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Introduction to the Samsung Galaxy Ring
The Galaxy Ring is Samsung’s latest foray into wearables for health enthusiasts and tech-savvy consumers alike. The sleek, compact ring packs a punch with advanced health monitoring capabilities and seamless integration with Samsung’s ecosystem.
Samsung is hoping to lure fitness and health-tracking technology lovers with its newest wearable device – the Galaxy Ring. It launched the device at its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday as the latest addition to its ecosystem of devices it says it is “supercharging” with artificial intelligence (AI).
Smart rings, which use tiny sensors to monitor various health metrics, have up to now been a niche product – though their recent use by the England men’s football team made headlines.
It seems Samsung is attempting to change that, becoming the largest tech company yet to enter the smart ring market.
Ben Wood, analyst at CCS Insight, says the product choice is an “interesting bet” for Samsung, with his company estimating that there will be a total global market of around four million smart rings in 2025.”That is a rounding error when compared with 250 million smartwatches that are also expected to be sold,” he told the BBC.
But others suggest Samsung may help make smart rings more mainstream. “For most consumers, the smart ring from Samsung will be the first contact they will have in the smart ring, and that top of mind awareness makes a huge difference in the long-term,” says Francisco Jeronimo, analyst for market research firm IDC. James Kit to, vice president and head of Samsung’s mobile division in the UK & Ireland, heralded the ring’s launch as a “huge moment” for the company.
What are smart rings?
Smart rings can track health indicators such as your heart rate, sleep and menstrual cycle.
The market is currently dominated by Finnish health tech firm, Oura. In recent years the rings have become a fitness tech fashion staple for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian.With their small size and sleeker appearance, analysts say they could become the successor to smart watches like the Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch. Mr Kitto described Samsung’s Galaxy Ring as its “smallest and most discrete product yet, offering accurate 24/7 health, wellness and sleep tracking.”
Smart watches typically have more sensors than smart rings, enabling them to access and provide a wider range of health data. But “less intrusive” smart rings can provide a convenient, comfortable and stylish alternative for those who do not want to wear a bulky smart watch, particularly overnight to track their sleep patterns, says Mr Jeronimo.
Samsung says the device will work with Android phones operated by Android 11 or above, providing you have the Samsung Health app. Some Galaxy AI features, such as getting an Energy Score and personalised suggestions based on your data, are only available on a Galaxy device. Dr Efpraxia Zamani, associate professor of information systems at Durham University, told the BBC that Samsung’s Galaxy Ring forming part of a wider ecosystem of products providing insights into users’ health and wellbeing may be an “attractive offering” for many consumers.
But she warned that users of products accessing and monitoring health data should remain wary of what data is being collected, how and where it is shared.
“Being part of an ecosystem, it means that data can be collected from the ring, from the watch, from the phone, and then, when put together, this can have even more negative impacts alongside the positive ones,” she said.The collecting of data relating to menstrual cycles has proven controversial in the past. Last year, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office launched a review of period and fertility tracking apps over data security concerns.
Samsung Galaxy Ring key capabilities
Advanced health monitoring: The lightweight device boasts a suite of sensors that continuously monitor key health metrics including sleep patterns, heart rate variability and activity levels 24 hours a day. That data is then analyzed using Samsung’s proprietary AI and algorithms to provide users with a new Energy Score, which details the personalized insights of the user’s overall well-being. Biofeedback and stress management: One of the standout features of the Galaxy Ring is the capabilities for real-time biofeedback, which rivals similar tech products from Apple. Using sensors embedded within the ring, it can detect stress levels and provide users with actionable insights and guided breathing exercises to help manage stress effectively.
Sleep tracking:- Building on Samsung’s expertise in sleep tracking, the Galaxy Ring offers detailed sleep analysis including stages of sleep — REM, deep, light — with insights to improve sleep quality over time.
Fitness and activity tracking:- Whether you’re into running, cycling or yoga, the Galaxy Ring can track various activities with precision. It will provide users with real-time stats during their workouts as well as summaries afterward to help the user stay motivated and achieve more fitness goals.
Integration with Samsung Health ecosystem:- The device can sync seamlessly with the Samsung Health app, allowing users to view all their health and fitness data in one place. This integration also enables users to set goals, track progress and receive personalized recommendations based on their activity and health metrics.
AT&T is the exclusive wireless carrier for the new Samsung Galaxy Ring, and the company’s SVP of Consumer Product, Erin Scarborough, said this gives health-focused customers “a new device that creates the perfect ecosystem with their smartphone. “The new smart watches and ring will utilize AT&T’s 5G technology which the company said will help ensure faster data transfer speeds, allowing for more data-intensive applications and real-time communication.
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy Ring with the Oura Ring
Now, let’s look at how the Samsung Galaxy Ring stacks up against the Oura Ring from Oura Health, which has multiple versions, when it comes to price and basic functionality. Materials and colors: The Galaxy Ring is made with Grade 5 Titanium and comes in three finishes: Titanium Black, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gold.
The Oura Ring is made of aerospace-grade Titanium and comes in two styles. The first is Horizon, “a sleek, circular design” that has six finish options including Brushed Titanium, Silver, Black, Stealth, Gold or Rose Gold. The Heritage, which is Oura Health “classic, plateau design,” comes in Silver, Black, Stealth or Gold finishes. Price: The Samsung Galaxy Ring is positioned competitively in the market with a starting price of $399.99, reflecting its advanced features and integration capabilities.
The Oura Ring starts at $299 for the Heritage style and $349 for the Horizon style. But one key difference is that the Oura Ring requires an additional membership, which is free for the first month then increases to $5.99 per month.
Water resistance:- With 10ATM water resistance for both devices, meaning it’s safe up to 100 meters deep, the Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring are suitable for showering, surface swimming or snorkeling, but not for greater depths like scuba diving.
Size and weight:- The Galaxy Ring has nine sizing options. The device is 7 mm wide and 2.6 mm thick and weighs between 2.3 grams and 3 grams, depending on the band size. Customers receive a sizing kit upon purchase to ensure they find the best fit. The Oura Ring weighs between 4 to 6 grams, depending on size, and is similar dimensions at 7.9 mm wide and 2.55 mm thick.
Battery life:- Samsung said the battery on a Galaxy Ring can last up to seven days with continuous usage. It comes with a portable charging case and wireless air buds.
According to the Oura Ring’s FAQ page, a fully charged ring “may last up to seven days,” but the company notes that battery life can vary depending on how old the ring is and how often you use certain features, and that all rechargeable batteries “have a limited lifespan, so their capacity and performance will gradually decline over time.”
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