Samsung is targeting fitness and health-tracking enthusiasts with its latest wearable, the Galaxy Ring. Unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, this device is part of Samsung’s expanding ecosystem enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI).
Smart rings, equipped with miniature sensors to monitor various health metrics, have traditionally been a niche market. However, their recent spotlight due to the England men’s football team has sparked wider interest. Samsung, now the largest tech company to venture into the smart ring space, aims to bring these devices into the mainstream.
Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight, considers this an “interesting bet” for Samsung, predicting a global market of around four million smart rings by 2025. Despite this, he notes that smart rings are still a small segment compared to the 250 million smartwatches expected to be sold in the same timeframe. However, some experts believe Samsung’s entry could significantly boost the popularity of smart rings. Francisco Jeronimo, an analyst for market research firm IDC, suggests that for many consumers, Samsung’s Galaxy Ring will be their first experience with smart rings, potentially driving long-term market growth.
James Kitto, vice president and head of Samsung’s mobile division in the UK & Ireland, called the launch a “huge moment” for the company.
What Are Smart Rings?
Smart rings can monitor health metrics such as heart rate, sleep, and menstrual cycles. The market leader is currently the Finnish company Oura. In recent years, smart rings have become popular among celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, as a fashionable fitness tech accessory. Analysts believe their compact and sleek design might position them as successors to smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch.
James Kitto described the Galaxy Ring as Samsung’s “smallest and most discrete product yet,” providing accurate 24/7 health, wellness, and sleep tracking. While smartwatches typically offer a wider range of health data through more sensors, smart rings offer a comfortable and stylish alternative, especially for those who prefer not to wear a bulky smartwatch overnight.
The Galaxy Ring is compatible with Android phones running Android 11 or above and requires the Samsung Health app. Some features, such as Energy Score and personalized suggestions, are exclusive to Galaxy devices.
Dr. Efpraxia Zamani, an associate professor of information systems at Durham University, noted that integrating the Galaxy Ring into Samsung’s broader ecosystem could be appealing for consumers. However, she cautioned users to be mindful of the data being collected and shared. “Being part of an ecosystem means data can be collected from the ring, watch, and phone, and when combined, this can have more significant implications,” she said.
