Samsung has taken a pioneering step in wearable technology by unveiling the Galaxy Ring, marking the debut of a smart ring among tech giants.
Announced alongside the new Galaxy Watch Ultra, the South Korean company introduced the Galaxy Ring on Tuesday, set to launch later this month.
Priced at £400, the Galaxy Ring boasts a battery life of up to seven days and is designed for continuous wear, monitoring users’ health metrics throughout the day and during sleep. Available in three colors—gold, silver, and black—and nine sizes, the ring utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze biometric data collected from the wearer, syncing seamlessly with the Samsung Health app.
Key features include assessing users’ well-being with an “energy score” ranging from one to 100, akin to virtual fitness coaching. Beyond health tracking, the ring allows users to perform actions like taking photos or silencing alarms through simple finger gestures.
While smart rings are not entirely novel—seen previously with the Finnish company Oura’s tracking rings worn by members of the England squad—Samsung’s launch sets a precedent among major competitors such as Apple and Google.
Industry expert Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, described Samsung’s move as an “interesting bet,” emphasizing the appeal of smart rings for users who may not wear smartwatches to bed, thus missing out on valuable sleep data.
However, he noted logistical challenges such as multiple size options requiring fitting kits, underscoring the importance of robust retail partnerships for successful market penetration.
Despite projections indicating a more modest adoption rate compared to smartwatches—estimated at around four million units in 2025 versus 250 million smartwatches—advocates like Dave Thomas from the UK Sports Institute highlight the convenience and practicality of smart rings, particularly for athletes who benefit from continuous wearable monitoring.
