Does the Galaxy Ring mark a significant step forward in the battle of smart wearables?

Wearable technology has gradually evolved beyond wrist-based devices, and the Samsung Galaxy Ring is one of the most recent additions to this expanding sector. Unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10 in Paris, the AI-powered Galaxy Ring marks Samsung’s entry into the growing smart ring market. Its compact design and focus on essential health tracking make it an intriguing option for those who prefer a minimalistic approach. 

How does the Galaxy Ring stack up in a market saturated with advanced wearables? Let’s look at the specifications, features and the pros and cons of Samsung’s Galaxy Ring.

Let’s talk specs and features

The Galaxy Ring is designed to be worn around the clock, monitoring and analyzing a plethora of metrics about your body and overall wellness. Available in black, silver, and gold, the ring is crafted from lightweight titanium, weighing between 2.3 grams and 3 grams. It offers a 10ATM water resistance rating—quite standard among smart rings on the market—meaning it can withstand depths of up to 100 meters.

The ring is equipped with three essential sensors: an accelerometer to track movement, a skin temperature sensor for monitoring sleep and an optical bio-signal sensor to measure heart rate. It uses AI to provide actionable health insights based on ‌collected data. 

Here are some highlighted health-tracking features of the Galaxy Ring:

1. Sleep tracking 

The Galaxy Ring analyzes sleep patterns by monitoring light, deep and REM sleep stages and measuring heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature and snore frequency. Data gathered is processed through the Samsung Health app to generate a sleep score and actionable insights aimed at improving sleep quality.

2. Heart rate monitoring

The device keeps track of your heart rate all day long to provide you with real-time information for assessing your cardiovascular health. This feature can come in handy while working out, helping users maintain the appropriate intensity. The ring is a big boon for people with heart issues or for those interested in detailed heart health monitoring. 

3. Stress and energy levels monitoring

Keeping your physical and mental health in check requires an understanding of how stress impacts your body. The Galaxy Ring tracks your energy and stress levels to provide you with insights that can inform you about lifestyle adjustments, exercise routines and relaxation methods. 

4. Menstrual cycle tracking

This feature helps women track their periods and receive alerts tailored to their health data, facilitating better understanding and management of their physiological cycles. 

5. Fitness alerts and health advice

The Galaxy Ring acts as a virtual coach, delivering personalized fitness alerts and health recommendations based on the user’s activity levels and health statistics. It offers users guidance on achieving fitness goals and reminds them to stay active throughout the day.

How does it stand out from other smart wearables?

Comfort and design

The Galaxy Ring is praised for its comfort, with many users noting that its lightweight design makes it easy to forget it’s even on. This starkly contrasts with heavier smart wearables, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, which weighs around 33 grams and the Garmin Fenix 7, tipping the scale at about 79 grams. It’s even more lightweight than the popular Oura Ring 3, which varies between 4 and 6 grams in weight.  

A distinctive feature of the Galaxy Ring is its concave shape. This design choice means the ring’s outer surface is slightly indented, which offers extra protection against scuffs and scratches to the main body of the ring. 

Battery life

One of the significant features is its impressive battery life, lasting up to a week on a single charge, which takes about 80 minutes. This is a significant advantage over devices like the Galaxy Watch, which requires almost daily charging, as per user reviews.

Earbuds-style charging case

It comes with a compact, transparent charging case, allowing for easy on-the-go charging without the need for bulky cables or docks.

No subscription fee

Unlike some health trackers, the Galaxy Ring does not come with a subscription fee, offering full functionality out of the box without any additional costs.

Compatibility and integration with the Samsung ecosystem

The Galaxy Ring, a pioneering smart ring from a major tech brand, is designed for optimal performance with Android smartphones, particularly Galaxy devices. It is compatible with non-Samsung Android phones as well, provided the Samsung Health app is installed. This app serves as a central hub for health data and insights, enhancing the user experience by integrating seamlessly with the ring.

For those who pair the Galaxy Ring with a Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Samsung Health app intelligently selects the device providing the clearest signals for data collection. This selective syncing not only ensures the accuracy of health tracking but also conserves battery life in the device not currently being used for data pulls.

Innovative interaction: Double pinch gesture

The Galaxy Ring introduces a unique double pinch gesture—using the pointer finger—that allows users to perform specific actions such as snoozing alarms and taking photos. Currently, this functionality is exclusive to the Samsung Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, with plans to extend support to the S24 series very soon. This gesture feature, not available in other smart rings, highlights the innovative integration within the Samsung ecosystem.

Potential drawbacks of the Samsung Galaxy Ring

Lack of on-device display 

The absence of an on-device display is a major drawback. Users must rely on their smartphones to view health metrics, which may not be as convenient as the instant feedback provided by an Apple or Samsung smartwatch. 

Accuracy concerns

Despite its sophisticated sensors, the Galaxy Ring has been noted for inconsistent accuracy, according to a review. In tests against devices like the Huawei Watch GT 3 and the Strava app, the Galaxy Ring often delivered less reliable stats, struggling to differentiate between running and walking.

Higher price point

The Galaxy Ring is priced at around US$399, which is relatively high especially when compared to other options like the Oura Ring (starting at US$299), which offers more detailed sleep analysis for less.

Compatibility limitations with non-Samsung devices

Like the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra, Samsung’s Galaxy Ring does not currently support iOS devices—sorry iPhone users.  Moreover, certain features, like the new Health AI and Find My Ring, are exclusive to Samsung Galaxy phones and are not available when paired with other Android devices.

So…is the Galaxy Ring worth it?

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is an intriguing addition to the wearable industry, with a lightweight and comfortable design that includes important health-tracking functions. Its extended battery life and lack of a membership charge make it an appealing choice for customers. However, the ring’s dependency on the Samsung Health app, variable accuracy and lack of an on-device display may be turnoffs for some, especially given its relatively high price.

For those integrated into the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Ring could be a valuable addition, especially alongside other Samsung gadgets such as the Galaxy Watch. However, for individuals seeking a more precise and adaptable fitness tracker, options such as the Huawei Watch GT 3 or the Oura Ring may be more suitable.

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