Source – abcnews.go.com
Introduction and Design
After months of anticipation, Samsung has officially launched its latest wearable, the Samsung Galaxy Ring, priced at $399.99. Unveiled at the Unpacked event, this smart ring has generated significant buzz. During a brief hands-on session, the Galaxy Ring was impressed with its sleek design and innovative features.
Available in gold, silver, and black, the Galaxy Ring boasts a titanium frame, offering both durability and style. The gold variant, in particular, stands out with its shiny finish. The ring measures 7mm wide and 2.6mm thick, feeling slim and lightweight. It is water-resistant up to 10ATM and has an IP68 rating, ensuring it can withstand various conditions.
Innovative Charging Case
The Galaxy Ring’s charging case is a highlight, featuring a futuristic transparent design with LED indicators. Unlike the puck-shaped docks of other smart rings, this case is practical and portable, making it easy to carry in a bag. The case holds 1.5 times the charge, and the ring itself offers six to seven days of battery life, with a full charge taking about 80 minutes.
Samsung also provides a sizing kit to ensure a perfect fit, crucial for smart rings. Finger sizes can vary, and an accurate fit impacts both comfort and battery life. The smaller sizes (5 to 11) offer six days of battery life, while the larger ones (12 and 13) can last up to seven days.
Introducing Samsung Galaxy Ring
Health Tracking and Features
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is primarily a health tracker, similar to the Oura Ring. It includes sensors such as an accelerometer, optical heart rate sensor, and skin temperature sensor. Users can track sleep, heart rate, and activity levels. New features like Energy Score and Wellness Tips use Galaxy AI to provide personalized insights based on sleep and activity data.
Health tracking is comprehensive, with functions like cycle tracking, heart rate alerts, live readings, auto workout detection, and inactivity alerts. The ring also emphasizes sleep tracking, offering a sleep score based on various metrics. However, it lacks FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection and irregular heart rhythm notifications, which are available on Galaxy Watches.
Integration with Samsung Ecosystem
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is designed to work seamlessly within the Samsung ecosystem, but it is only compatible with Android devices that can run the Samsung Health app. Features like Energy Score and Find My Ring are exclusive to Galaxy phones. When paired with a Galaxy Watch, the Samsung Health app can choose the best data source, potentially extending battery life.
A standout feature is the double pinch gesture, which allows users to control their phone’s camera or dismiss alarms hands-free. This gesture, similar to the Apple Watch’s double tap, is currently limited to the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 but will soon be available on the S24.
The Potential
The Samsung Galaxy Ring combines sleek design, practical features, and seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem. While its success will depend on accurate tracking and battery life, Samsung has set a high standard for the future of smart rings. The Galaxy Ring’s innovative features and practical design could make it a leader in the smart ring market, pushing the boundaries of wearable technology.
