Samsung’s first smart ring, the Galaxy Ring, promises to revolutionize the wearable market by combining advanced health monitoring with an elegant design. This comprehensive review explores every aspect of this innovative wearable, from its design and materials to its health tracking capabilities, AI features, and battery life.
Release date: Preorders from July 10, available late July
Price: $399
Health features: Heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, “Vitality” score, skin temperature tracking, menstrual cycle predictions
Smart features: Integration with Galaxy devices, gesture controls
Design: Colors available in black, gold, and silver; nine sizes (5-13)
Battery capacities: 18mAh, 18.5mAh, and 23.5mAh
Background and Announcement
The Galaxy Ring had its first official announcement at the Galaxy Unpacked summer 2024 event on July 10, with preorders opening the same day and an expected shipment date at the end of July (Samsung News) (Samsung Business Insights). However, its initial appearance was brief, sharing the stage with the Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra without detailed launch information. Earlier in the year, Samsung showcased the ring at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in February, again without providing specifics (Samsung News).
Samsung trademarked the name Galaxy Ring back in February 2023, indicating its long-term commitment to this new product line. The company even pre-emptively filed a legal challenge against Oura, a prominent competitor, to protect its market position. This lawsuit hinted at a launch around August, reflecting Samsung’s aggressive strategy to enter and dominate the smart ring market (Samsung).
Design and Materials
The Samsung Galaxy Ring stands out with its sleek and modern design. It features a durable titanium casing, known for its lightweight yet resilient properties. The ring is available in three colors:
- Titanium Black: Offers a sleek, modern look.
- Titanium Gold: Adds a touch of elegance and warmth.
- Titanium Silver: Provides a cool and contemporary vibe (Samsung).
With nine different sizes (5 to 13), the Galaxy Ring ensures a perfect fit for every user. Samsung provides a sizing kit to help users find the ideal size before purchase. The ring’s weight ranges from 2.3g to 3.0g depending on the size, making it light enough for comfortable all-day wear.
The design of the Galaxy Ring is not just about aesthetics. Its ergonomic shape ensures that it is comfortable to wear all day, whether you are working, exercising, or sleeping. The titanium construction offers durability and resistance to daily wear and tear, including up to 100 meters of water resistance (10ATM) and an IP68 rating, ensuring protection against dust and water immersion (Samsung) (Samsung News).
Health and Fitness Tracking
The Galaxy Ring excels in health and fitness tracking, offering a comprehensive suite of features to monitor vital signs and activity levels. Here are the main health tracking features:
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Continuous heart rate tracking helps users stay informed about their cardiovascular health. The ring uses optical sensors to measure heart rate accurately, providing real-time data that syncs with the Samsung Health app.
- Sleep Tracking: The ring provides detailed analysis of sleep patterns, helping users optimize their rest. It tracks various sleep stages, including light, deep, and REM sleep, offering insights into sleep quality and duration.
- Activity Tracking: The ring monitors various activities and workouts, providing insights into calories burned, steps taken, and overall activity levels. It supports automatic detection of common activities like walking, running, and cycling.
- Skin Temperature Monitoring: The ring tracks body temperature changes, adding another layer of health insight. This feature is particularly useful for identifying patterns related to overall health and wellness (Samsung) (Samsung News).
The Galaxy Ring’s health tracking capabilities are enhanced by AI, which analyzes patterns and trends over time to offer personalized health recommendations. The AI algorithms learn from the user’s habits, providing proactive health tips and warnings based on the collected data (Samsung News) (Samsung News).
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is a critical aspect of any wearable device, and the Galaxy Ring does not disappoint. It offers impressive battery life, with capacities ranging from 18mAh to 23.5mAh depending on the size. Users can expect up to 7 days of usage on a single charge, making it a convenient option for those who do not want to charge their device frequently.
The charging case, which has a 361mAh battery, provides portable charging and can charge the ring to 40% in just 30 minutes. The ring supports multiple charging options, including wired charging, wireless charging, and wireless power sharing. The compact charging case measures 48.9mm x 48.9mm x 24.51mm and weighs 61.3g.
To check the battery level, users can refer to the indicator light on the charging case or the ring’s battery status light. Additionally, the Samsung Health app provides detailed battery status and notifications, ensuring that users always know when it is time to recharge (Samsung) (Samsung News) (Samsung Business Insights).
Durability and Connectivity
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is designed to withstand various conditions, featuring:
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters (10ATM), making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.
- IP68 Rating: Ensures protection against dust and water immersion.
Connectivity is ensured with Bluetooth 5.4, providing seamless integration with the Galaxy ecosystem. The ring pairs easily with a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone running Android 11 or higher, allowing users to sync their health data and receive notifications directly on their phone (Samsung) (Samsung News) (Samsung News).
The ring’s durability is further enhanced by its titanium construction, which offers resistance to scratches and corrosion. This makes it an ideal choice for users who engage in outdoor activities or require a robust wearable for everyday use (Samsung News) (Samsung Business Insights).
Additional Features
The Galaxy Ring includes several additional features to enhance the user experience:
- Quick Button: Allows instant initiation and control of workouts and can be customized for other functions. This feature is particularly useful for users who want quick access to their most-used functions.
- Emergency Siren: Provides added safety during workouts or emergencies. This feature can be activated to alert others in case of an emergency, making the ring a valuable safety tool (Samsung) (Samsung News).
AI Integration
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Ring is its AI integration. The ring uses advanced AI algorithms to analyze health data more accurately. This AI-driven approach learns from the user’s habits, providing personalized health insights and recommendations. For example, the AI can predict potential health issues based on historical data and suggest preventive measures.
The AI also enhances the accuracy of sleep tracking by analyzing sleep stages and providing tips for improving sleep quality. This AI-powered analysis helps users make informed decisions about their health and wellness, ensuring they get the most out of their Galaxy Ring (Samsung News) (Samsung) (Samsung News) (Samsung News).
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Ring was unveiled on July 10, 2024, with availability starting July 24, 2024. Priced starting at $399.99, it is available for pre-order through Samsung’s website, Samsung Experience Stores, Amazon, AT&T, and Best Buy. The ring is also eligible for Samsung Care+ coverage options, providing additional peace of mind for users (Samsung) (Samsung News) (Samsung Business Insights).
Comparisons and Market Position
In terms of pricing, the Samsung Galaxy Ring retails for $399, which is almost $100 more than the Oura Ring Gen-3. However, unlike the Oura Ring, the Galaxy Ring does not require a subscription to access its full range of features, potentially making it a more cost-effective option in the long run. The Oura Ring requires a $6/month subscription to access its premium features, which can add up over time.
The Galaxy Ring’s primary competitors include the Oura Ring, the Circular Pro 1, and the Ultrahuman Ring AIR. The Oura Ring costs $299, the Circular Pro 1 costs $410, and the Ultrahuman Ring AIR is priced at $349. Despite its higher price tag, the Galaxy Ring offers a comprehensive set of features and does not require a subscription, which could make it a more attractive option for many users (Samsung) (Samsung News) (Samsung News).
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
While the Samsung Galaxy Ring offers a wide range of features, there are some potential drawbacks and considerations to keep in mind. For starters, the ring is designed to work best with Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Users with other Android phones or iPhones may not be able to take full advantage of the ring’s features, which could limit its appeal to a broader audience.
Additionally, while the ring offers impressive battery life, it does not quite match Samsung’s initial promise of up to nine days of usage. Users may find that the actual battery life varies depending on their usage patterns and the specific features they use. This is an area where further testing and user feedback will be essential to determine the ring’s real-world performance (Samsung) (Samsung News) (Samsung News).
Final Thoughts and Outlook
Samsung’s entry into the smart ring market is a significant development, given the relatively few competitors in this space. The Galaxy Ring’s combination of advanced health tracking features, AI integration, and stylish design sets it apart from other wearables. Its focus on health and wellness, without the bulk of a smartwatch, could appeal to users looking for a discreet yet powerful health monitoring device.
The Galaxy Ring could also pave the way for Samsung to expand its health and fitness offerings, potentially introducing new products and services that build on this initial success. As Samsung continues to innovate and refine its wearable technology, the Galaxy Ring represents a promising first step into a new category of health-focused wearables (Samsung News) (Samsung) (Samsung News) (Samsung News) (Samsung Business Insights).
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a powerful addition to the wearable market, offering a blend of sophisticated design
