band 10, which was rated for up to 14 days. Honor has not published the testing conditions, so the real figure will depend on display settings, health monitoring and workout use.

GPS recording will also reduce endurance on the Pro GPS model. The 26-day figure will almost certainly apply to lighter everyday use rather than frequent outdoor tracking.

Honor has also mentioned a dedicated badminton mode and upgraded sleep monitoring. No details have been provided on the metrics included in either feature.

Design and colours

The Band 11 keeps the familiar rectangular shape, with a rounded display and narrow-looking bezels. The Pro models appear slightly more substantial and use perforated sports straps.

The standard version is shown in white, purple and black. The Pro range comes in white, black and green, with the green model using a two-tone strap.

Honor has not confirmed the screen size, resolution, brightness, case materials or water-resistance rating. NFC support, charging speed and the full health sensor package also remain unknown.

Pricing is still under wraps

The company has started taking reservations in China through a low-cost benefits package, but it has not announced the retail price or sale date. The reservation voucher remains valid until the end of August, suggesting the full launch should follow soon.

There is also no word on international availability. The Band 10 reached markets outside China, so a wider release is possible, but Honor has not confirmed any regional plans.

The Band 11 Pro GPS is clearly the model to watch. Standalone positioning fixes one of the main limitations of the previous generation, while the longer battery claim gives it more appeal as an everyday fitness tracker. Those wanting a larger display and a more complete sports package can step up to the Honor Watch 6.

Source: Honor China

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The information appears in Google results for several unrelated Suunto support pages. Opening those pages does not reveal the Race 3 material, suggesting an unpublished promotional section briefly became visible to Google before Suunto removed or disabled it.

This was first spotted in a Reddit thread. Gadgets & Wearables independently verified the indexed Suunto references and uncovered additional details about the Race 3 lineup and Suunto AI Coach.

Two Race 3 models are on the way

The smaller model is called the Suunto Race 3 S. Suunto describes it as a lightweight trail watch with a 1.32-inch AMOLED display, dual-band GPS and sapphire crystal.

The current Race S, also has a 1.32-inch display, but the standard model uses mineral glass. That means the Race 3 S may bring a useful durability upgrade even if its basic dimensions remain similar.

Suunto says the Race 3 S will be “available first,” although the indexed text does not provide a launch date. The full-sized Suunto Race 3 is described as coming later in 2026 with a larger 1.5-inch AMOLED display and longer battery life for extended outdoor use.

That screen size matches the existing Suunto Race 2, so the snippets do not reveal whether the new model will bring a brighter panel, slimmer bezels or a redesigned case. There is also no mention yet of its processor, heart rate sensor, storage, weight or exact battery figures.

The timing is unusually quick. Suunto launched the Race 2 on August 27, 2025, meaning its replacement could arrive less than a year later. That watch introduced a brighter 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display, a faster processor and an updated optical heart rate sensor, as covered in our Race 2 versus the original Race comparison.

The naming is also interesting. Suunto currently sells the Race 2 alongside the older Race S, but never released a Race 2 S. Launching the Race 3 S first could bring the large and small models back under the same generation.

AI Coach may be the bigger story

The leaked hardware details remain fairly limited. The more substantial change appears to be a new version of Suunto AI Coach that connects the app more directly with the watch.

Suunto says users will be able to ask what they should train, when they should recover or where they should run. The service will use their training, recovery, sleep and route data to produce personalised answers rather than general advice.

One example asks the app to find a local 7 km route. AI Coach then appears to consider the user’s location, training and goals before creating the route and sending it to the watch. The wording suggests it can also generate workouts and longer training plans, with the resulting sessions synced to the watch.

Suunto already uses the AI Coach name for adaptive training guidance. A recent Suunto software update added richer interval descriptions and structured sessions, while the company has also expanded its web-based route planner.

The Race 3 version looks broader. Conversational requests and automatic route creation would turn AI Coach into a more central part of the Suunto platform rather than another training widget buried inside the app.

A subscription appears to be coming

Both Race 3 models will include three months of Suunto AI Coach. Indexed text also refers to the service continuing as a paid plan, planned for 2027, although Suunto has not revealed the subscription price. Owners of other compatible watches may be able to request early access through a Pioneers Program.

That could prove more significant than the watches themselves. Suunto has traditionally sold its core training and mapping tools without a recurring fee, so placing its most advanced coaching features behind a subscription would mark a notable change in direction.

Plenty remains unknown, including pricing, case materials and the precise launch date of the Race 3 S. Still, the appearance of detailed marketing copy across Suunto’s own indexed pages makes this look like more than a placeholder or an AI-generated mistake.

We are tracking this device alongside the other watches, bands and health products expected over the coming months. See our upcoming wearable release radar for the latest launch window and supporting evidence.

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The FCC confirms it is a chest strap

When we first reported on the Suunto SHRM2, the device had appeared in Singapore’s IMDA database. That listing described it as a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, but did not say whether Suunto was working on a conventional chest strap or something worn elsewhere on the body.

The FCC documents now settle that question. Suunto describes SHRM2 as a heart rate belt in the testing material, while the regulatory information is printed on a circular battery cover similar to the one used by its current chest sensor.

The label confirms a replaceable CR2032 battery. Suunto’s existing Smart Heart Rate Belt uses a smaller CR2025 cell and has an official battery life estimate of around 500 hours.

A CR2032 has more capacity, so longer battery life looks likely. The filing does not provide an official runtime, though, and battery efficiency will also depend on the new electronics and how often the sensor stores or transmits data.

Water resistance is rated at 30 metres, or 100 feet. That matches Suunto’s current belt and makes swimming support likely.

Bluetooth details and an earlier processor clue

SHRM2 uses Bluetooth Low Energy across the standard 2402 to 2480 MHz frequency range. Testing covers both 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps modes, suggesting Suunto has moved to a more recent Bluetooth platform.

The documents do not mention ANT+. That may mean the new belt will remain Bluetooth-only, but the public filing is not detailed enough to rule out additional wireless modes before the full manual appears.

There is also no confirmation of simultaneous Bluetooth connections. Support for two or more connections would allow the belt to send heart rate to a Suunto watch and another device, such as gym equipment or a training app, at the same time.

An earlier clue from Nordic Semiconductor’s developer forum pointed to the nRF54L15 processor. References to SHRM2 appeared in software build paths linked to the chip, although the filing has not confirmed that it sits inside the device.

What remains unknown

The external photos, internal photos and user manual remain confidential until January 19, 2027. That date does not necessarily point to the launch, as Suunto can release the documents earlier when it announces the product.

Suunto has already shown how quickly one of these regulatory discoveries can turn into a finished product. The Suunto Core 2 appeared in FCC documents before launching this week, so SHRM2 may also be further along than the confidential filing dates suggest.

We will update this article when further details emerge. In the meantime, our upcoming wearables release guide provides the latest expected timing and confidence rating.

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As revealed by 9to5Google, the listing names the device as Pixel Watch 5 and gives it the codename “godric.” It also shows 2.8GB to 2.9GB of available memory, which means Google is almost certainly fitting the watch with 3GB of RAM.

That would be the first memory increase in the history of the Pixel Watch range. Every model since the original Pixel Watch has shipped with 2GB.

The processor looks unchanged

The Play Console identifies the system-on-chip as Qualcomm SW5100. It lists four Cortex-A53 CPU cores running at 1.7GHz, paired with an Adreno 702 GPU at 1GHz.

Those figures match the Pixel Watch 4 listing. They also trace back to the Snapdragon W5 platform Google first adopted with the Pixel Watch 2.

There is a little more nuance here than the listing initially suggests. The SW5100 name covers the main application processor used across different Snapdragon W5 generations, so it does not tell us the complete platform configuration.

Google moved to the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 with the Pixel Watch 4. That upgrade retained the same basic CPU and GPU arrangement but added support for Satellite SOS, improved location technology and a newer Cortex-M55 co-processor.

The Play Console does not identify the Pixel Watch 5 co-processor. Google could, potentially, upgrade that part of the platform while leaving the main processor untouched. However, there is no evidence of such a change yet.

As things stand, the safest conclusion is that Pixel Watch 5 will offer little or no conventional CPU and GPU improvement over Pixel Watch 4. Which is a bit of a disappointment.

More memory could be the real upgrade

The jump from 2GB to 3GB of RAM is positive, though. An extra gigabyte gives Wear OS more room for apps, background services and increasingly demanding AI features.

Google has been pushing Gemini deeper into its smartwatch software, and the previously leaked Pixel Watch 5 renders show a new analogue face with a prominent Gemini shortcut. The same design appears in the Play Console image (as shown above), adding another indication that the listing relates to finished hardware rather than an early prototype.

More RAM does not automatically make a processor faster. It can, however, reduce the need to reload apps and allow more services to remain available in the background. That may prove more noticeable in daily use than a modest increase in clock speed.

It could also help Google introduce new Gemini features without making them exclusive to cloud processing. That remains speculation for now, as the listing says nothing about specific AI capabilities.

Samsung has the faster platform on paper

The timing makes Google’s apparent processor decision stand out. Samsung has just launched the Galaxy Watch 9 with Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon Wear Elite platform.

The 3nm chip uses one Cortex-A78 performance core and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. It also includes dedicated AI hardware, while the watch itself has 2GB of RAM.

That gives Samsung a sizeable architectural advantage on paper. Our earlier look at the Snapdragon Wear Elite explains why it represents a much bigger processor step than the changes Qualcomm made between the two W5 generations.

Real-world performance will still depend on software, power limits and how often a smartwatch needs its fastest cores. A Pixel Watch does not have to win a benchmark contest to feel responsive, but Google may have a harder time explaining a price increase if the core processor barely changes.

The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to launch on August 12 in 41mm and 45mm sizes. Previous leaks suggest the familiar domed design will return, so the combination of 3GB of RAM, software changes and any unannounced co-processor upgrade may have to carry much of this year’s hardware story.

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Enduro 4 now has a codename

We compared the main APK from Garmin Connect 5.27 with the base APK contained inside the older version. The most useful entry is product 5179, which Garmin categorises under fitness, outdoor, golf and wellness. Version 5.27 associates that product number with the internal codename GOBI.

That number is not new by itself. Our previous Garmin Connect 5.26 teardown found an Enduro 4 reference tied to the same internal ID, 5179. The difference is that the direct Enduro 4 name does not appear in the new version. Instead, Garmin now lists 5179 as GOBI, giving us a likely development codename for the watch.

The connection is fairly clean. Garmin used 4575 as the internal product ID for Enduro 3, and the company appears to be preparing Garmin Connect to recognise its successor under 5179.

The number cannot be converted into Garmin’s eventual retail part number or website product ID. Those sit in separate databases, so 5179 is mainly useful as a search key for future firmware files, support pages, image servers and Connect IQ records.

Eight more devices appear

The same registry update introduces eight other product entries. These are BRISTLECONE under product 5169, MARGAY_CARACAL under 5161, BENGAL_SIBERIAN under 5162, PANTHER under 5164, TORR_SNARF under 5143, LEAH_CHEETARA under 5144, WILYCUB_PANTHRO under 5145 and Rogers under 5193.

All except Rogers carry the same fitness, outdoor, golf and wellness categories as GOBI. That combination is normally associated with Garmin watches that support a broad mix of sports, outdoor navigation and health features, rather than simple activity trackers.

The naming pattern is difficult to ignore. Six of the entries use feline references and appear to form two groups of three. Products 5143, 5144 and 5145 use names linked to ThunderCats characters, while products 5161, 5162 and 5164 use real cat breeds or species.

One possible explanation is that these six entries belong to the future Fenix 9 family. Garmin commonly releases its Fenix watches in three case sizes, while also separating AMOLED and MicroLED models into different internal product records. Two groups of three could therefore represent three sizes across two display or charging configurations.

That remains speculation, as the APK does not mention Fenix 9 by name. The matching categories, coordinated codenames and closely grouped product numbers do suggest the six devices belong to one wider hardware programme rather than six unrelated watches.

BRISTLECONE appears separate from the feline group, although its outdoor-focused categories suggest another capable Garmin watch. Rogers is the odd one out, as Garmin assigns it only fitness and wellness categories, which could point to a simpler wearable or accessory.

Software changes are also included

Garmin Connect 5.27 is not only about new hardware records. The update also adds the new Garmin Connect Essentials section, which lets users place selected health and training stats at the top of the Home screen.

Garmin has also reworked parts of the device setup process, with new flows for primary wearable selection, sleep schedules, Wi-Fi, backups and firmware updates. There are further changes around Garmin Coach, including expanded triathlon support, along with smaller updates to Pulse Ox reports, workout syncing and activity screens.

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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The details come from WinFuture, which also published images showing the tracker in grey, Pomelo Pink, black and white. There is no confirmed launch date, but the report says sales should begin soon, most likely within the next few weeks.

The leak adds another model to the picture created by our recent Smart Band 11 certification findings. Those filings pointed to standard and NFC versions, but there was no mention of an Active edition at the time.

The hardware barely moves

The Smart Band 11 Active reportedly uses a 1.47-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 172 pixels. It weighs 16.5 grams without the strap and measures 10.2mm thick, keeping it in lightweight fitness band territory.

Inside sits a 300mAh battery. This should be good for up to 14 days of normal use, dropping to nine days with the always-on display enabled, while a full charge should take around two hours.

Health tracking covers the familiar basics, including heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep and stress. The tracker is also expected to offer more than 50 sports modes and 5ATM water resistance, so swimming should be covered.

The strange part is how closely all of this matches the Smart Band 9 Active. That model also has a 1.47-inch 320 x 172 TFT display, weighs 16.5 grams, carries a 300mAh battery and offers 50 fitness modes with 5ATM protection.

The older tracker is actually rated for up to 18 days of typical use, four days more than the figure in this leak. Xiaomi may have changed its testing conditions, or the always-on screen may require a different display setup, but the headline battery number does not look like progress.

This looks like the entry-level model

There is no sign of built-in GPS or NFC in the leaked specification sheet. Outdoor routes will therefore probably depend on a connected phone, while contactless payments look unlikely.

That places the Active well below the regular Smart Band 11 described in an earlier specification leak. That device may come with a larger 1.78-inch AMOLED display, HRV, temperature sensing, EDA-based stress tracking and more than 200 sports modes, although none of those details have been confirmed by Xiaomi.

The distinction also leaves the new Active in a slightly awkward position. Our Smart Band 10 review found that Xiaomi’s current regular model already offers a bright 1.72-inch AMOLED screen, more than 150 sports modes and strong exercise heart-rate performance, while keeping the usual long battery life. And that one is pretty budget friendly, as well.

Xiaomi has not announced the Smart Band 11 Active or confirmed its price. For now, it looks like a cheap and lightweight tracker for steps, sleep, basic workouts and notifications, but the leaked headline specs give Smart Band 9 Active owners very little reason to upgrade.

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.

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The patent application, titled Glucose Monitoring, was published on July 16 by the USPTO, under the number US 2026/0198807 A1. WHOOP filed it in January 2026, claiming priority from a provisional application submitted one year earlier.

How WHOOP’s glucose sensor would work

The proposed system shines selected wavelengths of light into the wearer’s tissue. Glucose absorbs some wavelengths differently from others, allowing the wearable to look for changes that may correspond to glucose concentration.

The filing describes WHOOP using two optical channels for this. One sensor measures wavelengths associated with glucose absorption, while a second records a reference spectrum. The software compares the two readings and calculates glucose concentration from the resulting ratio.

That reference measurement could help filter out some of the background noise that makes optical glucose sensing so difficult. Skin thickness, hydration, movement, temperature and other molecules can all change the amount of light reaching a sensor.

The application also describes using quantum dots or other tightly controlled light emitters. An optical layer containing glucose, or another material with similar absorption characteristics, could provide an additional reference signal inside the sensor itself.

The patent covers much more than a wristband

The main drawings show a screenless wrist-worn device that looks similar in looks with WHOOP’s existing approach. Sensors sit against the skin, while the wearable communicates with a phone and remote servers for further analysis. So no major changes there.

But the company has kept the broader claims flexible. The technology could appear in bicep bands, patches, fingertip devices, earbuds, eyewear, headbands and smart clothing with multiple removable sensor modules.

That breadth does not mean WHOOP plans to manufacture every one of those products. Patent applications commonly cover numerous configurations so that competitors cannot easily use the same sensing method in a slightly different form.

The patent does not show how this information would appear inside the WHOOP app. It also gives no indication that WHOOP 5.0 or WHOOP MG contains the necessary optical hardware, so this looks more like work for a future device than a dormant feature waiting to switch on.

Accuracy remains the real challenge

Wearable companies have pursued non-invasive glucose sensing for years, but turning a weak optical signal into reliable glucose readings remains difficult. Detecting a broad trend is one thing, while producing numbers that people can trust for medical decisions is something else entirely.

WHOOP’s reference channel and calibration methods appear designed to address part of that problem. However, the patent provides no clinical accuracy figures, error margins or testing results.

It is also unclear whether WHOOP wants to produce medical-grade glucose measurements or a broader wellness feature that tracks relative changes. The second option could arrive sooner, particularly if the company avoids presenting the readings as a replacement for a conventional glucose monitor.

For now, this remains a patent rather than a product announcement. Still, most of the WHOOP patents we have covered in the past have eventually translated into real-world products or features, so this one is worth taking seriously.

What is clear is that the company is looking beyond the measurements it offers today. Another recent patent describes a sensor that could be worn on different parts of the body, with muscle oxygen tracking among the more interesting ideas. Add glucose monitoring to the mix and it seems WHOOP is exploring a much wider set of health signals

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

Source: USPTO patent application

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