Samsung Galaxy Ring Review: A Promising Start, But Not Quite There Yet
Samsung's first foray into the smart ring market, the Galaxy Ring, has finally arrived. While smart rings are no longer a novel concept, Samsung's entry is significant, marking the largest tech company to join the fray. This could make the Galaxy Ring a gateway for many into the world of wearable tech. But is it worth the hype? We've been putting the Galaxy Ring through its paces to find out.
Design: A Winner
Smart rings present a design challenge: they need to be sleek, stylish, and comfortable. Remarkably, Samsung has nailed this aspect. The Galaxy Ring, crafted from titanium, is available in three finishes: black, silver, and gold. The black variant, with its matte finish, exudes a stealthy charm.
Beyond aesthetics, the Galaxy Ring is incredibly comfortable. Its slim profile (measuring just 2.6mm thick and weighing only 3 grams) makes it feel significantly lighter and thinner than competitors like the Oura Ring. The concave design, with slightly raised edges, further enhances comfort and contributes to the ring's stylish aesthetic.
Sleep and Activity Tracking: A Mixed Bag
While Samsung excels in hardware, the Galaxy Ring's sleep and activity tracking performance is less impressive. Sleep tracking is comprehensive, providing detailed insights into sleep stages, blood oxygen (SpO2), skin temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate. The app also generates a sleep score based on various factors, offering helpful sleep coaching tips.
Sleep tracking accuracy has been generally good, with the Galaxy Ring consistently outperforming the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in recording accurate sleep and wake times. However, the blood oxygen readings have been a disappointment, often reporting concerningly low levels that were contradicted by the Apple Watch.
Activity tracking is straightforward, offering customizable goals for motion, time, and calories. While automatic detection works well for walking and running, the accuracy of workout tracking data is disappointing. The Galaxy Ring consistently underestimates distance and heart rate compared to the Apple Watch.
Special Features: Integration is Key
The Galaxy Ring offers some unique features when integrated with the broader Samsung ecosystem. When paired with a Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Galaxy Ring can optimise battery life by automatically disabling sensors when the watch is providing more accurate data. This seamless integration can extend the Ring's battery life by up to 30%.
The "Double Pinch" gesture, activated by pinching your thumb and ring finger together, allows for control over certain phone functions, such as dismissing alarms and taking pictures. This feature is intuitive and works well.
Battery Life and Charging: A High Point
Battery life is a strong point for the Galaxy Ring. While not reaching the advertised seven days for larger sizes, the Galaxy Ring consistently lasted for over four days with heavy use, including sleep tracking and workout recording. The portable charging case is a welcome improvement over charging stands, offering convenient and efficient charging on the go.
Price and Subscription: A Competitive Landscape
The Galaxy Ring is priced at £319, which is more expensive than many competing smart rings. However, it stands out by offering a subscription-free experience, unlike the Oura Ring which requires a monthly subscription. While the upfront cost is higher, the lack of recurring fees can be a significant advantage for cost-conscious users.
Verdict: A Promising Start, But Needs Refinement
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is an important step for Samsung in the wearables market. The hardware is impressive, boasting exceptional comfort and design, as well as commendable battery life and a convenient charging case. However, the inconsistent accuracy of the activity tracking and the unreliable blood oxygen readings leave room for improvement.
While the lack of subscription fees is a compelling factor, the Galaxy Ring's overall feature set feels underwhelming compared to the Oura Ring, which offers a more comprehensive health tracking experience.
The Galaxy Ring could appeal to users who already have a Samsung Galaxy Watch and want a complementary device. However, for most users, the Oura Ring remains a superior option, particularly for those seeking robust health and fitness insights. The RingConn Smart Ring also presents a compelling alternative with its competitive price and cross-platform compatibility.
While the Samsung Galaxy Ring has a promising future, it currently lacks the refinement to be a top contender in the smart ring market.
