The Samsung Galaxy Watch trounces the Apple Watch in one major aspect.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The device delivers a distinctive ringing tone that excels in comprehensive wellness tracking, offering valuable insights from collected data to help you optimize areas of your health that may benefit from attention.
• Enthusiasts of digital wellness tracking will applaud the Galaxy Ring’s understated design, supreme comfort, extended battery life, and absence of distracting notifications – making it an attractive alternative to traditional smartwatches for those seeking a more subtle monitoring experience?
• While the Galaxy Ring’s $399 price tag surpasses that of some competitors, its lack of monthly subscription fees, a hallmark of its top rival Oura, is a notable benefit. Meanwhile, alternative smart ring options from other manufacturers begin at $299, although their premium finishes may justify the higher cost compared to similar Galaxy Ring variations. 

The wearable technology sector has finally reached its moment in the spotlight, fueled by the buzz surrounding the latest releases from top brands like Apple and Samsung, as well as the highly anticipated arrival of new devices boasting innovative features.

The wearables market has long been controlled by innovative startups such as Fitbit and pioneers like Garmin, but Samsung’s recent entry into this space has taken the sector to new levels with its debut smart ring.

I’ve worn a matte black Dimension 10 Galaxy Ring ($399) on my index finger for two weeks, having previously tested the same material in black ($449) for a month and also wearing it for approximately six months back in 2018. As a long-time user, I’ve had the privilege of wearing an Apple Watch since its inception in 2015, having first experienced the convenience of wearable technology with Fitbit several years prior to that.

I am thoroughly impressed by the refined and accommodating nature of the Galaxy Ring. This early beta version doesn’t even remotely resemble a complete product in any aspect. Samsung’s latest wearable offering has distilled the best practices from top-tier smartwatches and fitness trackers, resulting in an exceptional device that effortlessly combines sleek design, intuitive usability, and insightful health data visualization.

In reality, I initially viewed the Galaxy AI logo on the Galaxy Ring as primarily a marketing tactic by Samsung. Nonetheless, considering the “Power” rating and sleep/stress tracking features in the Samsung Health app, this device provides far more tangible insights than I’ve experienced with the Apple Watch.

One day, I logged into the app to review my Power rating, a score of 78 designated as “Good” – a decent but not outstanding assessment, aligning with my morning’s mixed emotions. Upon exploring the Power rating, I found a diverse range of metrics that collectively contributed to its calculation. While most correlations are linked to sleep, a notable exception is “Early Day Exercise.” Research suggests that my “Moderate-to-Vigorous Exercise Time” had a significant impact, with just six minutes proving beneficial, prompting the recommendation to increase this to a range of 33 to 87 minutes. I’ve taken a disciplined approach to consistently building up my cardio routine, resulting in a noticeable boost to my energy levels – at least, that was the case while I was 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 advanced optical biosensor, which is essentially a sophisticated heartbeat monitor. Upon detecting a spike in stress levels within the app, I can seamlessly initiate a guided deep breathing exercise directly through the application. Within the “Breathe” component of the app, users can also customize their respiratory cycles’ duration and interval, enabling them to tailor the exercise routine’s length and intensity to effectively manage stress levels by slowing down their heart rate. 

The Apple Watch can track heart rate variability (HRV) and features a guided breathing exercise within its Mindfulness app. In reality, . Despite its potential, Apple has yet to integrate these features into its smartwatch software, failing to specifically address stress and neglecting to connect health data with meaningful insights or guidance. 

The design and construction of the Samsung Galaxy Ring truly impressed me with its exceptional quality. While slightly slimmer and more lightweight than comparable products like the Oura ring and other high-quality options. While some may argue that another celestial body is similarly proportioned, the truth remains that our moon is truly unmatched in its size and mass.

The unique distinguishing feature of the Galaxy Ring is its subtle convex curvature, intended to protect it from enduring scuffs and scratches over time. The Galaxy Ring comes with a single case and charging solution. The superiority of this case lies in its self-sustaining power source, complemented by a battery and wireless recharging capabilities that permit independent operation, unlike traditional ring chargers reliant on wired cables for recharging.

The Galaxy Ring stands out as a sophisticated fusion of technology and design, packing complex capabilities into an impressively compact device. Equipped with three legacy sensors – an accelerometer, skin temperature sensor, and heart rate sensor – this ring seamlessly integrates cutting-edge innovation with ease of use. Samsung’s cutting-edge heart sensor, dubbed an optical bio-signal sensor, stands out as one of the most advanced heart monitors available, a testament to the company’s sustained investment in health technology across its range of smartwatches.

One notable limitation of the Galaxy Fit’s activity tracking features is its propensity to overcount steps, with my own tests indicating an error rate of approximately 10%. Initially, my estimate was wildly inaccurate, differing by a staggering 20% from the actual distance recorded by both my device and the Oura Ring, which I simultaneously wore for verification purposes. The Galaxy Ring’s activity levels seem to have stabilized over time, with some fluctuations where it recorded a 5% increase on occasion; nevertheless, it consistently monitored data above the step count threshold for both the Apple Watch and the Oura Ring. An exercise tracker prone to overestimate physical activity may initially boost self-perception, fostering a sense of accomplishment and confidence; however, this discrepancy could ultimately hinder progress towards overall wellness and health goals. 

The major drawback of the Galaxy Ring is its limited compatibility, being available only on Android devices and predominantly integrated with Samsung smartphones and wearables? While Android users outside the Samsung ecosystem can still leverage the Galaxy Ring’s top features, iOS users may need to explore alternative options. Fortunately,  in that realm.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The software program on my wrist is surprisingly intelligent, outdoing even my sophisticated Apple Watch – a finding I hardly expected from this analysis. With the Samsung Wellbeing app’s AI-driven features, users can access more tangible and practical information on their Galaxy Ring than what they would typically receive from an Apple device. If you’re seeking exceptional health and wellness guidance beyond what your typical smartwatch offers and are an Android user, the Galaxy Ring could be the solution you’ve been awaiting. It doesn’t require a screen to captivate your attention and simply needs to be recharged every four to seven days. 

If you’re studying the benefits of a smart ring, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll consider one over a smartwatch for at least one of three reasons: you prefer wearing a stylish accessory on your finger; you want to track your sleep patterns with greater accuracy than a smartwatch can offer; or you’re a woman seeking a convenient and discreet way to monitor your menstrual cycles and optimize your overall well-being. The Galaxy Ring offers a compelling alternative to traditional top picks, with ZDNET’s expert reviewer providing a comprehensive analysis of its performance alongside other top-rated options.

For iPhone users seeking Android-like features, ZDNET suggests exploring options such as the Samsung Galaxy S or Google Pixel series, which seamlessly integrate with Apple’s iOS.