Newsletter
Samsung is gearing up to launch its first smart ring later this year. The Galaxy Ring might debut alongside the new foldables in July. The company reportedly plans to release it in eight different sizes. It wants to make early inroads into this new category of smart wearables, a market projected to grow exponentially over the next few years. Apple is also working on similar products.
Samsung’s Galaxy Ring may be available in eight sizes
After countless leaks and rumors, Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Ring during the Galaxy S24 launch last month. However, it didn’t reveal many details. The company showed its design and said the device was on the way. A Samsung executive subsequently confirmed that the first-gen smart ring would go official in the second half of 2024 but shed no light on its specs, release date, and pricing.
In the meantime, a tech analyst revealed that the Galaxy Ring will come in three colors and many sizes (up to size 13). It will also be extremely lightweight, though the weight might vary depending on the size. Korean news outlet ET News now reports that Samsung will release the smart ring in eight sizes. If both reports are accurate, we might be looking at sizes from 6 to 13.
The publication further states that the Galaxy Ring has entered the prototype production stage. Samsung will begin full-scale mass production of the device in the second quarter. The company plans to launch it “at an Unpacked event in the second half of July.” That is when the Korean firm is expected to host the second Unpacked of the year for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Samsung is projecting the Galaxy Ring as a comprehensive fitness tracker and health monitoring solution for people who don’t like wearing a smartwatch all the time, like during bedtime. “We decided to launch the ring because we believe it is essential to complete digital health in a form factor that can be conveniently worn for a long time,” its chief of mobile business TM Roh said last month.
Apple is also working on a smart ring
Smart rings have been around for a few years now. Oura debuted its first-gen model in 2016. However, the market has yet to pick up traction, likely because no big player has entered the scene. The arrival of Samsung’s Galaxy Ring later this year might give the smart ring industry a much-needed push. Along with health features, these devices can serve as remote controllers for other connected devices and offer contactless payment services via NFC.
Samsung may not be the only major tech firm interested in smart rings, though. Its arch-rival Apple also has a similar product in the pipeline. The iPhone maker has filed numerous patents related to smart ring technologies in recent years. Industry experts believe the company will launch its first-gen model in a few years. Google is also showing interest in smart rings. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 25.4% between 2022 and 2032.