Samsung's Galaxy Ring might be perfect for those who don't like smartwatches. Here's why.
Galaxy Ring's moment to shine
I don't like smart watches and never considered trying a smart ring until January 17, 2024, when an unexpected announcement from Samsung had a surprising effect on me. I was sitting at the SAP Center in San Jose for the Galaxy Unpacked event, where the company unveiled the Galaxy S24 series. The keynote went as expected until the end, when Samsung teased the Galaxy Ring. In a very unusual moment for me, I thought, “I want this and I don’t know why.”
The Galaxy Ring is equipped with sensors and records health data, including your heart rate, movement and sleep. It has no screen and seems quite discreet. After a bit of soul searching, I realized this might be the smart device I've been looking for.
My problem with smart watches
I can see the appeal of tracking my steps or capturing a workout. But I don't like the idea of wearing the same bracelet or smartwatch every day to get these benefits. I like the idea of a discreet tracker that doesn't make me feel like I'm constantly connected to my phone.
Smartwatches like the Apple Watch are essentially miniature versions of our phones and require more of my attention than my Seiko automatic watch. And while I still find Dick Tracy's watch to be an incredibly cool movie and comic book gadget, he didn't have to deal with Slack notifications, app updates, finding time to charge it or seeing her get out of sync with her phone.
I'm not the only person looking to simplify the presence of electronics in my life. Feature phones, older “simpler” smartphones, and compact digital cameras from a decade ago are experiencing a resurgence as people seek to downplay the important role phones play in their lives. And while the Galaxy Ring isn't a retro product, it could offer similar appeal.
What Samsung must achieve
One reason I'm intrigued by the Galaxy Ring is that it's from Samsung, a company with a long history of making personal electronics like smartphones and smartwatches. I don't want to throw shade on a company like Oura, but I feel more comfortable spending money on a new product from an established company than on a company I know mainly because of Kim Kardashian.
And while years of testing Samsung phones have instilled in me some confidence in the company, that doesn't mean it can't make mistakes, especially considering Samsung doesn't have the best history with first generation products (who remembers the Galaxy Gear?). To help Samsung avoid these pitfalls, here are a few things the Galaxy Ring must do to appeal to smartwatch detractors like me.
Price and compatibility
The price of the Galaxy Ring must be extremely attractive. Between €200 and €250 is the ideal range, but the closer Samsung can get to €200 (or less), the better. I also hope Samsung doesn't add additional subscription fees. I want to buy this ring once, without having to pay every month like the Oura Ring, which has a monthly subscription of €6 in addition to costing between €300 and €400 for the ring itself.
Next, Samsung needs to make the Galaxy Ring compatible with Android and iOS phones. To quote the Mandalorian, “That’s the way it is. » Limiting the ring to just Samsung phones, or even just Android phones, will deter people from buying it. Samsung is more likely to make an iPhone user fall in love with the Galaxy Ring and want to buy a Galaxy phone (think Apple's halo strategy) than it is to convince an Apple loyalist to buy both a ring and a phone at the same time.
Battery life
The last thing Samsung needs to get right is battery life. I don't want to worry about charging another device every day – otherwise I'd be more inclined to get a smartwatch or fitness band. If the Galaxy Ring's battery life is close to a week on a single charge, like the Oura Ring, Samsung will have won me over.
Will all my expectations for the Galaxy Ring come true? Or will the Galaxy Ring be just another wearable that I avoid because it doesn't live up to its simplicity and value? We'll have to wait until Samsung launches to find out.
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