what you need to know
- Smart ring maker Oura has started selling a range of its devices and accessories on Amazon.
- Oura sees the move as a way to expand its retail presence and enter the market early as it foresees new competition.
- The Oura CEO recently discussed Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Ring and said its presence will be “positive” and provide “validation” to the wearable category.
Oura’s smart rings are being sold on Amazon, and the company says they’re part of a “retail expansion.”
Oura’s line of smart rings went on sale on Amazon on Thursday (March 7), along with some accessories, CNBC reported. The publication spoke with Oura’s chief marketing officer Doug Sweeny, who said: “Amazon is a natural step for us. It’s a huge ecosystem and it’s very important in terms of product reviews and search.”
Previously, Oura sold its range of products directly through its website and then shipped the devices to users from its warehouses. Placing its device on Amazon is also said to allow Oura to reach a “very, very broad range of people” who are interested in their health and how to be “proactive” about it.
The flip side, however, is competition – Oura is eyeing Samsung.
Sweeny said in an interview that Oura sees Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Ring as a “positive thing.” He added that the South Korean tech giant’s impending entry into the smart ring space gives them “validation” in the smart ring space, and that Oura “welcomes” increased competition.
On the other side of its competitive spectrum is Apple, which continues to thrust its smartwatches into the health-centric spotlight.
The Oura Ring Gen 3 is big health-specific data in a small package, and the company has something to say about Samsung’s version. Oura CEO Tom Hale said the brand has “relentlessly invested” in designing a smart ring that gives every user a voice. Hale then cited the extensive patent portfolio Oura has accumulated for smaller smart ring form factors.
Oura is firmly opposed to Samsung’s looming threat, and Hale added that the company will work harder to serve consumers.
Previous rumors claimed that Samsung’s Galaxy Ring will be launched in the second half of 2024. If the news is true, consumers may see the device unveiled alongside the Korean OEM’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Fold 6. The ring may also feature a concave design, as Samsung wants to weave in that design. in the health and fitness sensors needed beneath the surface.
Another rumor claims that the device will have a battery life of nearly 10 days.