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Samsung Galaxy Ring hands-on: Why I’d ditch my Oura for this competing wearable

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

I tested five smart rings over the past seven months and realized that the form factor lacked various features that could make my daily life easier. I recently wrote about how adding these features to the Galaxy Ring could make it an instant buy for me, and it looks like Samsung listened.

Also: What you missed at Samsung Unpacked July 2024: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Watch Ultra, Ring, AI and more

I haven’t tested Samsung’s smart ring sensors yet, but Galaxy Ring adds two features I’ve missed in other rings while offering a lighter form factor. Here is the list of the best new things.

1. Find My support is very convenient

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Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

There have been several occasions when I’ve lost my smart ring, and each time it took me at least 10 minutes to find it—either in the bathroom, on the lunch table, or in the trash (because I cleaned one out with my pizza boxes). I’ve wanted a form of Find My on all the smart rings I’ve worn, and Samsung has added just such a service.

Galaxy Ring features Find My Ring in Samsung Find, which means you can connect your Samsung Smart Ring to your Galaxy smartphone and find it on your phone if you lose it.

Also: Samsung reveals Galaxy Ring: Key features, price and everything you need to know

While Track My Ring is not supported, you will be able to track the Galaxy Ring based on the last connected location with your Galaxy phone. This means that if your phone’s Bluetooth is turned off and you lose your ring, you won’t be able to track it live. The Galaxy Ring can flash green and red lights, but has no vibration motor or audible sound.

Also, Samsung Find is only available on Galaxy smartphones. Although the Galaxy Ring works with all Android smartphones through the Samsung SmartThings app, it won’t support location tracking on all phones. I’d prefer it to work with any Android smartphone, but I expect the availability of the Samsung Find feature on the Galaxy Ring will prompt other manufacturers to add Google Find My support to their next-gen smart rings as well.

2. The entire packaging is impressive

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Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is thinner and lighter than the competition. For context, it weighs 2.3 grams for the smallest size, which is less than the Oura Ring (4 grams), the RingConn Smart Ring (3 grams), and the Ultrahuman Ring Air (2.4 grams). Also, Amazfit specifies 3.75 grams for its size 10 Helio Ring, which is heavier than 2.8 grams for the same size Galaxy Ring.

I had a brief hands-on experience with the Galaxy Ring and liked the fit and comfort of the device. It was better than the Amazfit Helio ring I’m currently wearing.

Also: Best Smart Rings of 2024: Expertly Tested and Reviewed

Like RingConn, Samsung also offers a charging case instead of a puck. I’ve argued before that the case is more useful than the puck because it’s not as easy to lose. Plus, I can charge my smart ring while I’m on the go, meaning I don’t have to look for an outlet to plug the Galaxy Ring into.

The Galaxy Ring case looks well put together and has a battery indicator next to the charging puck rails inside. When you place the Galaxy Ring on it, the light shows how much battery life is left. It’s a nice touch that’s missing from the RingConn Smart Ring, whose charging solution is second only to Samsung’s ring. Other smart rings – including from Oura, Amazfit and Ultrahuman – have a puck that’s arguably worse than a charging case.

Samsung has done an excellent job with the design of the Galaxy Ring and its case. Broadcast premium.

3. Owning a Galaxy Ring is a one-time payment (for now)

Samsung Galaxy Ring (left) vs. Oura Ring (right)

Samsung Galaxy Ring (left) and Oura Ring (right)

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

The Samsung Galaxy Ring costs $400, $100 more than the Oura Ring, which also has a $6/month subscription fee. If you do not pay the subscription fee, your data will be reduced to a review of the app’s sleep, alertness and activity assessment features. Unlike the Oura Ring, the Galaxy Ring has no such subscription fee and all its data can be viewed in the Galaxy Health app.

Also: How to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6, Watch Ultra, Ring and find the best deals

However, Samsung’s new ring looks expensive compared to subscription-free competitors like Ultrahuman ($349), RingConn ($279) and Amazfit ($300).

The Galaxy Ring is expensive, but I’d pay the price to get a possibly better app experience. So far, smart ringer apps have been an overwhelming part of my ring testing experience. I have high hopes for the Galaxy Health app that pushes out timely notifications.

4. What else should you know about Galaxy Ring?

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Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

The Samsung Galaxy Ring will be sold in three color options: Titanium Black (matte), Titanium Silver (matte) and Gold (glossy). It comes in nine sizes ranging from 5 to 13, with battery life expected to last up to seven days. The device is made of Titanium Grade 5 material, so it should be tough enough to last a while.

The Galaxy Ring features an accelerometer, a PPG sensor, and a skin temperature sensor. It can help you track your heart rate, sleep, and more. Sleep tracking includes data such as time in bed, sleep latency, nocturnal movement, heart rate and respiratory rate.

The Galaxy Health app also offers an AI-powered energy rating and recommendations based on your fitness and well-being across four factors – sleep, activity, sleep heart rate and sleep heart rate variability (HRV).

Also: Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. Oura Ring: Which wearable should you buy?

The Galaxy Ring can track your menstrual cycle by measuring your skin temperature at night. It also features automatic workout detection for walking and running. Samsung says that if you wear the Galaxy Ring with your Galaxy Watch, the Ring’s battery will last 30% longer.

The Galaxy Ring also supports a new feature called Gestures; you can take photos or dismiss your alarm on compatible Samsung smartphones with a double pinch.

The Galaxy Ring it will not work with iPhone. It will go on sale from July 24 along with Galaxy Watch 7 series.

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