Samsung Galaxy Ring Pre-Release: Can It Dethrone the Oura Ring?
The wearable tech market is about to get a major shakeup. With the upcoming release of the Samsung Galaxy Ring, health enthusiasts are paying close attention. We are looking at the leaked features of this new smart ring to see if it can actually dethrone the current champion, the Oura Ring.
What We Know About the Galaxy Ring Hardware
Samsung officially teased the Galaxy Ring earlier this year and finally let people see prototype versions at Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona. Based on these early hands-on looks, Samsung is focusing heavily on a lightweight and comfortable design.
The Galaxy Ring is expected to come in three distinct colors: ceramic black, platinum silver, and gold. To ensure a perfect fit, Samsung plans to offer the ring in standard US sizes ranging from 5 to 13. Interestingly, the size of the ring will directly impact its internal battery capacity. Leaks indicate that the smallest size 5 ring will feature a 14.5mAh battery, while the largest size 13 will house a 21.5mAh battery. Samsung executives have stated this should translate to a battery life of roughly five to nine days on a single charge.
This hardware profile makes the Galaxy Ring incredibly competitive. For comparison, the Oura Ring Generation 3 weighs between four and six grams depending on the size. Samsung’s prototypes reportedly weigh between 2.3 and 2.9 grams. A lighter ring is much more comfortable for continuous wear, especially while sleeping.
Leaked Health Tracking Features
The true test of any smart ring is its internal sensors. Samsung is packing the Galaxy Ring with an impressive array of health-tracking technology designed to monitor your body around the clock.
The Vitality Score
The most prominent leaked feature is a new metric called the “My Vitality Score.” This is Samsung’s direct answer to the Readiness Score found on the Oura Ring. The Vitality Score will analyze multiple data points to tell you how physically and mentally prepared you are for the day. This score relies on four primary metrics:
- Total sleep duration and sleep quality
- Daily physical activity levels
- Resting heart rate
- Heart rate variability (HRV)
Advanced Sleep Monitoring
Sleep tracking is a major selling point for smart rings because they are far less bulky than smartwatches. The Galaxy Ring will track your sleep stages, blood oxygen levels (SpO2), and skin temperature while you rest. Furthermore, Samsung recently received FDA clearance for a sleep apnea detection feature within the Samsung Health app. It is highly likely the Galaxy Ring will support this sleep apnea monitoring by tracking drops in blood oxygen over multiple nights.
Heart Rate and Fertility Tracking
Just like the Galaxy Watch series, the ring will provide continuous heart rate monitoring. It will alert users to abnormally high or low resting heart rates. Samsung is also continuing its partnership with the birth control app Natural Cycles. The Galaxy Ring will use its built-in skin temperature sensors to track overnight temperature changes, allowing users to track their menstrual cycles and predict fertility windows accurately.
The Samsung Health Ecosystem Advantage
One of the biggest advantages Samsung holds over Oura is its existing hardware ecosystem. If you already own a Samsung Galaxy phone or a Galaxy Watch 6, the Galaxy Ring is designed to work perfectly alongside them.
Samsung has confirmed that users can wear both a Galaxy Watch and a Galaxy Ring at the same time. The Samsung Health app is smart enough to pull data from both devices simultaneously. If the watch loses contact with your wrist while you sleep, the app will automatically rely on the ring for uninterrupted heart rate data. Using both devices might also extend the battery life of the ring, as the system can delegate tasks between the two trackers.
The Subscription Battle: Samsung vs. Oura
The Oura Ring Gen 3 starts at $299 for the basic Heritage model. However, to access your in-depth daily health data, Oura requires a $5.99 monthly subscription fee. Without this subscription, the Oura Ring only shows basic numerical scores without any detailed graphs or personalized insights.
This is where Samsung could secure a massive victory. Historically, Samsung has never charged a premium subscription fee to use the Samsung Health app. If the Galaxy Ring launches without a required monthly fee, it will immediately become a more cost-effective option for long-term users. Paying an estimated $300 upfront for the Galaxy Ring without any recurring costs makes it highly attractive compared to Oura’s subscription model.
Can Samsung Dethrone Oura?
Oura has dominated the smart ring market for years because they offer highly refined algorithms and an excellent user interface. However, Oura is a smaller, standalone company. Samsung brings massive manufacturing power, deep pockets for research, and a massive existing user base.
If Samsung can deliver accurate heart rate sensors, an easy-to-understand Vitality Score, and skip the monthly subscription fees, the Galaxy Ring has a very strong chance of taking the top spot in the smart ring market.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Samsung Galaxy Ring coming out? Samsung is expected to fully launch the Galaxy Ring in July 2024. The official reveal is anticipated to happen at the summer Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event, alongside the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 smartphones.
How much will the Samsung Galaxy Ring cost? While official pricing has not been announced, industry experts expect the Galaxy Ring to cost between $300 and $350 to remain competitive with the Oura Ring.
Will the Galaxy Ring work with an Apple iPhone? Current reports suggest that the Galaxy Ring will not support iOS devices at launch. It will be restricted to Android smartphones, and some advanced features may only work seamlessly with Samsung Galaxy phones.
Can I wear the Galaxy Ring while swimming? Although exact water resistance ratings are not officially confirmed, smart rings from competitors like Oura are water-resistant up to 100 meters. Samsung’s rings are expected to feature similar 5ATM or higher water resistance, making them safe for swimming and showering.