Samsung’s Galaxy S24 telephones weren’t the one units revealed Wednesday on the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked occasion. The tech big additionally teased the discharge of a brand new sensible ring, the Galaxy Ring, which can observe a wearer’s well being in a lot the identical method the Oura ring does.
Samsung did not say a lot in regards to the Galaxy Ring, although the affirmation that it is coming could also be sufficient for now. Samsung representatives mentioned the ring solely briefly, close to the top of the hour-plus-long occasion the place the corporate introduced not solely the S24 telephone lineup but additionally Galaxy AI. Samsung did not go into element, nevertheless it appears doubtless the Ring can be a competitor for the Oura and Evie sensible rings.
Likelihood is the ring will comply with within the footsteps of different sensible rings and observe a wearer’s coronary heart fee; sleep statistics; temperature; and train and health. Samsung might want to differentiate its wearable from the present rings, in hopes of engaging each Samsung and non-Samsung customers to check out the product.
What do we all know for certain?
Not numerous specifics, past the identify: Galaxy Ring. The corporate did not launch pricing data or an on-sale or preorder date.
The corporate touted Samsung’s well being improvements for the S24 telephone collection, after which dangled the ring information on the market, noting that the corporate will carry “Samsung Well being cutting-edge improvements to a brand-new kind issue.” The presentation additionally known as the Galaxy Ring “a robust and accessible well being and wellness gadget right here to alter the form of future well being.”
A consultant for Samsung stated the corporate would share pricing and launch date data “because it turns into accessible,” saying solely that the Galaxy Ring was coming “quickly.” The spokesperson additionally stated the ring will function “main sensor applied sciences and cozy 24/7 put on.”
Was the Galaxy Ring information sudden?
Form of, but additionally probably not. Since 2022, tech websites have been buzzing about leaks that Samsung was creating a sensible ring. It wasn’t clear, although, that the ring can be mentioned at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, which targeted on the S24 collection of telephones.
What do different aggressive sensible rings supply?
Oura
In all probability the best-known sensible ring is the Oura, from a Finnish firm. The primary Oura ring was a Kickstarter mission and got here out in 2017. In 2022, the corporate introduced it had bought 1 million rings. The third-generation Oura ring (reviewed right here by CNET) got here out in 2021.
It appears like an everyday ring worn on the wearer’s finger, and it collects well being information corresponding to coronary heart fee, exercise specifics, physique temperature, respiratory fee and sleep information, sending that data wirelessly through Bluetooth to a smartphone app. The third-generation ring added such options as 24/7 heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring and menstrual cycle prediction.
Patrons can select from a number of designs and 4 totally different finishes, ranging in worth from $300 to $550. As soon as you’ve got purchased the ring, there is a month-to-month membership charge, and the Gen3 ring could have solely restricted performance until you pony up for a membership. (Some customers have a lifetime membership, however that is not an choice now.) Month-to-month membership prices $6 within the US, £6 within the UK, and AU$10 in Australia.
Evie
The Evie ring is new, with merchandise transport this month. It stands out from the Oura — and, presumably, from the Galaxy Ring — as a result of it is created particularly for ladies. It additionally displays well being information and sends it to an app. The ring is available in one type and three totally different finishes — silver, gold and rose gold. It is presently suitable solely with Apple’s iOS, and it prices $270, with no month-to-month subscription.
The Evie web site says the corporate decided some ladies shrink back from wearables attributable to shortcomings, together with price, lack of accuracy and the units being “uncomfortable or unappealing to put on.”
“From its open design to personalised insights that join the dots between all facets of your well being, each a part of the expertise is curated for ladies at all ages and stage of life,” the corporate says on its web site. The Evie ring tracks sleep metrics, steps, energy, exercise and menstrual cycle data. The positioning says it additionally calculates optimum fertility home windows.
Different methods to trace health
Rings definitely aren’t the one wearable solution to observe one’s health and well being. Fitbit health bands, Apple Watches, Samsung Galaxy Watches, Garmin trackers and even Nurvv Run sensible insoles to your trainers can be found. CNET affords a roundup of our favourite health trackers, every of which require a cellular app to trace your progress.
For extra from Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, try CNET’s full protection of the occasion.