Samsung Galaxy Ring: Tech giant launches “smart ring”

PARIS: Samsung introduced the Samsung Galaxy Ring, a new smart ring aimed at entering the competitive smart ring market currently dominated by Oura.

The new tech by the Smith Korean tech giant was unveiled at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris, France. The Galaxy Ring is primarily advertised as a health tracking device.

Design and build

According to the company, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is crafted from grade 5 titanium, chosen for its lightweight properties and durability. This is to ensure “comfort” during extended wear.

It weighs between 2.3 grams and 3 grams depending on size, with dimensions of 7mm width and 2.6mm thickness. The colours available for the smart ring include matte titanium black, matte titanium silver, and glossy titanium gold.

Functionality

In terms of functionality, the creators of the Galaxy Ring claim that it possesses “robust” technical specifications. It features 10 ATM water resistance, capable of withstanding pressures equivalent to 100 meters underwater.

It is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.

Health and fitness tracking

Equipped with multiple sensors, the Galaxy Ring is tasked with monitoring essential health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, respiratory rate, and menstrual cycles. The sensors utilise overnight skin temperature measurements for accurate data collection.

The company integrated an advanced sleep artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that helps the ring get detailed sleep scores and insights similar to the Oura Ring, without requiring a subscription fee.

Specifications

The Galaxy Ring has 8MB of memory. It includes an accelerometer, which tracks movement and activity levels. It also integrates a PPG sensor for monitoring heart rate, providing real-time heart rate data.

The Galaxy Ring also features a skin temperature sensor to measure temperature changes, aiding in health monitoring. The ring supports Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4 for easy and efficient data syncing with smartphones through the Samsung Health app.

Battery life and charging

Battery life varies with size, offering up to six days for sizes 5-11 with an 18mAh battery. Meanwhile, the smart ring can work up to seven days for sizes 12-13 equipped with a larger 23.5mAh battery.

Charging is facilitated through a transparent multifunctional charging case with a 361mAh battery and LED indicators for monitoring charging status.

Features and compatibility

The Galaxy Ring offers gesture controls for Samsung smartphones, allowing users to perform actions like taking photos or dismissing alarms with simple gestures.

It is compatible with Android smartphones through the Samsung Health app, to synchronise health data “seamlessly”. However, it does not currently support iPhones, limiting its functionality to Android devices only.

Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is priced at $399.99 and will be available for pre-order starting July 10, with full availability beginning on July 24. It can be purchased from Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, and select retailers.

Ordering directly from Samsung’s website includes a free sizing kit to ensure the ring fits accurately.