The Samsung Galaxy Ring can track various health indicators such as heart rate. This is Samsung’s first foray into the smart ring product category as it looks to lock users into an ecosystem of devices from smartwatches to smartphones.
Arjun Kapoor CNBC
PARIS — Samsung launched the Galaxy Ring on Wednesday, its first foray into “smart rings.” The South Korean tech giant is looking to integrate its products, such as smartphones and wearables, and offer health tracking capabilities to take on rivals appleof push space.
Galaxy Ring, which Samsung has been teasing for the past few monthsIt’s a lightweight, sensor-equipped ring designed for 24-hour health monitoring, the company said Wednesday at the Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris.
As Samsung moves into new product categories, Smartphone sales recover slightly But users hold on to their phones longer. Equipment manufacturers are looking for add-on electronics to sell.
For Samsung, the Galaxy Ring adds a new device to its portfolio that can track health features alongside smartphones and smartwatches. Over the past few years, Samsung has tried to market its health apps — which have become increasingly popular with consumers — as a big reason to buy such products.
Samsung is positioning the ring as a device worn with smartwatches and smartphones, powered by artificial intelligence software, to provide comprehensive information about an individual’s health, a move that could help drive sales of its other products.
“This will be the star of the show, and all eyes will be on this new device and category from Samsung,” PP Foresight founder Paolo Pescatore told CNBC.
Pescatore said the ring is a “product that can help drive smartphone sales and migrate users to its platform.”
Galaxy Ring Key Features and Price
Samsung says the Galaxy Ring can monitor the following:
- sleep: This device can monitor a person’s movement status, sleep latency, heart rate and respiratory rate during sleep, and analyze sleep quality.
- menstrual cycle: Samsung says it uses skin temperature to help track a person’s menstrual cycle.
- heart rate: Galaxy Ring can notify users when their heart rate is abnormally high or low. Users can also view their heart rate instantly.
- exercise: The Galaxy Ring can detect the type of movement or activity a person is engaging in.
The Galaxy Ring weighs between 2.3 grams and 3 grams, depending on the size you buy. The device comes in three colors.
Samsung says the Galaxy Ring’s battery can last up to 7 days. There is a portable charging case, just like wireless earphones.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring will be available on July 24, priced starting at $399.99.
Samsung ecosystem gameplay
On Wednesday, Samsung also unveiled its latest smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra. This is the first time the company has released an “Ultra” model of a smartwatch, a device designed for athletes and people who engage in activities such as hiking and mountain climbing.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (left) and Galaxy Watch7 (right) are the Korean giant’s latest smartwatches. This is the first time Samsung has released an “Ultra” version of its wearable device.
Arjun Kapoor CNBC
The watches come with new sensors and sports tracking features.
Samsung also launched its latest foldable device on Wednesday: Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.
Samsung is trying to connect users more closely with its product ecosystem through this ring.
For example, when a smart watch is connected to a mobile phone, the user can use a “double pinch” motion with their fingers to answer calls or take photos.
Samsung says that when the Galaxy Ring, smartwatch and phone are paired together, users can gain a more detailed understanding of their health, especially while sleeping, because the devices are pulling data from more sources. Samsung says the ring’s battery life will be extended when worn with a smartwatch.
“In fact, watches and rings are part of an expanding ecosystem that will become increasingly important as AI technology is built on data collected from different devices. The more devices of the same brand a user owns , the more comprehensive the information obtained.
“This truly personalized experience will drive users to choose one brand of device over another.”
Like Apple, Samsung has been pushing the connectivity of its devices over the past few years to keep users engaged.
“It’s no surprise that Samsung is doubling down on tying its products to an ‘ecosystem story.’ Apple has proven that driving interdependence between products is an extremely effective way to lock consumers into a specific brand,” CCS Insight research director Ben Wood told CNBC.
Rings are a “niche” product
While the Galaxy Ring is unlikely to be a big sales hit for Samsung, it highlights how the tech company is looking to expand its audience.
“The Galaxy Ring is an interesting bet for Samsung,” Wood said, adding that the product category is a “niche segment” with about 4 million rings expected to be shipped in 2025. will reach 250 million units.
“However, this device category is well suited to consumers’ growing interest in tracking health metrics and complements Samsung’s current smartwatch sales, particularly in monitoring sleep.”
While smart watches are large devices, smart rings are less invasive and can be worn more comfortably at night.
Samsung isn’t the only company selling such devices. Oura is one of the market pioneers, having sold 2.5 million products in the past nine years, according to CCS Insight. With Samsung announcing the ring earlier this year, other manufacturers have also become interested in the market. CNBC reported in February that Chinese electronics manufacturers Honor is developing its own smart ring.
Wood said Samsung will be able to build the smart ring market on a larger scale than other competitors.
“Given its global reach and large marketing budget, Samsung is likely to be a market maker, driving awareness of new product categories that most consumers have not even heard of,” Wood said.
The Galaxy Ring could open up new revenue streams for Samsung in terms of software. Users can obtain data from wearable devices through the Samsung Health app. Hon Pak, head of Samsung’s digital health team, told CNBC in February that the company was “considering” offering a subscription service for the app.
IDC’s Jeronimo said: “This category may not become a major revenue source for Samsung, but it will help expand the wearable device portfolio and open the door to new services in the future (if they decide).”
