First Impressions
Galaxy Ring Review: The Samsung Galaxy Ring is the latest attempt to redefine smart wearables. While smart rings have been around for a decade—starting with the Oura Ring—Samsung aims to refine the experience. The main advantage? You can wear it 24/7 with minimal disruption to daily life. With a sleek design and a 7-day battery life, it promises seamless health tracking without the bulk of a smartwatch.
Design and Comfort
Galaxy Ring Review: The Galaxy Ring is impressively compact, measuring just 2.6mm in thickness. While it closely resembles a standard ring, its slightly bulging design may not appeal to everyone, especially those with smaller hands. That said, the engineering behind fitting a battery and sensors into such a small form factor is commendable. The titanium build gives it a premium feel, available in three colors—gold, silver, and matte black.
However, sizing is crucial. Unlike smartwatches, which offer adjustable straps, the Galaxy Ring requires a precise fit. Samsung offers a ring sizing kit for $10, which is later deducted from the purchase price. Yet, even with this tool, finding the perfect fit can be tricky. A loose fit may lead to inaccurate readings, while a tight one could cause discomfort over time.
Health and Activity Tracking
Galaxy Ring Review: The Galaxy Ring integrates with the Samsung Health app, offering insights into:
- Calories burned
- Steps taken
- Distance covered
- Heart rate monitoring
- Sleep tracking
- Energy score (out of 100)
In practice, its accuracy is questionable. Compared to the Apple Watch Ultra, the step count was noticeably inflated, yet the ring undercounted floors climbed. Additionally, during one test, it continued logging heart rate readings even after being removed. This raises concerns about the reliability of its sensors.
For optimal readings, Samsung advises wearing the ring on the index finger with the sensors aligned to the palm side. This is a key detail, as incorrect positioning could further impact accuracy.
Workout Performance
Galaxy Ring Review: The biggest drawback? It’s not ideal for high-intensity workouts. Activities like weightlifting, Ultimate Frisbee, or golf make wearing a ring impractical. While auto workout detection exists, it struggled to recognize lower-intensity exercises.
Moreover, sleep tracking—while promising—was inconsistent. There were instances where the ring misjudged sleep onset time, showing a delayed start despite the user already being in bed.
Ecosystem and Smart Features
Galaxy Ring Review: The Galaxy Ring leans heavily into Samsung’s ecosystem. Exclusive features include:
- Gesture controls (e.g., dismissing alarms or taking photos)
- Samsung Health integration
- Samsung-only device compatibility
Unlike competitors like the Oura Ring or Ultrahuman Ring, which work across Android devices, the Galaxy Ring is locked to Samsung phones. While this ensures deeper integration, it significantly limits potential buyers.
Battery Life and Charging
Galaxy Ring Review: The Galaxy Ring delivers on its 7-day battery promise, with an included charging case capable of recharging the ring 1.5 times. The case features built-in LED indicators for battery levels, making it easy to monitor charging status.
Missing Features and Drawbacks
Despite its strengths, the Galaxy Ring has some notable omissions:
- No built-in speaker or haptic feedback (unlike smartwatches)
- No ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking—making it hard to locate if lost
- Limited cross-platform compatibility
The lack of a proper “Find My Ring” feature is particularly frustrating. While the app offers a GPS-based last-seen location and can illuminate the LEDs inside the ring, finding a small, dark object remains a challenge.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is an exciting concept but isn’t for everyone. If you prioritize wearability over smartwatch functionality and already own a Samsung phone, it could be a great fit. However, fitness enthusiasts may find it limiting, and those outside Samsung’s ecosystem should consider alternatives like the Oura Ring.
Pros:
✔ Ultra-light and comfortable for 24/7 wear
✔ 7-day battery life
✔ Deep Samsung Health integration
✔ No subscription fees (unlike Oura Ring)
Cons:
✖ Inconsistent fitness tracking
✖ Limited to Samsung phones
✖ Lacks UWB or proper “Find My Ring” feature
✖ Not ideal for high-intensity workouts
Technical Specifications
- Material: Titanium
- Thickness: 2.6mm
- Weight: ~3 grams
- Battery Life: Up to 7 days
- Charging Case: Provides 1.5 additional charges
- Compatibility: Samsung Galaxy phones only
- Sensors: Heart rate, motion tracking, temperature
- Water Resistance: IP68