When people think of wearables, smartwatches are often the first thing that comes to mind. However, 2024 was a relatively quiet year for smartwatches, with iterative updates being the norm. This is not surprising, as it’s common for mature categories to settle into a routine of refinements rather than revolutionary changes. But with the emergence of smart rings, there’s a sense of excitement and innovation in the air.
A Renaissance in Smart Rings
Smart rings are not new, but 2024 saw a surge of interest in this category, often referred to as a mini renaissance. This resurgence was evident at the CES show floor in January, where several smart rings caught my attention. However, it wasn’t until Samsung announced its long-rumored Galaxy Ring in February that the industry truly took notice.
Samsung’s Entry into Smart Rings
Samsung is a major player in the smartwatch space, and its decision to branch out into smart rings signals a significant shift. The Galaxy Ring is an impressive device that can work in tandem with Samsung’s Galaxy Watches to optimize battery life and sensor accuracy. When paired with a Z Fold 6 or a Z Flip 6, it can even recognize a pinching gesture to control the phone’s camera.
While some may view this as a way for Samsung to lock users into its ecosystem, there’s no denying that these innovative features are pushing the boundaries of what smart rings can do. It’s not just Samsung that’s driving innovation in this space; other companies like Movano and Casio are also exploring new ideas.
Innovative Ideas Abound
I had the opportunity to test several smart rings, including the Circular Slim and the Evie Ring from Movano. While I wasn’t impressed with the former, I was struck by its ambition in incorporating silent haptic alarms and an AI chatbot. The Evie Ring, on the other hand, caught my eye for its distinctive open-gap design and its pursuit of FDA clearance for its metrics.
Competition is Good
The renaissance in smart rings has been fueled in part by Oura’s dominance of this space over the past decade. However, it seems that competition is driving innovation and pushing Oura to launch new features at a steady clip. The company has even explored integrations with continuous glucose monitors and recently released its fourth-gen ring.
Challenges Ahead
While smart rings are exciting, they come with their own set of challenges. They’re expensive, and when compared to similarly priced smartwatches, they don’t do quite as much. Additionally, making a smart ring requires precision engineering due to the small size of the components, which can be difficult to manufacture.
Fit is a Key Concern
Another challenge facing smart ring manufacturers is fit. Unlike watch straps, which adjust easily to different sized wrists, smart rings require 10-12 different sizes to encompass a wide range of finger sizes. This can make it difficult for companies to get the design right.
The Future of Smart Rings
As we move into 2025, it’s unclear whether this renaissance will continue or if smart rings will fade back into obscurity. We don’t yet know how Samsung’s Galaxy Ring is performing in terms of sales, but if it does well, especially as an accessory to other gadgets, you can bet that Google and Apple will take notice.
Conclusion
Smart rings are not going away anytime soon. With the interest they’ve generated, even among those who were previously skeptical, it’s clear that this category has legs. Whether the renaissance will continue or if we’ll see a decline in popularity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: smart rings have arrived as a force to be reckoned with.
Recommendations
If you’re considering getting into the world of smart rings, here are a few recommendations:
- Look for innovative features: With so many companies pushing the boundaries of what smart rings can do, look for devices that offer something new and exciting.
- Consider your needs: If you’re primarily interested in sleep tracking or recovery, Oura’s Ring 4 might be the way to go. However, if you want a device that can integrate with other gadgets, the Galaxy Ring is worth exploring.
- Be prepared for a higher price point: Smart rings are currently more expensive than smartwatches, but they offer features and functionality that may make them worth the extra cost.
As we move forward into 2025, it will be exciting to see how this category continues to evolve. One thing is certain: smart rings have arrived, and they’re here to stay.
