Expected for several months, Samsung’s first connected ring is finally available. But if the Galaxy Ring keeps its technical promises, it only surpasses the competition by its price, which is much too high.
Connected rings have been talked about for several years now. A few brands have started the movement like Oura or Ultra Human or Ice Watch but this type of device was still quite confidential. To really shine a spotlight on this accessory, a major tech player had to take part in the exercise. And Samsung is doing it!
We were therefore naturally entitled to expect a lot from the Korean giant’s expertise and its mastery in order to be able to seduce a wider audience. Suffice to say that its Galaxy Ring was expected at the turning point.
And on many points, Samsung’s ring does not disappoint. The manufacturer has designed it with care as it usually does with all its products. What we did not see coming, however, is the price. And the enthusiasm of falling like a soufflé in the face of competition that does just as well and sometimes better for less. We wore the Galaxy Ring on our finger for a month. Here is our verdict.
|
|
Samsung Galaxy Ring review: a neat design but not always comfortable
A ring, even a connected one, is first and foremost a piece of jewelry. A principle that Samsung did not overlook when designing its Galaxy Ring. It comes in the form of a 7 mm wide titanium ring with a thickness of 2.6 mm — a little more than jewelry rings — for a weight of 2.3 g to 3 g for the largest models. In addition, it adopts a slightly convex surface shape, which is a little more hollow towards the center. The effect is successful and discreet. The Galaxy Ring is available in three colors (gray, black and gold) and nine sizes. The brand provides (for €10 refundable after purchase) a ring sizer to determine the diameter that is best suited.
Samsung had the good idea of placing a small raised mark at a specific location on the surface of the ring. This allows it to be properly oriented on the finger so that the sensors located on the inner edge remain well positioned in order to take their measurement. This punch must always be oriented towards the palm of the hand. A practical attention since the ring can tend to turn around the finger throughout the day.
We wore the Galaxy Ring on our index finger for over a month and appreciated the long-term feel. As a result, it appears to us that the ring is not comfortable in all situations. Its thickness sometimes works against it when it comes to gripping an object (a screwdriver handle, the grip of a bicycle handlebar, etc.) in the hand. Its presence is noticeable and felt.
Finally, no worries about waterproofing. The Galaxy Ring has an IP68 rating like many smartphones and can go down to 100 m deep. You can therefore take a shower, swim in the pool (and even in the sea) while keeping it on your finger. We did not encounter any malfunctions in all these cases.
Samsung Galaxy Ring review: two apps for one ring
To work, the Samsung ring needs two apps. The first, Galaxy Wear, allows you to pair the ring with the smartphone, display its battery level and manage settings. We note in passing that it is also possible to use the ring to stop an alarm or take a photo by tapping the index finger (on which it is slid) twice against the thumb. Options available on Samsung smartphones powered by OneUI 6.1.1 as on the S24 Ultra that we used for this test.
The app also allows you to set the ring to automatically detect activities (walking and running), predict menstrual cycles, measure blood oxygen during sleep and skin temperature, but also… snoring. A slightly misleading function since in this specific case, it is the smartphone, placed on the bedside table, that is responsible for staying attentive.
Galaxy Wear also features shortcuts to the data collected. These then open the second app that owners of the brand’s smartphones are familiar with: Samsung Health. This is where all the data collected by the ring and its analysis by Samsung and Galaxy AI, the in-house artificial intelligence, are displayed.
One wonders, however, why two apps are necessary. Everything could have easily been accommodated within Samsung Health. Furthermore, Samsung has decided to leave iPhone users by the wayside. Its Galaxy Ring only works with Android smartphones and if they are mobiles of the brand, it is even better. Too bad.
Samsung Galaxy Ring review: fairly accurate data
This is of course where we are most looking forward to the Galaxy Ring. At this price, the ring must be more precise than competing models. To conduct its measurements, it has three sensors: a first to analyze heart rate and blood oxygen (SpO2), a second to determine temperature (during sleep only) and an accelerometer to analyze movements and calculate the number of steps.
By collecting this data throughout the day and night, and after analysis, the Samsung Health app presents a daily energy score out of 100. This takes into account the quality of sleep, stress level (calculated with heart rate) and physical activity. Depending on the score obtained, the app provides advice on reducing stress, increasing or decreasing physical activities, extending or reducing the duration of sleep, etc. The indicator seems generally reliable, even if the nuance is not always essential.
After an intense week, our score had dropped to 20 out of 100. Almost all metrics were in the red (an onset of the flu also weighed down our sleep periods, limiting it to 5 hours per night for 2 nights). The app strongly encouraged us to get some rest. Okay. After a long, restorative night (more than 10 hours), the app told us that too much sleep was bad. It didn’t seem to take into account the previous scores.
Sleep analysis, precisely. This is one of the crucial points of connected rings since they allow all those who do not like sleeping with a watch to be able to easily monitor their sleep in a less intrusive way. In this area, we found the measurements of the Galaxy Ring quite reliable. As reliable as the Ice Ring that we have been wearing for several months but which costs 200 euros. Conclusion: if you are tempted by a connected ring simply to monitor your nights, a less expensive ring will do the job just as well. Finally, we note that the LEDs present in the body of the ring remain lit permanently for a good part of the night. They remain visible but less dazzling than on the Ice Ring.
On the other hand, for activity tracking, the Galaxy Ring stands out. Compared to the results obtained with an Apple Watch Ultra, the heart rate is very precise, as are the distances traveled. It’s flawless.
Samsung Galaxy Ring review: very good battery life
The advantage of smart rings like these is that they don’t have a screen. In fact, their battery life is nothing like that of watches. The Galaxy Ring therefore has good endurance. We wore it for 7 days and 6 nights before its battery ran out.
For recharging, Samsung provides a very elegant case made of transparent and white plastic. A small case itself equipped with a battery, a bit like for Bluetooth headphones. It has a LED ring that indicates its own charge level and that of the ring once it is inserted. This case allows the ring to be recharged between one and two times. But above all, it allows you to take it with you without having to look for a cable and an electrical outlet to refill it. Practical.
There remains an important detail specific to all smart rings and not just Samsung’s. Their very design prevents any repair. So much so that once the battery reaches the end of its life, it is not possible to replace it and start over. The smart ring becomes nothing more than a simple jewel ring. If in the case of inexpensive rings (we came across a few at the IFA show in Berlin) a lifespan of 5 or six years is acceptable, with a ring at 450 euros like Samsung’s, longevity has more than interest in being there.
Samsung Galaxy Ring review: should you buy this connected jewel?
The Galaxy Ring is not for everyone. Its rather elitist price already eliminates a good portion of potential customers. Its exclusive operation with Android smartphones also deprives it of a good portion of the population. Finally, if you already use a watch or a connected bracelet, it will not bring you much more. Unless you cannot stand sleeping with such an accessory on your wrist and you absolutely want to monitor your sleep. And even then, if that is all it is, other connected rings will provide you with equally reliable analyses for much less money. So, unless you absolutely want to remain in the Samsung ecosystem, the Galaxy Ring is not our first choice. If Samsung agrees to lower its price, it could however become a reference.