Technology

Samsung Galaxy Ring evaluate: Probably the most ineffective product within the Galaxy

2 September 2024

I’ve by no means been an individual who enjoys carrying a watch. Though I’ve used dozens of smartwatches over time, I seldom put on one all day lengthy. That is the place the concept of a sensible ring is available in for me. As somebody who already wears a marriage band daily and finds it snug, I had hoped a sensible ring would really feel like the perfect kind issue when in comparison with cumbersome health straps or cumbersome watches.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is the newest good ring to attempt to woo clients with its idea, which began in 2015 with the discharge of the first-generation Oura Ring. However when you have been hoping to switch your smartwatch with the Galaxy Ring, you are going to have to mood your expectations.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is designed for twenty-four/7 well being monitoring and little else. It’s going to robotically observe strolling, operating, and even sleeping, however whereas Samsung’s Well being software program provides you a lot of knowledge, I am undecided I belief most of it. It lacks AFib detection, one thing the Ultrahuman Ring Air not too long ago added, making it principally ineffective for twenty-four/7 coronary heart price monitoring. Even the “discover my ring” characteristic solely actually works on Samsung Galaxy telephones, a massively missed alternative for Samsung to one-up the competitors.

Samsung has a number of enhancements to make however, fortunately, all of them are software-related and might be addressed sooner or later by means of updates. Samsung would not cost a month-to-month subscription like Oura, however with none type of significant coronary heart monitoring knowledge and no actual help for understanding with the ring, I am undecided what the purpose of carrying one is.

About this evaluate

I have been utilizing the Galaxy Ring for 5 weeks as of the publishing of the ultimate evaluate on August 30, 2024. My gold measurement 10 Galaxy Ring has been paired with a Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely operating One UI 6.1, in addition to quite a lot of non-Samsung units just like the OnePlus 12 and CMF Telephone 1.

Value and availability

The gold Samsung Galaxy Ring with its box and charging case

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is out there for $399 and is available in three traditional ring colours: silver, gold, and black. Preliminary orders have been again ordered attributable to recognition however Samsung ramped up manufacturing considerably to satisfy demand. The Galaxy Ring at the moment takes a number of weeks to ship out as soon as ordered.

To buy a Galaxy Ring, you will first have to spend $10 on a sizing equipment. That comes with a $10 credit score in the direction of the acquisition of a Galaxy Ring, so the sizing equipment is successfully free as soon as you purchase a Ring. You can too discover a sizing equipment accessible at some Finest Purchase places without cost, so you might wish to name round first earlier than ordering a equipment. Samsung makes Galaxy Rings in normal ring sizes 5–13.

In contrast to its largest competitor, the Oura Ring Gen 3, the Galaxy Ring would not require a month-to-month subscription to entry your knowledge. All that’s dealt with by means of the Samsung Well being app, which works with any Android telephone. Samsung Galaxy telephones with Galaxy AI built-in, just like the Galaxy S24 Extremely, will get further insights for his or her knowledge powered by Galaxy AI when paired with the Galaxy Ring. Moreover, you will solely get full ring monitoring performance and ring gestures when paired with a Samsung telephone.

{Hardware} and design

Holding the gold Samsung Galaxy Ring

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

If I might get true characteristic parity, I would swap out a smartwatch for a sensible ring practically any day of the week. Aside from some sorts of exercises, a sensible ring is a considerably extra snug gadget to put on 24/7 than a smartwatch.

Samsung’s {hardware} design is essentially wonderful, stuffing a battery and tons of tech right into a svelte ~2.6mm thick ring. That is notably thicker than some normal rings — like my gold marriage ceremony band — nevertheless it’s not so thick as to really feel extra noticeable on my finger than a typical ring.

On launch, Samsung was the thinnest good ring till the RingConn Gen 2 got here out simply two weeks later. In contrast to that ring, although, the Galaxy Ring is an ideal circle, whereas RingConn opted for a extra distinctive squircle design.

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Comparing the gold Samsung Galaxy Ring with a gold wedding band — (Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

After 5 weeks of use, the ring appears to be like prefer it’s seen 20 years of wear and tear and tear.

The Galaxy Ring contains a concave design that helps make the ring look thinner than it really is, and the titanium development is impressively gentle however I am not totally satisfied of its sturdiness. The concave design helps hold the middle from getting scratched nevertheless it would not achieve this a lot for the sides.

After 5 weeks of use, the ring appears to be like prefer it’s seen 20 years of wear and tear and tear. My 16-year-old gold marriage ceremony band appears to be like in much better form, for reference.

I ran a Spartan Race with the ring in early August as a result of I wished to see the way it held up throughout an occasion that principally consisted of operating and strolling with obstacles thrown in each few hundred meters. The consequence was lower than wonderful on all counts—which I am going to element additional within the well being monitoring part beneath.

The largest challenge right here is not the questionable sturdiness. It is the truth that good rings aren’t repairable.

Damage on the Samsung Galaxy Ring after weeks of use and running a Spartan Race

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

On the underside, you will discover an orientation indicator letting you know the way to put on the ring. This line ought to all the time line up with the center of the underside of your finger because it ensures the Ring’s sensors are in probably the most optimum place. I might repeatedly test to ensure this indicator was in the fitting place and located it normally wanted a number of rotational fixes all through the day.

The Ring match properly on the center finger of my proper hand the place I discovered that exact finger form to be higher for carrying a hoop than my index finger. It is extra snug, total, nevertheless it additionally would not get in the way in which like it could after I tried to put on it on my index finger.

Samsung recommends carrying it both on the index or center fingers if you wish to use the gesture characteristic, so that is proper in step with expectations. Gestures are one thing distinctive to the Galaxy Ring and a bonus Samsung has over opponents, however they solely work when paired with a supported Samsung Galaxy telephone.

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Class	Galaxy Ring
Dimensions	7.0mm (width) x 2.6mm (depth)
Weight	2.3-3g
Supplies	Titanium grade body
Water resistance	10ATM, IP68
Colours	Titanium Black, Titanium Gold, Titanium Silver
Sizes	5–13
Connectivity	Bluetooth LE 5.4
Sensors	Accelerometer, PPG, pores and skin temperature
Battery	18mAh-23.5mAh, 40% in half-hour
Charging cradle	361mAh

Except for being unique to newer Galaxy telephones, it is also price noting that there are solely two principal gestures proper now: take a photograph, and cease an alarm in your telephone. To carry out both of those actions, you will double-tap your ring-wearing finger and thumb collectively within the air as when you’re pinching one thing twice.

Whereas these are cool to make use of in very particular circumstances, they are not product-selling options by any means.

The Galaxy Ring’s two most original options are gesture help and the power to remotely discover a misplaced ring, however each solely work with sure Samsung Galaxy telephones.

Samsung additionally helps a “discover my ring” characteristic that works identically to different Samsung Galaxy units. Open the Galaxy Wearables app, then faucet discover on the principle menu. The app offers you a tough location of the place the Ring is—or the place it was final detected if it is not in your common neighborhood—together with a helpful GPS map utilizing Bluetooth for native location, however this performance solely works on Samsung Galaxy telephones.

The Galaxy Ring would not vibrate or make noise, which implies that it would not help notifications. That additionally implies that it is a bit of tough to seek out, particularly if it fell between the sofa cushions or rolled beneath one thing like a fridge or range.

The app permits you to quickly blink the lights on the Galaxy Ring’s sensors however that is solely helpful at evening or in a darkish room. The lights merely aren’t vibrant sufficient to be seen throughout the day or in any sort of vibrant lighting.

Using Find My Galaxy Ring on a Samsung device versus a non-Samsung device

(Picture credit score: Android Central)

Discover my Ring is usually ineffective until you’ve gotten a Samsung Galaxy telephone to pair the Ring with.

As I beforehand famous, this performance solely works on Samsung Galaxy telephones. The Samsung Discover app is unique to the Galaxy Retailer. Sideloading the APK would not work both because it requires hooks present in Samsung’s One UI to work.

Samsung might have made it work with Google’s newest Discover My Gadget improve — many different Samsung units do — nevertheless it awoke and selected violence. The perfect you can do with a non-Samsung telephone is blink the Ring’s lights which, as I identified, is usually ineffective.

Nonetheless, different good rings do not have a “discover my” characteristic in any respect, so any strategy to discover your misplaced Ring is a bonus for Samsung, even with its limitations.

Battery and charging

The gold Samsung Galaxy Ring showing battery percentage on the Samsung Wearables app

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

One of many principal causes to decide on a sensible ring over a smartwatch is battery life. Many of the finest smartwatches have to be charged every day, whereas some fitness-focused choices just like the Garmin Forerunner 965 can final 1-3 weeks relying on how typically you employ GPS monitoring.

My Galaxy Ring lasted 6-7 full days on any given cost. Within the preliminary evaluate, I famous that the Ring had 10% left on the finish of the sixth day, which is loads to nonetheless carry out sleep monitoring that evening.

The remaining battery proportion may be tracked each on the Galaxy Wearables app and with the Ring itself. Simply take off the ring and have a look at the indicator LEDs inside for a number of seconds. They’re going to flash inexperienced indicating the battery proportion left in 25% increments. 4 flashes imply between 75%-100% battery is left, three flashes for 50%-75%, and many others.

If you put on a Galaxy Ring and a Galaxy Watch on the similar time, the Ring’s well being sensors fall asleep to save lots of battery life. To me, this is unnecessary in any respect. It needs to be the opposite manner round.

Samsung highlights {that a} Galaxy Ring and a Galaxy Watch can be utilized in conjunction for probably the most correct well being monitoring and higher total battery life. Nevertheless it seems like Samsung received issues backwards with the battery portion of this equation.

If you put on a Galaxy Ring and a Galaxy Watch on the similar time, the Ring’s well being sensors fall asleep to save lots of battery life. To me, this is unnecessary in any respect. It needs to be the opposite manner round because you usually have to cost a smartwatch daily, whereas the Galaxy Ring has week-long battery life with regular use.

Samsung significantly must rethink how this works, as it could make much more sense to save lots of battery life on the watch by utilizing the Ring’s well being monitoring sensors, as a substitute.

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The gold Samsung Galaxy Ring with its box and charging case — (Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The Galaxy Ring has true week-long battery life, and the included charging case works like a wi-fi earbuds case for simple journey.

Just like the finest earbuds, you will cost your Galaxy Ring utilizing the included charging case. This case has its personal battery with sufficient capability for a number of full Ring prices. It additionally prices by way of USB-C, so it is handy to rapidly cost and tackle the go along with you when you want it.

The case itself is a bit tech stylish, with a clear, flashy design together with a hoop of LEDs that illuminate when opening the hinge. This ring is used to show the case’s remaining battery life, and tapping the button also can provoke pairing.

Like many Samsung units lately, although, charging the Galaxy Ring is abysmally gradual. A 30-minute cost resulted in a measly 50% Ring cost, whereas it took a full hour to top-up the tiny ~20mAh battery. Little doubt, Samsung makes the charging so painfully gradual in an effort to extend battery longevity however at the very least you solely have to cost it as soon as per week.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring and its charging case

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

I bumped into a number of conditions the place the case would not cost the Ring in any respect, solely to seek out out I had it the other way up on the dock, which appears an odd design for a hoop.

Not solely that, however I bumped into a number of conditions the place the ring would not cost in any respect, even after I thought I had correctly mounted it within the case. A part of the confusion comes within the case design. If you open it, the LED ring inside lights as much as provide you with a view of the battery proportion of the case itself. However I typically mistook this for the Ring’s battery proportion for the reason that LED stays illuminated after I dock the ring.

So as a substitute of charging the Ring, I would come again after an hour or two to seek out that nothing in any respect occurred. In all occasions of this occurring, flipping the ring over mounted the charging challenge. I am undecided why charging the ring appears to work on one facet however you will have to pay further shut consideration to the app to make sure your ring is definitely charging within the case, denoted by a standard charging lightning bolt icon within the Galaxy Wearables app.

Sleep monitoring

The gold Samsung Galaxy Ring with the Galaxy Wearables app showing the energy score

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

I hate carrying a watch to sleep. It is not one thing I do exterior of the occasional smartwatch evaluate, so the Galaxy Ring appeared like a perfect strategy to observe sleep. It is extremely snug to put on to mattress.

When you’ve worn a Galaxy Watch to sleep earlier than, anticipate the identical type of metrics from a Galaxy Ring. That, in and of itself, is a triumph. A smaller, extra snug gadget that may get the identical sorts of readings for sleep knowledge as a Galaxy Watch Extremely is actually a incredible proposition.

The issue is that Samsung’s sleep knowledge is not thought of the very best within the business by any means, and bands just like the Whoop 4.0 or smaller smartwatches just like the Pixel Watch 2 ship much more correct knowledge.

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Comparing sleep tracking data between the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Google Pixel Watch 2 — (Picture credit score: Android Central)

In fact, a lot of that is going to return all the way down to alignment and match. Smartwatches have to be worn pretty tightly with a purpose to get an correct studying. Transfer round an excessive amount of at evening with a unfastened wristband and also you would possibly as nicely simply delete the monitoring knowledge. Likewise, a Ring that spins or wobbles lots in your finger will not do you a lot good.

For that reason, I attempted to put on the Ring on a number of completely different finders nevertheless it did not appear to have an effect on total accuracy a lot. It additionally would not help sleep apnea monitoring just like the RingConn Gen 2, which implies any knowledge it delivers is essentially pedestrian in nature. In different phrases, whereas it is a good sleep-tracking gadget, I would not take its outcomes as Gospel.

Sleep monitoring was largely inaccurate in comparison with the very best smartwatches, and the Galaxy Ring would not help superior measurements like sleep apnea detection.

The Samsung Well being app is chock filled with nice little particulars and well-presented info, from the distinguished sleep rating to the person metrics and easy-to-read graph that break your sleep down into awake, gentle, REM, and deep sleep patterns.

Beneath the sleep rating is the breakdown of what metrics fueled the rating, together with sleep time, bodily restoration, restfulness, psychological restoration, and sleep cycles. I am a really gentle sleeper by nature, and the Ring picked that up handily.

However whereas I initially felt good in regards to the total sleep rating, diving into the information made me really feel much less assured in it. I typically observed blips within the graph the place no knowledge was collected in any respect. I assume a few of that is down to suit however, like I mentioned beforehand, I attempted carrying it on a number of completely different fingers—lots of which have been an excellent tighter match than my center finger—and nonetheless discovered these bizarre lapses in knowledge.

Looking at all the sleep data gathered from a Samsung Galaxy Ring in the Samsung Health app

(Picture credit score: Android Central)

Different knowledge factors like blood oxygen and pores and skin temperature whereas sleeping also needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Pores and skin temperature readings from a finger will likely be completely different from a wrist or perhaps a torso band due to their location — some folks like heavy, heat-trapping blankets, whereas others might put their fingers beneath a pillow, each of which might produce inaccurate readings.

Samsung offers a lot of sleep monitoring knowledge however I am undecided I belief its accuracy.

Every day power rating is calculated by combining all of the accessible metrics, however my quantity was by no means fairly correct as a result of the Ring by no means efficiently detected any of my exercises on the gymnasium, which you will examine beneath. If I have been going to plan my day round that power rating quantity—which is the whole function of such a rating—it is seemingly I would have a much less energetic day than I ought to.

The Vitality Rating metric is not unique to Samsung telephones, fortunately, however you will solely get the Galaxy AI-powered abstract on the high while you pair it with particular Samsung telephones.

One YouTuber confirmed how the Galaxy Ring traces up with different bands and watches, placing it in step with the remainder of the Galaxy Watch line and proper in the midst of most different sleep and fitness-tracking wearables. Briefly, it is not unhealthy, nevertheless it’s not nice, both.

Health monitoring

A gold Samsung Galaxy Ring on a red cross trainer Nike shoe

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

My largest disappointment with the Galaxy Ring revolves round health monitoring. I by no means anticipated this to switch a smartwatch due to the shortage of a display—I primarily put on a smartwatch whereas understanding to watch my coronary heart price—however Samsung’s software program is significantly missing some mandatory health monitoring necessities and it makes it practically ineffective at a gymnasium.

In case your exercises contain extra than simply strolling or operating, do not even trouble utilizing the Galaxy Ring.

Whereas occurring a neighborhood stroll or a hike, coronary heart price monitoring appeared to be correct in comparison with my Pixel Watch 2. I used to be pleasantly shocked at how easy and clear monitoring was. I additionally discovered that the Galaxy Ring was dead-on correct when utilizing it to trace steps, which is not one thing I can say in regards to the Pixel Watch 2.

First off, when you’re not a runner or do not plan to make use of the Ring to trace a stroll or a hike, do not trouble getting one. Computerized exercises are solely supported for strolling or operating, and even then, I discovered that computerized monitoring solely appeared to work after I walked or ran exterior. Even then, shorter 400m runs on the gymnasium—together with out of doors runs—have been not often robotically detected.

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Looking at fitness tracking stats collected from a Samsung Galaxy Ring during a Spartan Race — Taking a look at health monitoring stats collected from a Samsung Galaxy Ring throughout a Spartan Race(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Throughout a Spartan Race, the time, distance, and tracked coronary heart price have been all incorrect on the Galaxy Ring.

Let us take a look at the outcomes from my Spartan Race above. Since there is no strategy to manually observe with a Galaxy Ring, I solely have no matter it robotically tracked. Through the race, I wore the Samsung Galaxy Ring and Google Pixel Watch 2 on my proper hand, whereas the OnePlus Watch 2 was on my left hand.

The primary drawback with the Galaxy Ring is the exercise time tracked. My precise race time was one hour 22 minutes. Each watches tracked for an hour and a half as a result of I manually began them earlier than the race began whereas I used to be ready on the beginning line, however the Galaxy Ring’s computerized monitoring comes 13 minutes in need of my precise motion time.

The second drawback is the space logged. This Spartan Race was the 5k model which equates to three.1 miles. The Galaxy Ring thought I ran 4.15 miles.

Third is the standard of the information itself. Because the Ring did not correctly observe the whole race, the graph technically will get minimize off roughly 4/5ths of the way in which by means of, however we are able to at the very least examine the remainder of it. At first, there seems to be no correlation in any respect between the Galaxy Ring and the 2 watches, nonetheless, a more in-depth inspection exhibits come similarities.

However even with comparable peaks and lows, the numbers from the Galaxy Ring aren’t even near the 2 watches I wore.

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Comparing automatic workout tracking for walks between the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Google Pixel Watch 2 — (Picture credit score: Android Central)

A part of the issue is the polling price. Coronary heart price knowledge is just recorded each ten minutes — to save lots of battery — and this does not appear to be typically sufficient to detect a exercise efficiently. Samsung makes use of different sensors inside to assist with detection however they did not appear to do a lot good for me.

I am going to the gymnasium a mean of 4 occasions per week—every go to is an hour-long exercise at a CrossFit-style gymnasium—however all I noticed from the Ring was a blip or two on the guts price graph displaying an elevated quantity. That was throughout the very best of occasions. On the worst of occasions, the Ring did not seize any coronary heart price knowledge throughout my exercises in any respect.

There’s additionally no strategy to manually begin a exercise, which was unbelievable to me.

The Galaxy Ring is just not exercise monitoring gadget, nevertheless it certain counts steps extremely precisely.

Once I requested Samsung about this, I used to be advised that beginning a guide exercise from the Samsung Well being app ought to clear up my issues. Sadly, this did not work. Any guide exercise began from the Samsung Well being app by no means recorded any Ring knowledge. All I received was a generic calorie burn worth relative to the exercise I selected and the size of the exercise.

In different phrases, I would as nicely haven’t even bothered bringing the Galaxy Ring to the gymnasium.

Different good rings just like the Oura Ring Gen 3 do computerized exercise detection much better and can repeatedly detect a exercise, then can help you choose its sort after the exercise was accomplished. No good ring is a correct smartwatch alternative for gym-style exercises however Samsung might have finished lots higher with the Galaxy Ring’s exercise monitoring performance.

All in all, I am not inclined to suggest this Ring as a critical fitness-tracking instrument.

Competitors

The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring and the Oura Ring Gen 3 in hand

(Picture credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The Ultrahuman Ring Air is a greater total purchase than the Galaxy Ring. It is $50 lower than the Galaxy Ring and, not like Oura, has no subscription value. Our Wearables reviewer Michael Hicks discovered the sleep monitoring knowledge to be fairly correct — not like my expertise with the Galaxy Ring. It even has AFib detection, one thing that is vitally essential in a 24/7 wearable. The draw back is that energetic health monitoring is not any higher than the Galaxy Ring.

One other wonderful various is the RingConn Good Ring Gen 2, which weighs in at $299 and contains a distinctive squircle design. Battery life is 3-4 days longer than the Galaxy Ring, it affords sleep apnea detection, and RingConn affords covers for its rings which might forestall injury whereas utilizing it throughout exercises or different occasions you might be nervous about it getting scuffed up. It would not provide you with a “readiness rating” like another rings however I discovered these sorts of scores to be largely ineffective, anyway.

In fact, no good ring evaluate can be full with out mentioning the Oura Ring Gen 3, a hoop that seems like a greater total purchase for people who’re extra critical about health monitoring with a sensible ring. Oura’s software program does a greater job of robotically detecting exercises and offers you much more choices for categorization and monitoring than Samsung. The large draw back is that you will want a $6/month subscription to entry that knowledge.

Must you purchase it?

The gold Samsung Galaxy Ring in a puddle of water

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

You can purchase it if…

You need a nice-looking ring that does greater than look fairly.
You need a good ring with out the costly subscription.
Informal 24/7 well being monitoring is extra essential to you than centered health or sleep monitoring.

You should not purchase it if…

You need a critical fitness-tracking gadget.
Your exercises contain extra than simply strolling or operating.
You are attempting to switch a smartwatch with a sensible ring.

On the floor, the Samsung Galaxy Ring appears to be like like a incredible first-generation effort. It offers a lot of knowledge and options and not using a month-to-month subscription requirement. The {hardware} is smooth, and it is snug to put on all day, which is particularly essential for sleep monitoring and computerized train detection.

However the well being monitoring options really feel newbie by practically each measure. Computerized exercise monitoring is proscribed in scope to simply strolling or operating and, even then, solely works nicely when doing these actions for lengthy intervals and open air. Sleep monitoring is snug however not practically as correct as smartwatch. Some knowledge is even restricted to customers who pair the ring with a Galaxy telephone that has Galaxy AI built-in.

Whereas the {hardware} is stellar, the health monitoring expertise merely is not prepared for primetime. The quantity of knowledge you get is great, however the high quality of that knowledge is questionable. Know-how fanatics will seemingly be thrilled with the tech packed within the ring, however anybody critical about high quality health or sleep monitoring ought to look elsewhere.

Good rings are the perfect kind issue, however Samsung’s total execution leaves lots to be desired. At the same time as a 24/7 well being tracker, different rings do it higher as a result of the Galaxy Ring is lacking options like AFib or sleep apnea detection. If I had spent $400 of my very own cash on this ring, I might have returned it already.

Render of the titanium black Samsung Galaxy Ring

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