Samsung Finally Launches Galaxy Ring, But That Won’t Be a Problem for Apple Ring

Samsung just launched its Galaxy Ring, but the wearable competitor is unlikely to pose a challenge to Apple’s much-rumored Ring. At its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10, Samsung unveiled a number of products highlighting the Galaxy Ring, a new category for the company that it had previously hinted at.

The Galaxy Ring, as the name suggests, is a smart ring. Like a smartwatch, it can provide information about the wearer’s health and fitness, but in a much more compact format. It looks like a regular ring on the outside, but inside it is a layer of sensors that monitor the wearer’s vital signs. It weighs between 2.3 and 3.0 grams, depending on the size and material, and has a smooth, concave shape with a grade 5 titanium coating for durability.

Samsung claims that its ring can withstand 10 atmospheres of pressure and has IP68 water and dust resistance. The battery lasts for seven days thanks to an 18 mAh battery and a 361 mAh charging case. Inside, it includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor to monitor changes in blood volume in the fingers, determine heart rate, a skin temperature sensor, and an accelerometer.

This trio of sensors provides automatic workout detection, real-time heart rate monitoring, heart rate alerts, and sleep tracking. With the Samsung Health platform, you can perform sleep analysis using an AI algorithm to track sleep patterns and suggest improvements to your rest habits. The ring also provides daily activity reminders with inactivity alerts and menstrual cycle tracking using skin temperature to track changes at night.

Galaxy AI generates a status report that includes the user’s health metrics. Part of this will be an Energy Score, which will offer recommendations based on the user’s physical condition. Since the ring does not have its own screen, it connects to the smartphone via Bluetooth 5.4. Apple users will not be able to try out the Galaxy Ring on their iPhones, as it is only compatible with Android devices.

In addition to its health benefits, the Galaxy Ring allows users to interact with their Galaxy smartphones. It offers support for gestures such as double-pinch to stop an alarm or take a photo. It also includes the Find My Ring feature in Samsung Find, which helps users locate their wearable device.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is now available for pre-order in select markets and will begin shipping on July 24 with a starting price of $399. It will be available in ring sizes 5 to 13 and will be offered in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gold.

First mover advantage but still against Apple Ring

The release of the Samsung Galaxy Ring may cause some to see it as a challenge for the Apple Ring. The Cupertino tech giant’s attempt has been the subject of rumors for nearly two decades, with speculation, rumors, and numerous patents surrounding the concept.

Since Samsung is entering the smart ring market before Apple, some might think that Samsung has a first-mover advantage if we ignore the existence of Oura. However, the Galaxy Ring is unlikely to pose a problem for the Apple Ring if it eventually launches.

For example, the launch of the Apple Watch in September 2014, which followed the launch of the Galaxy Gear in September 2013, did not affect Apple’s dominance in the smartwatch market. A 2023 report indicated that Apple Watch accounted for 34.1% of all smartwatch shipments in 2022, generating 60% of market revenue. Samsung, which was in second place, had only 9.8% of the market.

There is also the issue of ecosystem loyalty: iPhone users prefer the Apple Watch, and Android users do the same with their devices. Ring sales will likely follow the same ecosystem principles.

While the Apple Ring doesn’t currently exist outside of Apple’s labs, it’s too early to say for sure how the market will play out. However, Samsung certainly has an advantage in selling a physical product. But the Apple Ring will likely follow in the footsteps of the Apple Watch and quickly dominate the market.

Source: Appleinsider