Samsung unveils Galaxy smart ring to keep your health in check

First, there were smartphones, then smartwatches, and now smart rings, as the focus on health after the Covid-19 pandemic took another leap into leading healthier lifestyles.

While smart rings have been in the market for a while, Samsung has joined the chorus and unveiled its own version of a wearable, the Galaxy Ring.

Price

At R7 999, it’s almost the price of a midrange phone, which will have many people grappling if they have to make a choice between a phone and a ring.

Other brands are significantly cheaper, like the Black Omni Smart rings at R999, the Colmi R03 for R1 399, and the Oura ring, which has been available since 2015.

Apple ring

Apple may also have a smart ring in the works after the US Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent.

This relates to a future smart ring input device with pressure-sensitive input mechanisms to initiate an operation like choosing an icon on the Apple TV interface or interface of other devices such as Macs, iPhone, iPad, VR gloves or control aspects of smart home devices.

The Galaxy Ring is crafted in titanium and is available in, silver, gold, and black.

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Sizing

If you are wondering about sizing, Samsung said the Galaxy Ring comes with a sizing kit that allows customers to try on sample rings for more than a day to ensure optimal comfort before confirming their order.

This is crucial when investing in a smart ring.  The Galaxy Ring features three precision sensors — an Optical Bio-signal sensor, a Skin Temperature sensor, and an Accelerometer.

Battery life is a modest seven days on a single charge.

Smartwatch vs smart ring

The Galaxy Ring’s Heart Rate monitoring feature filters out the body’s movements, ensuring accurate readings. It also offers a Mindfulness Tracker, allowing users to monitor their moods and practice breathing exercises.

While smart rings fulfil the same health and activity tracking as a smartwatch, leaving your wrist free for a more conventional and traditional timepiece, smart rings may track your body’s movements much more precisely than other wearable technology.

Accuracy

However, in a recent impromptu test by The Citizen, there were minimal differences between the stats recorded between a smart ring and smartwatch.

Samsung said the Galaxy Ring empowers users to not only take control of their physical health but also improve their mental well-being.

The Galaxy Ring is available now in Samsung stores.

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