Published: 23 Aug. 2024, 09:27
From left, a ring from a jewelry brand, the Galaxy Ring in silver shade, and its charger [JIN EUN-SOO]
From left, regular ring, Galaxy Ring Silver, and Galaxy Ring Charger. [진은수 기자]
Samsung Galaxy Ring review: a nitty-gritty health tracker that’s not worth $399
I tried the Galaxy Ring: True to the basics, but the price is a burden
Korea JoongAng Daily 3:00
Friday-Sunday, Aug. 16-18, 2024
If you expect Samsung’s Galaxy Ring to enhance your appearance with a high-tech touch on your finger, you may find its $399 price tag excessive.
If you’re anticipating the Samsung Galaxy Ring to provide a stylish, high-tech flair to your finger, the $399 price might seem inflated.
The Galaxy Ring, which is Samsung Electronics’ smallest wearable device to date, was launched in July as the company’s first serious competitor to the $300 Oura, which currently dominates the emerging smart ring market.
Samsung Electronics’ smallest wearable to date, the Galaxy Ring, hit the market in July and is the company’s first official rival to the $300 Oura, which leads the emerging smart ring market.
The ring indeed boasts a sleek design, highlighted by its simple black, silver, and gold shades and concave form.
The Galaxy Ring features a truly sleek design, with its clean black, silver, and gold hues and concave shape.
The titanium finish on the ring effectively resists scratches, showing no noticeable damage at the end of the two-week trial period.
The titanium finish of the ring offers excellent scratch resistance, with no visible damage after two weeks of wear.
However, when worn alongside platinum jewelry, the metallic material appeared a bit too futuristic.
However, when paired with platinum jewelry, the Galaxy Ring’s metal looked somewhat excessively modern.
The Galaxy Ring’s battery lasted for six full days on a single charge. This duration allowed the device to consistently track sleep patterns and stress levels, enhancing the accuracy of the collected data.
The Galaxy Ring’s battery endured for a whole six days on one charge, enabling it to consistently monitor sleep patterns and stress levels, thereby improving data accuracy.
Each morning, the Health app on the Galaxy smartphone presents a detailed energy score based on sleep, activity, and heart rate data collected from the previous day and throughout the night. If the score is lower than expected, it provides suggestions for improvement.
Every morning, the Health app on your Galaxy smartphone generates a comprehensive energy score based on sleep, activity, and heart rate data from the previous day and overnight. If your score is below your usual level, it offers recommendations for improvement.
If a user’s overnight heart rate strays significantly from typical patterns, the app advises focusing on recovery, taking breaks, or ensuring a good night’s sleep—though these can be challenging to achieve.
If your overnight heart rate deviates considerably from your usual pattern, the app will suggest you concentrate on recovery, rest, or deep sleep—all of which can be difficult to manage.
The two-week period included no binge drinking or late-night work, resulting in this reporter’s energy score remaining well above 60. When going to bed earlier than usual or exercising more, the score peaked at 82.
The two weeks did not involve binge drinking or working late, so the reporter’s energy score consistently remained above 60. When he went to bed earlier or exercised more than usual, his score reached as high as 82.
The ring also tracks specific biomarkers to assess stress levels every 10 minutes and displays trends over the span of a day, a month, and a year.
The device also measures certain physical indicators to determine your stress levels every 10 minutes and illustrates trends over daily, monthly, and yearly periods.
However, it is disappointing that the Galaxy Ring does not offer much in the way of new health tracking features compared to the Galaxy Watch. In fact, the watch provides a broader array of functionalities, including workout tracking.
However, the Galaxy Ring is disappointing in that it fails to introduce anything new to health tracking compared to the Galaxy Watch, which actually offers a more diverse set of features, including exercise tracking.
Blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring functions are not included in the device, reportedly due to medical regulations.
blood glucose: blood sugar
blood pressure: blood pressure
Blood sugar and blood pressure measurement features were reportedly omitted due to medical regulations.
WRITTEN BY JIN EUN-SOO AND TRANSLATED BY PARK EUN-JEE [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr, park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]
Published: 23 Aug. 2024, 09:27
From left, a ring from a jewelry brand, the Galaxy Ring in silver shade, and its charger [JIN EUN-SOO]
Samsung Galaxy Ring Review: Is It Worth the $399 Price Tag?
If you’re considering the Samsung Galaxy Ring as your next health tracker, price and performance are likely at the top of your list. At $399, this wearable aims to compete with the existing champion of smart rings, the Oura Ring, priced at $300. This article delves into the Galaxy Ring’s design, functionality, effectiveness in health monitoring, and ultimately—whether it justifies its high price.
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy Ring is Samsung’s smallest wearable device released to date, showcasing a modern, sleek aesthetic. Available colors include classic black, silver, and gold, all combined into a stylish concave design. Here are some highlighted features:
- Sleek Appearance: The Galaxy Ring’s minimalist design fits comfortably and stylishly on the finger.
- Scratch Resistance: The titanium finish effectively repels scratches, maintaining a pristine look even after multiple wearings.
- Material Compatibility: When worn with platinum jewelry, the futuristic look of the Galaxy Ring may appear overly modern in comparison.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery longevity, the Galaxy Ring shines with a six-day usage on a single charge. This impressive performance enables continuous tracking of:
- Sleep Patterns: The device monitors your sleep quality and duration, leading to more insightful sleep data.
- Stress Levels: By tracking your heart rate through the night, it helps identify stress indicators stemming from your daily routine.
Health Tracking Features
One of the primary selling points of the Galaxy Ring is its health tracking capabilities. Users can expect the following functionalities:
Comprehensive Data Insights
- Energy Score: The Health app on the Galaxy smartphone calculates a daily energy score based on sleep, activity, and heart rate data from the previous day. If your score dips, it provides personalized suggestions to improve your health.
- Biomarker Tracking: The Galaxy Ring measures various biomarkers every 10 minutes, displaying trends over different time frames such as daily, monthly, and yearly.
Limitations
Despite its advanced features, the Galaxy Ring does have some shortcomings:
- While the health tracking capabilities are decent, they do not significantly exceed those of the Galaxy Watch, which includes more comprehensive workout tracking.
- Unfortunately, features like blood glucose and blood pressure monitoring are absent due to regulatory restrictions.
Comparison with Other Wearables
| Feature | Galaxy Ring | Oura Ring | Galaxy Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $300 | $399+ |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exercise Tracking | No | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6 days | 7 days | 1-2 days |
Personal Experience
Reflecting on a two-week trial period with the Galaxy Ring, I observed promising results. My energy score consistently remained above 60, with peaks of 82 after adjusting my sleep patterns and increasing my physical activity. The user’s experience is further nuanced by:
- Detailed sleep insights that propelled a more disciplined daily routine.
- Continuous stress monitoring offered a clearer understanding of my overall wellbeing.
Practical Tips for Potential Buyers
- Evaluate Your Needs: Before investing in the Galaxy Ring, consider your lifestyle and whether you need more advanced features offered by smartwatches.
- Pair with Samsung Smartphones: The most seamless experience is seen when the Galaxy Ring is paired with a Galaxy smartphone, leveraging the Health app for deeper insights.
- Consider Other Brands: If budget is a concern, explore alternatives like the Oura Ring, which provides competitive features at a lower cost.
Conclusion: Is It Worth the Investment?
Analyzing the Samsung Galaxy Ring’s features and performance, it is evident that while it delivers valuable health insights and stylish aesthetics, its $399 price tag may feel excessive for those who already own other tracking devices, especially the Galaxy Watch. Individuals seeking a simple health tracker may find better value in competing products.
With innovative designs and evolving health technology, the Galaxy Ring represents a step forward in wearable technology—albeit at a premium price point that may deter some users.
WRITTEN BY JIN EUN-SOO AND TRANSLATED BY PARK EUN-JEE [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr, park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]
