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On the Galaxy Unpacked occasion the place Samsung absolutely unveiled its Galaxy S24 telephones, the corporate additionally teased a brand new wearable known as the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Within the weeks that adopted, we picked up on some engaging rumors, however Samsung stayed tight-lipped on particulars about its first good ring — for a time, anyway. Samsung introduced its Galaxy Ring to MWC 2024, and we have since discovered each extra official information and heard extra rumors. This is every part we all know concerning the Samsung Galaxy Ring, plus what we hope to see.
Samsung Galaxy Ring: What we all know to this point
Samsung has opened up
Whereas we first heard concerning the Samsung Galaxy Ring in a one-more-thing-style teaser after Galaxy Unpacked in January, we have lastly began getting extra concrete information: Samsung’s been displaying the Galaxy Ring off at MWC. Android Police hasn’t really had the prospect to work together with the brand new wearable, however we have discovered fairly a bit about it.
The Galaxy Ring is confirmed to come back in 9 sizes — 5 by 13 — and three finishes: black, silver, and gold. It is also notably gentle for a sensible ring: the heaviest Galaxy Ring will weigh tip the scales at 2.9 grams. That is lower than half the load of the heaviest Oura Ring configuration, which weighs six grams.
Oura Ring Era 3 overview: Luxurious well being monitoring in your finger
The $300 Oura Ring at the moment leads the area
The Galaxy Ring will debut a brand new well being system known as My Vitality Rating. At first look, it sounds prefer it’ll work rather a lot like different readiness-style well being wearable options, offering personalised insights primarily based on quite a few tracked well being metrics. Samsung additionally says the Watch 6 and Galaxy S24 might be getting My Vitality Rating ultimately.
Samsung guarantees “lengthy” battery life however does not elaborate additional. On iOS compatibility, Samsung’s Hon Pak informed CNET he hopes that Samsung “units are of such caliber that individuals might be prepared to modify,” which definitely makes it sound just like the Galaxy Ring might be Android-exclusive. Lastly, Samsung says we will count on the Galaxy Ring on retailer cabinets earlier than the tip of 2024, however has not shared pricing information.
In March, a Samsung consultant informed Korean-language outlet Chosun Biz that the Galaxy Ring will combine with Samsung Meals, a meal-planning app Samsung acquired in 2023 (on the time known as Whisk) to create meal plans which are by some means knowledgeable by information measured by the Galaxy Ring. It is not but clear precisely how this integration will work.
We have heard rumors, too
Supply: Samsung
Earlier than Samsung’s Unpacked announcement, the one unofficial information we heard concerning the Galaxy Ring was that Samsung would accomplice with Japanese electronics producer Meiko to supply parts for the wearable. That is nonetheless unconfirmed, however Samsung labored with Meiko on the Galaxy S23 sequence.
Shortly after the official tease at Unpacked, analyst Avi Greengart claimed to have had hands-on time with prototypes of the Galaxy Ring. Greengart described the ring as “ridiculously gentle” and mentioned Samsung plans to launch it in three finishes, with sizes as much as 13, all particulars which have since been confirmed by Samsung. He additionally claimed that the ring might be launched someday in 2024 and that pricing hasn’t been finalized — all of which, once more, nonetheless checks out.
As reported by SamMobile, a now-deleted LinkedIn submit from a Samsung exec mentioned {that a} “new well being & wellness wearable product” is coming within the latter half of this yr, which jibes with what Samsung has since formally mentioned at MWC. A 2H 2024 launch window would possibly coincide with Samsung’s subsequent technology of foldables, which we count on will launch this summer time.
A March report says that Samsung intends to start producing its ring in earnest beginning this Might, and that the corporate intends to have 400,000 models produced forward of the gadget’s official launch. If that is true, it appears Samsung’s betting large on the Galaxy Ring.
Samsung Galaxy Ring: What we need to see
There are nonetheless a whole lot of query marks across the Samsung Galaxy Ring, however we now have loads of hopes for the upcoming wearable. This is what we might prefer to see.
No subscription charges
Probably the most distinguished participant within the good ring area, Oura, expenses a subscription price to entry most options its third-gen Oura Ring affords. Different rings, just like the Ultrahuman Ring Air, do not require month-to-month dues. The price of the ring’s continued performance is constructed into the preliminary buy worth.
Samsung does not provide a paid tier of its Samsung Well being platform, which the Galaxy Ring will tie into. We’re hoping that does not change with the discharge of the corporate’s first good ring. This stuff usually value a whole bunch of {dollars}, so paying more cash after the very fact is an unappealing proposition for a lot of customers.
Full compatibility with non-Samsung telephones
Samsung’s current wearables, just like the Galaxy Watch 6, work with Android telephones from all producers. Sure area of interest capabilities, similar to EKG measurements, require the Samsung Well being Monitor app. The app is simply formally accessible on Samsung’s telephones. It appears unlikely a sensible ring would provide options that might be restricted to Samsung’s {hardware} ecosystem. Nonetheless, the Galaxy Ring might be a greater product if it really works with telephones from Google or OnePlus in addition to Samsung’s telephones.
Samsung has implied that the Galaxy Ring might be Android-exclusive, however hasn’t shed any gentle on characteristic compatibility amongst completely different Android producers.
Sturdy finishes
The 2 good rings we have spent essentially the most time with, the third-gen Oura Ring and the Ultrahuman Ring Air, confirmed important put on comparatively shortly. The mirror-finish gold coating on the Oura Ring ultimately gave solution to the grey titanium beneath in spots, and the Ring Air’s matte black end picked up some gnarly scuffs inside days of placing it on. Given good rings are investments most individuals will need to maintain onto for years, sturdiness is necessary.
A handy charger
Many good rings include charging pucks which have USB-C enter for energy, a design that’s extremely handy. The RingConn Good Ring takes it a step additional with a clamshell charging case much like those many true wi-fi earbuds have. We’re crossing our fingers that Samsung’s Galaxy Ring does not have a smartwatch-style charger completely hooked up to a USB cable. As an alternative, we hope it affords one thing with USB-C enter for extra flexibility (taking inspiration from RingConn and providing an non-obligatory charging case would not be unhealthy).
Contactless fee help
This one’s a little bit of an extended shot. Given Samsung would be the first good ring producer with a longtime fee platform in Samsung Pay, it could be unbelievable if the Galaxy Ring may make contactless funds the best way Samsung’s smartwatches can.
Safety would current an attention-grabbing problem. To activate contactless funds on a Put on OS watch, you have to set a display screen lock on the wearable, which is not potential on a screenless ring. Activating a smartwatch’s cellular pockets additionally requires interacting with the gadget in sure methods, which is not potential with a sensible ring.
It is potential safety might be adequately addressed with settings within the Samsung Wearable cellular app and a few strongly worded warnings about not placing your hand close to fee terminals you do not intend to work together with or different means we’re not contemplating.
Samsung Galaxy Ring: Coming this yr
Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Ring is supposed to launch someday in 2024, however that is all we formally learn about its availability. One rumor locations its launch date within the second half of the yr. That would imply the Galaxy Ring will launch this summer time, timing that would see the wearable hitting retailer cabinets alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6.
Should you’re interested in good rings and unconvinced the Galaxy Ring will carry something new to the desk, take a look at our prime good ring suggestions from the likes of Oura, RingConn, Ultrahuman, and extra.