Earlier today, Samsung launched its first foray into the smart ring category, the Galaxy Ring, and since we were in attendance at MWC, we had a chance to see the fitness tracker in person. It comes in three official colors: Ceramic Black, Platinum Silver, and Gold.
The ring has an interesting design choice – it’s concave so the sides taper towards the middle, sort of like a miniature car rim. No matter which color you choose, it’s very shiny and seems to attract a lot of smudges. All the demo unit was placed behind glass, but Samsung reps assured us it’s very light and easy to wear 24/7.
Ceramic Black Galaxy Ring
Galaxy Ring will be available in US ring sizes 5 – 13, with specific sizes noted on the inside of the ring. A key aspect is that the larger ring will offer a slightly larger battery, but Samsung has yet to reveal specific details.
Samsung didn’t reveal the specific sensors inside the Galaxy Ring, but we did get information that it will offer extensive sleep tracking, including heart rate, breathing rate, nighttime movement, and the ability to detect early signs of sleep apnea. Since the Galaxy Ring doesn’t have any screens or buttons, you’ll need a compatible Galaxy smartphone and the Samsung Health app to view your data.
Platinum Galaxy Ring
Samsung is also promoting the Galaxy Ring as the ideal companion to the Galaxy Watch series. The two can combine health and activity tracking data for more accurate results, and the ring has clear advantages as a more stylish sleep tracker than wearing a smartwatch.
Like the new Galaxy Watch, the Galaxy Ring calculates your vitality score based on a combination of daily activity, sleep, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability. Users can also set specific health goals and receive feedback on their progress through refill cards available in the Galaxy Health app.
gold galaxy ring
There is still much unknown about the Galactic Ring. How much will it cost? When will non-Samsung smartphones be supported? Will it eventually support iOS devices? Perhaps the more pressing question is – when will it go on public sale? Samsung says it will provide more details about the Galaxy Ring later this year, so we’ll have to wait and see.