The Samsung Galaxy Ring boasts a distinctive concave design and comes with a standalone Wi-Fi charging case.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The wearable device provides a clear and practical alert system that excels in comprehensive wellness tracking, offering actionable data-driven insights to help users optimize their health by identifying areas needing attention.
- For those enthusiastic about digital wellbeing tracking, the Galaxy Ring’s understated design, comfort, extended battery life, and notification-free experience will likely resonate as a refreshing departure from traditional smartwatches.
- At $399, the Galaxy Ring is pricier than some of its competitors, yet it justifiably doesn’t necessitate a $5.99-per-month subscription like its closest rival, Oura; whereas, similarly finished options begin at $299, outpacing comparable Galaxy Ring variants in terms of value.
Wearable technologies have taken center stage in 2024, capitalizing on the momentum generated by the highly anticipated debut of the innovative wearable device, the subsequent surge in popularity of smart fabrics, and the unforeseen success of the breakthrough wearables app.
The smart ring market has long been led by innovative startups such as and former trailblazer, but Samsung’s recent entry marks a significant turning point, elevating the wearable technology to unprecedented heights.
I’ve been wearing a matte black Galaxy Ring, priced at $399, on my index finger for the past fortnight; this follows a trial period of one month with the matte black option, which retailed at $449, as well as an initial test lasting around six months in 2018. As a dedicated user since the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015, I’ve concurrently worn an Apple Watch on my wrist, while also having a long history with Fitbit wearables dating back to before that milestone year.
I’ve been utterly impressed by the Galaxy Ring’s exceptional polish and utility. This version is still far from being a fully functional and reliable solution. Samsung’s latest offering is a masterclass in design, ease-of-use, and effective information dissemination, drawing inspiration from industry leaders like smartwatches and fitness trackers to deliver a tool that sets new standards for the market.
The truth is, I initially thought the Galaxy AI stamp on the Galaxy Ring was primarily a marketing ploy by Samsung. Yet, the ring’s “Vitality” score and accompanying sleep and stress tracking within the Samsung Wellbeing app offer actionable insights that surpass those from my Apple Watch experience.
Wearable technology is experiencing a resurgence: Apple’s innovative Watch Series, Meta’s groundbreaking Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, and Samsung’s bold Galaxy Ring.
Upon logging into the app, I discovered my Vitality rating had dropped to 78, classified as “Good” but barely scraping the edge of excellence, mirroring my morning’s mood precisely. Upon delving into the Vitality rating, I found a wealth of metrics that collectively influenced its calculation. While most associations were linked to sleep, a notable exception was “Earlier day exercise.” Notably, my “moderate-to-vigorous physical activity” duration of just six minutes was improved upon by increasing it to 33-87 minutes, with positive consequences. I successfully adopted a more disciplined approach to consistently increasing my cardio workout, which surprisingly led to a noticeable energy boost – albeit only while using the product.
I found that the Galaxy Ring accurately monitors stress levels. The wearable device leverages coronary heart rate variability (HRV) data from its integrated optical biosensor, cleverly disguised as a heart-rate tracking module. Within seconds of detecting heightened stress levels through the app, I’m able to seamlessly launch into a calming guided deep breathing exercise from directly within the platform. Within the “Breathe” segment of the app, users can fine-tune their respiratory cycles and time-per-cycle settings to tailor workout durations and optimal heart rate reduction strategies for effectively managing stress levels.
The Apple Watch can monitor HRV and offers a guided breathing exercise through its Mindfulness app, promoting mindfulness and relaxation. The truth is, . Despite Apple’s efforts to create a comprehensive smartwatch experience, it has yet to integrate features that specifically address stress, nor does it connect user data to meaningful health insights or actionable wellness recommendations.
To achieve optimal fingerprint scanning, position the Galaxy Ring’s sensors directly under your finger at all times.
The superior design and construction of the Samsung Galaxy Ring left a lasting impression on me. Unlike many other wearable devices, including the popular Oura ring, this product stands out for its slim and lightweight design. While some stones are comparable in measurement and weight, the most comparable in terms of both attributes is likely the basalt stone.
Unlike many other watch designs, the Galaxy Ring’s unique feature is its subtle convex shape, which provides a natural defense against long-term wear and tear, effectively shielding it from scuffs and scratches. The Galaxy Ring bundle includes a single protective case and a charging solution. The distinct advantage of this product lies in its self-sustaining power source, equipped with a rechargeable battery that enables wireless charging on-the-go, setting it apart from traditional ring chargers that require a wired connection to replenish their power.
Unlike many other advanced rings, the Galaxy Ring distills complex technology into an impressively compact package while maintaining a surprisingly simple system comprising three well-established sensors: an accelerometer, skin temperature sensor, and heart rate sensor. Samsung’s cutting-edge optical bio-signal sensor, a crown jewel in its portfolio of health-centric smartwatches, boasts unparalleled excellence in the market, with years of dedicated investment in health technology by the company.
The Samsung Health app provides valuable insights and personalized training recommendations grounded in your health data.
While the Galaxy’s Ring is an excellent device, it does have a notable flaw: its pedometer consistently overestimates step counts by approximately 10% during my trials. Initially, my estimate was significantly inaccurate, with a 20% disparity emerging just a few days into attempting the ring, as compared to the actual data tracked by both the app and the Oura Ring I concurrently wore for verification purposes. Throughout its development, The Galaxy Ring consistently trended upward, with some periods showing a modest 5% increase, yet still consistently outpacing both the Apple Watch and Oura Ring’s step counts. While an exercise tracker that consistently overestimates physical activity might initially boost one’s confidence, it could ultimately hinder overall wellness and health goals by creating unrealistic expectations and impeding accurate progress tracking.
One notable limitation of the Galaxy Ring is its exclusive compatibility with Samsung devices, making it incompatible with other Android-based phones and watches. While Android users outside Samsung’s ecosystem can still leverage the Galaxy Ring’s top features, their iPhone counterparts may need to explore alternative solutions. Fortunately, in that realm.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The software program’s capabilities are surprisingly sophisticated, outsmarting even my Apple Watch – a revelation I never could have predicted through this assessment? With the Samsung Wellbeing app, users gain instant access to AI-driven insights that surpass the capabilities of even the Apple ecosystem. If you’re seeking enhanced wellbeing and wellness expertise beyond what top-rated smartwatches typically offer, and you’re an Android user, the Galaxy Ring may be the innovative solution you’ve been waiting for? It also doesn’t require a screen to captivate your attention, needing only occasional charging every four to seven days.
If you’re studying the benefits of wearing a good ring, there’s a strong likelihood that one of three factors is at play: either you prefer the aesthetic appeal of a ring over a smartwatch, or you’re drawn to its potential as a sleep tracker – which are often superior to those found on smartwatches – or you’re a woman looking to leverage a smart ring for menstrual cycle tracking and optimizing overall wellness. While the Galaxy Ring presents a superior option among the initial two choices, our expert at ZDNET concurs that a comprehensive comparative analysis is essential for evaluating its performance alongside other top-notch ring alternatives.
For iPhone users seeking benefits akin to Samsung’s Galaxy Ring, ZDNET suggests considering either the Mophie Juice Pack or the Anker PowerCore, both of which seamlessly integrate with Apple’s iOS.
