When people think of wearables, they often imagine smartwatches. However, 2024 was a relatively quiet year for smartwatches, with iterative updates dominating the landscape. This is not uncommon in a maturing category, where innovation slows down as manufacturers focus on perfecting their products. Nevertheless, the energy and excitement that came with exploring new ideas have been reignited by the emergence of smart rings.
A Brief History of Smart Rings
Smart rings are not a new concept, but 2024 saw a resurgence in interest and innovation within this category. In January, several smart ring manufacturers showcased their products at CES, leaving me wondering if this could be the start of something big. The turning point came in February when Samsung announced the Galaxy Ring, a move that sent shockwaves through the industry. As one of the leading players in the smartwatch market, Samsung’s decision to venture into a new category propelled smart rings from niche to mainstream.
A Renaissance in Smart Rings
The newer crop of smart rings is exciting because it brings with it innovative ideas and features that were previously unseen in this form factor. The Galaxy Ring, for instance, can work seamlessly with Samsung’s Galaxy Watches to optimize battery life and sensor accuracy. When paired with a Z Fold 6 or a Z Flip 6, it can even recognize pinching gestures to control the phone’s camera. While some might see this as a way to lock users into the Samsung ecosystem, it’s undeniable that these are not use cases we’ve seen from smart rings before.
Innovations in Smart Rings
It’s not just Samsung that is pushing the boundaries of what a smart ring can do. The Circular Slim, for example, allows users to set silent haptic alarms and interact with an AI chatbot. Movano’s Evie Ring caught my attention with its unique open-gap design and ambitious pursuit of FDA clearance for its metrics. Even Casio is getting in on the fun with its take on a retro low-tech smart ring.
The Rise of Competition
The renaissance of smart rings is especially refreshing when considering that Oura has dominated this space for over a decade. Oura primarily focuses on sleep tracking and recovery, which means that until recently, we’ve only thought of smart rings as health trackers. However, the competition is good for innovation, and it’s clear that Oura is responding to the new challenges. The company has been launching new features at a steady clip and exploring new integrations with continuous glucose monitors.
Challenges Facing Smart Rings
Despite the excitement surrounding smart rings, there are still several challenges to overcome. They’re expensive, making them inaccessible to many consumers. When compared to similarly priced smartwatches, they don’t do quite as much. Moreover, making a smart ring is a complex process due to its small size and the need for precise components. Additionally, manufacturers have to account for a wide range of finger sizes, including seasonal swelling.
The Future of Smart Rings
As we look ahead to 2025, it’s uncertain whether the renaissance will continue. We don’t yet know how well the Galaxy Ring is selling, but if it does well, especially as an accessory to other gadgets, you can bet that Google and Apple will take notice. However, it’s hard to tell how committed Samsung is to the Galaxy Ring if it doesn’t immediately succeed.
Conclusion
During my summer of wearing six smart rings, I received numerous questions from curious friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Some were interested in returning to a simpler time with a Casio watch, while others wanted something beautiful and discreet. A few were heavily invested in sleepmaxxing, looking for comfortable and long-lasting devices to track their sleep.
The interest is there, but the question remains: will this renaissance continue or will we return to Oura being the only game in town?
