I’m sticking to my stance on good rings: They’re not likely health units, however extra geared in direction of well being monitoring. Positive, health performs an enormous function in general well being, however there’s a distinction. And that is the place Samsung had an actual shot at bridging the hole—however they missed it. The Galaxy Ring? Strong construct high quality, little question. However what about its well being and health options? Let’s check out the info and see what it exhibits us.
Good
- Premium construct high quality
- No subscription required
- As much as 5-day battery life
- Handy charging case
Unhealthy
- Not likely designed with health monitoring in thoughts
- Some options are locked into Samsung’s ecosystem
- Dear
Samsung Galaxy Ring: All offers
In a nutshell
I am not going to sugarcoat it—that is solely the third good ring I’ve examined, and no, I didn’t get my arms on the Oura Ring, the present gold commonplace on this house. That mentioned, we’re speaking sensors and metrics right here, and after years of reviewing every thing from smartwatches to smartphones, I’ve bought a fairly good grasp on how this tech ought to work.
If there’s one firm that might shake up the wearable sport with a recent tackle type elements, it’s Samsung. I’ve been testing the Galaxy Ring for some time, and simply 4 days in the past, a One UI replace dropped on the Galaxy S24 Extremely—massively enhancing the general expertise. Positive, you’ll discover loads of opinions on-line calling the Ring inaccurate, however right here’s the kicker: the most recent replace mounted loads of these points.
Nevertheless, I went into this with excessive expectations. I examined the Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely alongside the Galaxy Ring, and truthfully, Samsung’s methodology for utilizing algorithms to mix knowledge remains to be a bit unclear. To offer it a good shake, I break up my time: half with the ring related to the smartwatch and the opposite half utilizing it standalone.
Value & Availability
Relating to {hardware}, the Galaxy Ring brings a smooth, minimalist design to the desk and is available in three coloration choices: Silver, Black, and Gold. It’s filled with options like superior sleep monitoring, steady coronary heart fee monitoring, pores and skin temperature measurement, and a spread of health features.
And, relying on the dimensions you go for, you’re taking a look at as much as 7 days of battery life, which isn’t unhealthy in any respect for a hoop. However right here’s the kicker—the Galaxy Ring is priced at $399 within the US, which undoubtedly places it in premium territory.
That mentioned, in contrast to the market chief Oura, there’s no subscription charge tied to the Galaxy Ring. However truthfully, that’s not an enormous promoting level nowadays—Amazfit, Ultrahuman, and RingConn are all subscription-free rings too, so Samsung’s simply maintaining with the competitors on that entrance.
So right here’s the large query: does the Galaxy Ring really earn its place among the many finest good rings of 2024? It’s time to put out all of Samsung’s playing cards and see the way it stacks up.
Compact & Snug
I wore the ring for just about every thing, solely taking it off when washing dishes or my arms. So, naturally, I anticipated to see some scratches—however after virtually a month of use, the Titanium cowl remains to be scratch-free. That’s spectacular. On prime of that, the Galaxy Ring is compact, light-weight, and tremendous snug to put on on the index finger, which is the place it’s designed to take a seat
.
Like every good ring in the marketplace, the Galaxy Ring comes with its personal design quirks, similar to a definite concave form. Samsung has even added a delicate notch on the backside to assist customers get the position excellent.
Professionals:
- Obtainable in 9 sizes with a sizing equipment possibility.
- Light-weight and compact.
- Designed for the index finger, making it unobtrusive when worn appropriately.
- IP68 certification and waterproof as much as 10 ATM.
Cons:
- Thicker than typical jewellery, which is perhaps uncomfortable for some.
Inside, the Galaxy Ring packs three key sensors: An accelerometer, a Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor to trace blood circulation and oxygen ranges, and a pores and skin temperature sensor. For one of the best accuracy, these want to take a seat proper underneath your index finger.
Samsung’s bought you lined on match too, providing the ring in 9 sizes (5 to 13), and you may even seize a sizing equipment beforehand—a sensible transfer for getting the right match and optimum expertise.
When the Galaxy Ring matches excellent, it’s so low-key you would possibly truly neglect you’re carrying it—till the info begins rolling in. However, in comparison with your on a regular basis jewellery, it is undoubtedly a bit chunkier. That additional thickness is the worth you pay for all of the superior tech packed inside.
Software program & Compatibility
The Galaxy Ring is appropriate with Samsung and different Android units, although there are some anticipated limitations. You’ll want the Galaxy Wearable app to handle the Ring, and all of your well being and health knowledge will sync by means of the Galaxy Well being app
.
Professionals:
- Clear and intuitive UI/UX.
- Discover My Ring function on board inside the Galaxy ecosystem.
- Samsung adheres to key knowledge privateness rules within the US and Europe.
Cons:
- A considerably infantilized UI.
- Requires a smartphone connection resulting from lack of show.
- Some options are restricted with non-Galaxy units.
- Unsure the way it will combine a number of well being units within the Put on app.
In my evaluation of the Galaxy Watch Extremely, I briefly touched on how the Samsung Well being app’s consumer interface feels a bit too infantile for my liking, and I need to convey it up once more. I imagine there’s a cultural factor at play right here—South Korean design usually incorporates cute animal icons and little hearts, which doesn’t fairly resonate with a Western viewers like myself.
I’m additionally not a fan of the judgmental face on the power rating factor. It feels deceptive as a result of there are occasions when our our bodies want restoration, and that shouldn’t be seen as a adverse.
That mentioned, the consumer expertise with Samsung Well being is kind of clear and intuitive, providing some data-driven evaluation—which I admire. It’s insightful and might spark significant conversations round matters like sleep high quality, resting coronary heart fee, and restoration. The graphics are well-designed, and there’s an excellent degree of granularity within the day by day knowledge we generate, making it each informative and fascinating.
Samsung has rolled out a helpful function referred to as Discover My Ring, designed to assist customers find the good ring inside the Galaxy ecosystem. However there’s a catch: Because the ring solely emits gentle—no sound—discovering it in, say, a pile of garments is usually a little bit of a battle. It’s helpful, however not precisely foolproof relating to on a regular basis muddle.
The Galaxy Ring additionally comes with two interactive options utilizing its common gestures operate. By double-pinching your index finger and thumb, you may both silence an alarm or snap an image. It is a delicate, seamless approach to management key features, holding the expertise intuitive and hands-free.
Relating to well being knowledge privateness, the Galaxy Ring follows the identical protocols because the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Well being app. It adheres to key rules just like the FTC Act and HIPAA within the U.S., in addition to GDPR in Europe. Whereas not topic to stringent FDA oversight resulting from its classification as a wellness gadget, Samsung nonetheless ensures compliance with these essential knowledge privateness requirements.
Lastly, integrating a number of well being units into the Samsung Well being app could be irritating. In response to Samsung, knowledge from each units is robotically synced within the app, however managing it’s troublesome as a result of the app doesn’t clearly present which gadget the info is coming from. At instances, I couldn’t inform if the info was from the Ring or the Watch Extremely. It’s just like the Holy Spirit—you don’t see it, however you need to belief it’s there.
Should you’re enthusiastic about pairing the Galaxy Ring with the Galaxy Watch Extremely or one other Galaxy smartwatch, the thought is fairly simple: some sensors on both gadget might be disabled to save lots of battery, supplying you with longer life on one or the opposite. That is an enormous plus for these eager to get probably the most out of each units.
One other perk? You’ll be able to collect sleep knowledge without having to put on a cumbersome smartwatch to mattress, whereas nonetheless having a devoted show for exercises. Ultimately, it is a slick—although expensive—synergy for monitoring your well being and health.
Wellness & Health Options
Because of their type issue, good rings are the perfect well being companion. No distracting show or notification alerts pulling your consideration away. Even with only a primary set of sensors, you don’t should maintain your telephone on you to make sure your knowledge is secure. Plus, it provides higher battery life than most smartwatches and smartphones, so that you received’t want to fret about charging it day by day
.
Relating to well being monitoring, the Galaxy Ring proves to be fairly dependable for coronary heart fee monitoring, and after the most recent replace, its sleep metrics are virtually on par with my reference gadget, the Apple Watch Sequence 9 (evaluation). That mentioned, whereas some health options and exercise modes carry out decently, the ring’s type issue is undeniably a limiting issue.
Professionals:
- Superior sleep monitoring, cycle monitoring, and auto exercise detection.
- Vitality Rating gives a day by day overview of psychological and bodily situation.
- Contains sensors for steady coronary heart fee monitoring and pores and skin temperature monitoring.
- Not likely designed with health monitoring in thoughts.
Cons:
- Knowledge reliability is closely depending on software program updates.
The Galaxy Ring integrates seamlessly with the Well being app, bringing acquainted options like superior sleep monitoring, cycle monitoring, and auto exercise detection for actions like strolling and working. Like the most recent Galaxy Watch Extremely and Watch 7, it additionally provides the Vitality Rating—a day by day snapshot of your psychological and bodily state.
The Vitality Rating pulls from metrics like sleep period, earlier day’s actions, common coronary heart fee, and coronary heart fee variability. Whereas I’ve all the time valued my Whoop’s Each day Overview, Samsung nonetheless has room to enhance how this knowledge is introduced within the Well being app.
The Vitality Rating is supposed to inform you how prepared you might be to deal with the day, and it’s surprisingly sensible. On days once I barely moved, it flagged my low exercise, and it did the identical once I had poor sleep or pushed previous my pressure goal. What actually stood out was seeing the way it tracked modifications associated to my menstrual cycle, although making these connections undoubtedly requires an excellent understanding of your physique.
In my opinions, I prefer to zero in on particular options to provide you a extra relatable, hands-on perspective. For the Galaxy Ring, I’ll be taking a more in-depth have a look at its sleep monitoring and working evaluation. However earlier than we get into that, there’s one thing I must name out: this gadget actually wanted a serious replace to show itself credible.
Only a few days in the past, I used to be prepared to put in writing off the Galaxy Ring. The sleep monitoring was all over, and the guts fee readings had been constantly larger than what I used to be getting from my trusted units. A fast search confirmed I wasn’t alone on this frustration. However then, on Tuesday, September 10, Samsung dropped an replace for the Galaxy S24 Extremely, which additionally optimized the well being app.
And right here’s the factor: Since that telephone (and the Wearable app) replace, my coronary heart fee readings have been in sync with my chest strap, and the sleep knowledge has gotten so much nearer to what I see on my Apple Watch Sequence 9—which is understood for being fairly spot-on with sleep phases.
So, whereas this replace was a welcome repair, it’s price noting that the accuracy of Samsung Well being remains to be extremely depending on common software program updates. That’s one thing you’ll need to bear in mind.
Sleep Metrics
Let’s be actual—sleep evaluation is among the hardest issues for a sensible gadget to nail, particularly when it’s not a devoted medical software. However a number of the algorithms powering the well being app are getting fairly good at combining coronary heart fee and movement sensor knowledge to higher map out your sleep phases.
Gadgets working the most recent One UI 6.1, just like the Galaxy S24 Extremely, have truly delivered pretty dependable sleep stage monitoring in my expertise. Plus, Samsung throws in an AI-powered sleep coach that wants about three weeks of knowledge to generate insights into your sleep habits. It is cool to see what it has to say, however do not anticipate it to revolutionize your sleep routine. Nonetheless, it’s a pleasant little academic software.
Your sleep metrics additionally feed into an general power rating, so accuracy is vital right here. If the info’s off, you’ll must rely by yourself physique consciousness to appropriate it. That mentioned, the Galaxy Ring has been stable for me, giving readings that align with different units and my very own sense of how rested I really feel. If yours isn’t hitting the mark, double-check that each the Ring and companion gadget have the most recent software program updates.
Operating Stats
For this instance, I used a working session after updating One UI, together with the Well being and Put on apps. Whereas it’s tough to run with the Galaxy Ring—since sweat makes the ring slip round—you may nonetheless handle. It tends to slip off your index finger, and with no strap to regulate it, there’s not a lot you are able to do besides guarantee it’s positioned appropriately, with the notch on the base of your finger.
The Ring can robotically acknowledge your exercise and monitor metrics like period, distance, tempo, coronary heart fee, cadence, and steps. Nevertheless, because it lacks built-in GPS, you’ll want to hold your smartphone to trace maps and routes. Samsung tracks coronary heart fee throughout 5 zones, and that’s just about all you’ll get.
In my view, the Galaxy Ring isn’t actually designed for health monitoring; it is extra fitted to step counting and general wellness monitoring. It’s an fascinating addition, however not preferrred for health fans. That mentioned, it delivered outcomes near my Wahoo chest strap. Should you’re utilizing the Samsung Well being app, you may also pair a chest strap as an adjunct for much more correct coronary heart fee knowledge—however the Ring’s PPG sensor already does an honest job by itself.
Battery Life & Charging
Samsung claims the Galaxy Ring can last as long as 7 days on a single cost, however battery life is dependent upon the dimensions of the ring—the larger the ring, the extra battery it holds. Since I’m utilizing a dimension 8, one of many smaller variations, I averaged about 5 days, which is respectable, however not fairly on par with the 8 days I bought from the
RingConn Gen 2 throughout my testing
.
Professionals:
- As much as 7 days of battery life—relying on the ring dimension.
- Journey Case Charger permits charging wherever, just like earbuds.
- Journey case options an LED ring to show the remaining power degree.
Cons:
The Galaxy Ring takes about 65 minutes to totally cost, however what actually stands out is Samsung’s inclusion of a journey case charger. Identical to with earbuds, you may cost the ring on the go with out worrying about correct alignment. In simply half-hour of charging, you may get the battery as much as 50%, which is sufficient to final you virtually three days.
The case holds sufficient juice for as much as six full expenses, that means you received’t must recharge the case for over a month. If you do, it’s so simple as plugging in a USB-C cable.
Plus, there’s a button on the case that lights up an LED ring, exhibiting the remaining energy. The clear design is smooth and practical—undoubtedly a pleasant contact.
Technical Specs
Galaxy Ring | |
---|---|
Product | Galaxy Ring |
Picture | |
Dimensions and Weight | 7.0 × 2.6 mm, 2,3 g (Measurement 5) till 3,0 g (Measurement 13) Charging case: 48.9 × 48.9 × 24.5 mm, 61,3 g |
Colours | Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, Titanium Gold |
Sizes | 9 (Sizes: US 5, US 6, US 7, US 8, US 9, US 10, US 11, US 12, US 13) |
Sensors | Acceleration sensor Optical coronary heart fee sensor Infrared temperature sensor |
Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4 |
Certifications | 10 ATM4, IP68 / Titan-End |
Battery | 18 mAh (US 5, US 6, US 7) 19,5 mAh (US 8, US 9, US 10, US 11) 23,5 mAh (US 12, US 13) Charging case: 361 mAh |
Software program variations | Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely: One UI 6.1 Samsung Well being app: 6.27.2.009 Wearable app: Q50XWWU2AXFI |
Closing verdict
After spending a while with the Galaxy Ring, I’ve determined to base my score totally on its integration with the Well being app and the info I’ve gathered over the previous few days. The takeaway? The Galaxy Ring is a stable well being tracker, however solely when the software program is in control.
Bear in mind when the Galaxy Watch Extremely launched with battery life points, and Samsung needed to repair it with a software program replace? Nicely, my belief within the Galaxy Ring’s knowledge felt comparable—it bought higher with an replace down the street.
As I discussed initially, loads of opinions name out the Galaxy Ring for its accuracy and reliability—and truthfully, they’re not improper. However there’s a key factor to notice: verify when these opinions had been revealed. Samsung wanted extra time to iron out the software program kinks on this new wearable, and that’s an enormous consider its efficiency.
Now, let’s discuss value: the Galaxy Ring isn’t low-cost, particularly in case you’re pairing it with a smartwatch. However its energy lies in how snug and unobtrusive it’s. Should you’re after one thing that gives primary well being metrics and basically disappears in your hand, the Galaxy Ring is a superb choose. And in case you’re already deep within the Galaxy ecosystem, even higher. Over time, because it gathers extra knowledge, I feel anybody even remotely health-conscious will discover loads of worth in what it provides.
That mentioned, this gadget isn’t for health fans—and let’s be actual, it’s going to take some time earlier than it’s. That’s not a flaw within the Galaxy Ring itself, however extra a limitation of the shape issue.
So, now the query is: Would you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Ring? Drop your ideas and questions within the feedback under!
Samsung Galaxy Ring
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