A preview of the product page for the upcoming Ring Video Doorbell 3 shows some upgrades compared to the Video Doorbell 2. Dave Zatz on Zatz not funny has discovered the product page (it has apparently been removed since then), including a “pre-roll” feature for the Doorbell Plus model that captures four-second black-and-white video before a motion alarm goes off.
The product page described it as a first-to-market function for battery-powered doorbells and uniquely exclusive to Ring, although Zatz points out that video doorbells have this so-called “foresight” function, only not on batteries.
The basic design of the Video Doorbell 3 does not seem much different than its predecessor, but Zatz reports that the front plate of the new model is easier to remove; it has a “near” motion sensor to reduce false motion reports; and it will have 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wifi (only 2.4 GHz is available on the Video Doorbell 2).
It is not clear when the Video Doorbell 3 will be available, and Zatz notes that the product page did not mention support for Ring’s Sidewalk network standard or Apple HomeKit support (that is, it does not mean that they not included, only that neither was mentioned).
Zatz calls the Ring Video Doorbell 3 a “decent, small upgrade to Ring 2, with a smart upsell for those looking for a little more security,” adding that they are likely to cost between $ 199 and $ 229.
Amazon Ring has been under fire in recent months due to privacy and security issues. In January, the company added a new privacy dashboard for its app, allowing users to better manage their connected devices, including checking whether local police services can request video footage from an owner’s Ring Camera.