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In recent years, the wearable tech industry has seen rapid advancements, with smartwatches and fitness trackers dominating the market. However, one type of wearable that is gaining attention for its minimalist design and unique approach is the smart ring. The Samsung Galaxy Ring, which is the latest iteration of this technology, aims to offer a streamlined alternative to the traditional smartwatch. But does it live up to its promises? Let’s take a closer look at the Samsung Galaxy Ring, its design, functionality, and how it compares to other smart wearables.
The Concept of the Smart Ring
The idea behind smart rings isn’t new. In fact, the Oura Ring, one of the first successful smart rings, has been around for almost a decade, initially launching through Kickstarter. Since then, other companies have followed suit, with products like the Ultrahuman Ring and Motiv Ring. These rings promise to provide a more discreet and comfortable alternative to traditional wearables like smartwatches, which are often bulky and can be cumbersome for certain activities.
The key selling point of the Samsung Galaxy Ring is its all-day wearability. At just 2.6 millimeters thick, the ring is designed to blend seamlessly into your daily life. Whether you’re eating, sleeping, showering, or swimming, the idea is that you can wear it 24/7 without it getting in the way. It’s a fascinating concept, especially when you consider how much technology is packed into such a small device. Despite its compact form, the Galaxy Ring boasts impressive battery life, offering up to seven days of use on a single charge—an important feature for a wearable that’s meant to be worn all the time.
Design and Wearability
One of the most impressive aspects of the Galaxy Ring is its design. The ring is made of titanium, offering a sleek, durable, and lightweight feel. Samsung offers it in three colors—gold, silver, and matte black—making it easy to pair with any outfit or occasion. The matte black version, in particular, has a modern, minimalist aesthetic that can suit almost any style.
The sizing of the ring is another crucial factor. Since it’s designed to be worn 24/7, getting the correct size is important for comfort and accurate tracking. Samsung provides a sizing kit that allows users to try on different sizes to find the best fit. It’s a helpful tool, as the ring doesn’t offer adjustable sizing like a smartwatch does. While some users may find the ring comfortable after a few days, others may experience discomfort if it’s too loose or too tight. For example, I found that the ring was slightly loose on my finger, which led to gaps in my sleep tracking. Once I switched to a smaller size, it felt much better, and the tracking improved significantly.
It’s also worth noting that while the Galaxy Ring is meant to be worn on the index finger for optimal sensor readings, you can wear it on other fingers as well. However, wearing it on the ring finger, as some might assume, isn’t ideal for the best results.
Functionality and Features
When it comes to functionality, the Samsung Galaxy Ring doesn’t quite match the versatility of a smartwatch, but it offers a more focused set of features that may appeal to users who want a simple, low-maintenance wearable. The primary functions of the Galaxy Ring revolve around health and fitness tracking. The ring monitors calories burned, steps taken, and distance covered, providing valuable insights into daily activity levels. It also tracks sleep and provides an energy score, which is a numerical representation of how well-rested and energized you are throughout the day.
One standout feature of the Galaxy Ring is its ability to track your heart rate and other vital signs. The sensors in the ring are aligned on the palm side of the finger to capture more accurate readings than traditional wrist-worn devices. It’s a secret that many smartwatch manufacturers don’t often mention: the back of the wrist isn’t the best place to measure heart rate. The index finger, on the other hand, is much more ideal for these types of readings. While it may seem like a small difference, this positioning helps provide more accurate results for those who rely on their wearable for health monitoring.
However, when I compared the Galaxy Ring’s activity tracking with that of my Apple Watch Ultra, I noticed discrepancies between the two devices. The ring seemed to overcount general activities while undercounting floor climbs. For example, it continued to show heart rate data even after I had removed the ring, which was a little strange. Given these inconsistencies, I found myself trusting the numbers from the Apple Watch more, especially when it came to counting steps and overall activity.
The Limitations of the Smart Ring
While the Samsung Galaxy Ring excels in wearability, its functionality falls short for certain use cases, especially for those who are into more intensive fitness activities. For example, activities like ultimate frisbee, golf, and weight training require a lot of hand movements and grip strength, making it impractical to wear a ring. In these situations, I found myself removing the ring to avoid discomfort and distractions. This also meant that the ring wasn’t able to track my most important workouts, which was a significant drawback.
Additionally, the auto workout detection feature, which is a convenient tool for tracking light workouts, didn’t work particularly well for me. If my heart rate didn’t spike during a lighter workout, the ring failed to recognize it as exercise. This made it less reliable for tracking all types of physical activity, which is one of the main purposes of a fitness tracker.
Sleep tracking, while generally accurate, also had some issues. For example, the ring sometimes misinterpreted the time I went to bed, assuming that I hadn’t fallen asleep until much later than I actually had. These small inaccuracies can add up over time and affect the overall effectiveness of the device.
The Ecosystem Lock-In and Missing Features
Another drawback of the Samsung Galaxy Ring is its heavy reliance on the Samsung ecosystem. Unlike other smart rings that work with any Android phone, the Galaxy Ring is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy phones. While this may not be a deal-breaker for users who already own a Samsung device, it does limit the ring’s appeal for those using other Android phones or iPhones.
One feature I found to be missing is a way to easily locate the ring if it’s lost. Unlike a smartwatch, which has a “Find My” feature that helps users locate their devices, the Galaxy Ring lacks this capability. Samsung’s app does provide a rough GPS location based on the last connection, but if the ring is hidden or misplaced, it can be difficult to find.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is a well-designed wearable that offers impressive battery life and all-day comfort. Its ability to track key health metrics, like heart rate and sleep, makes it a valuable tool for people looking to gain insights into their health. However, for those who engage in more intense physical activities or require more detailed workout tracking, the ring may not be the best option.
The Galaxy Ring is a great choice for those who want a simple, low-maintenance fitness tracker that’s comfortable to wear 24/7. Its minimalist design and long battery life make it a viable alternative to bulkier smartwatches. However, for anyone looking for a comprehensive fitness tracking solution, a smartwatch may be a better fit.
If you’re someone who enjoys a minimalistic approach to wearable tech and you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Ring might just be the perfect addition to your lifestyle. Just be aware of its limitations and consider how it fits with your specific needs before making the investment.
