Samsung has recently unveiled a new and exciting gadget called the Samsung Galaxy Ring. While not much information is available yet, I had the opportunity to see and try on the device, as well as ask some questions about it. Here's what I learned.
First of all, it's important to note that the design of the rings I tried on is not finalized. Dr Hon Pak, the head of Samsung Electronics' digital health team, cautioned that the rings could undergo significant changes in terms of appearance, colors, and materials. Consider what I saw as prototypes.
The rings I had the chance to examine came in various colors and finishes, ranging from vibrant gold to subtle dark shades. Samsung mentioned that the ring is made of titanium, which explains its lightweight nature. In fact, it felt comparable to the weight of my everyday Oura Ring, which is about 0.14 ounces or 4g. This low weight is crucial for a smart ring as it allows for comfortable nighttime wear, providing an alternative for those who find smartwatches too heavy.
Samsung's goal is to create a wearable that people will actually wear. Dr Pak emphasized the importance of user adoption, stating, 'If people don't wear it, it won't matter.' To achieve this, the design of the Galaxy Ring is understated yet distinctive. At present, it features a gently concave channel encircling the outer surface. This design element not only feels good but also serves a practical purpose. For example, the dimple on my Oura Ring helps me keep it in the optimal position on my finger for the sensors to function effectively. However, the Galaxy Ring prototype lacks a similar anchor.
While specific details about the metrics the Ring will measure remain undisclosed, sleep tracking and possibly blood oxygen monitoring are expected. Samsung has received approval from the Korean FDA for its sleep apnea monitoring techniques, suggesting that this may be a focus for the Galaxy Ring as well. Dr Pak claimed that the Ring's accuracy would be comparable to that of the Galaxy Watch, but he did not specify which metrics would be carried over.
It is evident that Samsung is committed to detailed health tracking. Dr Pak explained that wearables are transitioning from being on-demand to passive, functioning in the background to gather data. This shift allows for the discovery of patterns and insights that were previously unknown. Dr Pak stated, 'What's happening is the wearable is giving us context in ways that we've never known.'
Samsung has officially announced that the Galaxy Ring will be released sometime this year. While no specific timeframe has been provided, Dr Pak hinted that the device is more likely to arrive in the second half of 2024. Details regarding pricing are still unavailable.
In summary, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is an intriguing forthcoming wearable from Samsung. Although the design is subject to change, the current prototypes offer a lightweight and unobtrusive option for health tracking. With its focus on sleep monitoring and potential for other metrics, the Galaxy Ring aims to provide valuable insights into our well-being. Keep an eye out for Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked events, as they may shed more light on the official release date of this highly anticipated device.
