The Rise of Smart Rings: A New Era for Wearables?
When you mention "wearables," most people immediately think of smartwatches. However, 2024 was a relatively quiet year for smartwatches, with iterative updates taking center stage. This is not uncommon in a maturing category, where the focus shifts from innovative ideas to refined products. But, as we’ll explore, this period of calm has given way to a new wave of excitement in the wearable space – smart rings.
The Resurgence of Smart Rings
Smart rings are not a new concept; they’ve been around for a while. However, 2024 saw a resurgence in interest and innovation in this area. I had a hunch that something was brewing back in January when several smart rings made an appearance at the CES show floor. And then, in February, Samsung dropped a bombshell by announcing the long-rumored Galaxy Ring. This move from Samsung, a major player in the smartwatch space, is significant because it signals their willingness to branch out into new wearable categories.
The Galaxy Ring’s announcement was a game-changer for the industry. It not only propelled smart rings into the mainstream but also demonstrated that they’re not just niche devices. The newer crop of smart rings, which I had the chance to test, is particularly exciting due to its innovative features. For instance, the Galaxy Ring 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 recognize a pinching gesture to control the phone’s camera.
Some may view this as a way for Samsung to lock users into its ecosystem, but you have to admit that these are not use cases we’ve seen from smart rings before. It’s clear that manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with smart rings.
Innovations Galore
It’s not just Samsung that’s innovating in the smart ring space. The Circular Slim, for example, offers silent haptic alarms and an in-app AI chatbot – features that set it apart from its competitors. Movano’s Evie Ring has also caught my eye with its open-gap design and ambitious pursuit of FDA clearance for its metrics.
Even Casio is getting in on the action with its take on a more retro, low-tech smart ring. The company’s approach may not be as flashy as some of its competitors, but it’s refreshing to see new ideas emerging in this space.
A New Era of Competition
The resurgence of smart rings has brought a welcome breath of fresh air to an industry that had become stale. With Oura having dominated the market for the past decade with its focus on sleep tracking and recovery, it’s exciting to see new players entering the fray.
The competition is not only good for consumers but also for Oura itself. The company has been launching new features at a steady clip and exploring new integrations with continuous glucose monitors. Its latest release, the Oura Ring 4, is a testament to its commitment to innovation.
Challenges Ahead
While smart rings are an exciting development, they’re not without their challenges. They’re expensive, with prices comparable to those of similarly priced smartwatches. However, they don’t offer quite as much functionality – at least, not yet.
Making smart rings is also a complex task due to their small size and the need for even smaller components. And then there’s the issue of fit – manufacturers have to make 10-12 different sizes to accommodate a wide range of finger sizes, as well as account for seasonal swelling.
The Future of Smart Rings
As we look ahead to 2025, it’s unclear whether the renaissance will continue or if we’ll see a return to Oura being the only game in town. 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.
It’s also worth noting that Tom Hale, CEO of Oura, has stated that he doesn’t think Apple will dip its toes into the smart ring space. While this may be true, it’s hard to tell how committed Samsung is to the Galaxy Ring if it doesn’t immediately succeed.
The Interest is There
During my summer of wearing six smart rings, I fielded a ton of questions from curious friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Some were looking for an alternative to their smartwatches, while others wanted something beautiful and discreet. A few were extremely into sleepmaxxing, a viral trend where people try to optimize their sleep quality – and thus heavily invested in something comfortable and long-lasting to track their sleep.
The interest is there; the question is whether this renaissance will continue or if we’ll see a return to Oura being the only game in town. Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – smart rings are here to stay.