Samsung Galaxy Ring Review: Premium But Pricey

At a look

Professional’s Ranking

Professionals

• Fashionable and cozy
• Good person expertise
• Stable core monitoring
• Glorious charging case

Cons

• Erratic stress monitoring
• Costly
• Doesn’t really feel like metallic

Our Verdict

The Galaxy Ring is a superb first effort from Samsung. When you’re available in the market for a wise ring and may abdomen the value, it’s the most effective you will get proper now. Nonetheless, there are just a few niggles to concentrate on.

Value When Reviewed

$399.99

Greatest Costs As we speak: Samsung Galaxy Ring

$399.99

$399.99

Samsung’s first good ring is right here and can little doubt introduce the class to the mainstream.  

The large questions embrace ‘what does a wise ring do?’ and is ‘Samsung’s higher than rivals?’, with the Oura Ring Gen 3, RingConn Sensible Ring and Ultrahuman Ring Air all credible alternate options.

There’s heaps to unpack, so I’ve spent a few weeks with the Galaxy Ring on my finger to see the way it performs. 

Design & Construct 

• Three colors 
• 9 sizes 
• Titanium and waterproof 

The Galaxy Ring is likely one of the best-looking good rings in the marketplace when you ask me. 

It’s bought a concave form on the outer aspect, however is generally flat on the within, aside from three bumps the place sensors are housed. 

The design helps keep away from scratches, as does the actual fact the Galaxy Ring is produced from Grade 5 titanium. My pattern nonetheless seems model new after virtually two weeks of wear and tear – which may’t be stated for all rivals – and appears like it would maintain up effectively going ahead. 

I’ve bought the Titanium Silver colourway, which has a pleasant matt end, however you may also get it in Titanium Black and Titanium Gold when you favor. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

On the draw back, the Galaxy Ring doesn’t really feel as premium as I anticipated, contemplating the selection of fabric. My first wedding ceremony band was titanium, and this feels nothing prefer it – I might have guessed it was plastic. 

That is partly attributable to the way it feels to the touch, but additionally the load of the ring (2.3-3g, relying on the dimensions you get). It’s a race to the underside, which I don’t perceive when chunky, heavy jewelry is the norm and other people put on it 24/7 with no issues. 

If it was heavier, it could really feel extra luxurious and costly. I discover it very comfy however don’t suppose I might discover it any much less so if it was twice the load. 

One of many tough issues with good rings is selecting a dimension. It wants to suit correctly, so that you’ll want a sizing package (or go to a Samsung retailer when you can) as guessing received’t suffice. 

You may get one for £10 within the UK and Samsung will then take that off your order must you go on to purchase a Galaxy Ring. Within the US, it’s obtainable without spending a dime.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

There are 9 sizes to select from (5-13 US sizing) with no value distinction. These with bigger fingers get a much bigger battery, so that you may wish to issue this into your resolution of which finger to place it on. 

I went for my index finger, primarily to keep away from it clashing with my wedding ceremony ring (it’s not suggested that you just put on a wise ring in your dominant hand). 

To spherical out this part, the Galaxy Ring is IP68 and 10ATM rated which means it’s totally mud resistant and water-resistant sufficient to make use of whereas swimming. 

Setup 

• Not the smoothest expertise 
• A number of apps required

Once I assessment merchandise from firms like Samsung, I anticipate a greater and smoother person expertise in comparison with lesser-known rivals. 

Though I didn’t have the identical points because the Round Ring Slim, which took me every week of makes an attempt to pair, it additionally wasn’t excellent. 

With no display to supply directions, I reached into the field for the short begin information. This primarily informed me to open the case with the ring inside and anticipate a pop-up on my telephone. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

This by no means got here (maybe as a result of I wasn’t utilizing a Samsung Galaxy telephone), however there needs to be directions for this situation. As an alternative, I related the ring by way of Bluetooth, as in the event that they have been headphones, which labored first time. 

Then, I downloaded the Samsung Well being app to get going, solely there was no manner of including the ring. It seems, you additionally want the Galaxy Put on app, with the 2 working in conjunction. 

After a protracted and convoluted course of, I finally bought the whole lot arrange, nevertheless it took extra guesswork and fumbling than is right. It will be much better if Samsung consolidated these apps and made it extra apparent what to do. 

Associated: Samsung’s Galaxy Ring beats Oura in these 4 key methods, however loses in 1

Health & Monitoring 

• Coronary heart charge sensor 
• Pores and skin temperature sensor 
• Sleep monitoring and extra 

On the entire, a wise ring is sort of a health tracker, simply in your finger and with no display. The Galaxy Ring has coronary heart charge and pores and skin temperature sensors, together with an accelerometer to trace your exercise. 

You get all of the sorts of information that you just’d anticipate, resembling what number of steps you’ve taken every day, coronary heart charge, minutes lively and energy burned. There’s additionally sleep monitoring, together with blood oxygen ranges when you slumber.

It’s not probably the most complete monitoring system as a result of, in any case, Samsung has restricted area within the ring to pack the mandatory tech. It means there’s no GPS or altimeter for counting flooring climbed.  

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

You additionally miss out on the sorts of belongings you would anticipate on a smartwatch of this value, resembling ECG or Bioelectrical Impedance Evaluation sensor for superior metrics like physique composition. 

You may assume there’s an NFC chip for issues like contactless funds. However like all present rivals, that’s not a characteristic on provide. 

So, supplied you’re not on the lookout for GPS-tracked runs (with out your telephone) or electrocardiograms and different superior information, you’re good to go.

I’ve discovered the health and wellbeing monitoring on the Galaxy Ring to be correct and useful on the entire. 

In addition to the fundamentals like step depend, you get an ‘Power rating’, which has similarities to Google/Fitbit’s ‘Readiness rating’. It collates numerous information and components (primarily sleep, exercise and coronary heart charge) and basically tells you the way charged up you’re for exercise, with some notes alongside the entire rating out of 100.

It really works effectively and accurately recognized I used to be fairly knackered after a protracted and massive meal out for my wedding ceremony anniversary which affected my sleep. The following day, the app prompt I prioritised relaxation, which I gladly accepted. 

Sleep monitoring is usually correct, albeit on the beneficiant aspect of issues, sometimes suggesting I fell asleep as quickly as I bought into mattress, which is never the case. Whereas it may not be completely correct, I’d fairly be getting good sleep scores – even when it’s a placebo, they make me really feel higher.

I’ve ditched numerous different units that may monitor my sleep, as they solely made me really feel worse after I appeared on the outcome within the morning. And the Galaxy Ring wasn’t inaccurate sufficient to imply I used to be being informed I had power that I didn’t possess. 

You may get an summary of varied parts, together with sleep rating, or dive deeper into the varied metrics. After seven days of utilizing the ring, you’ll get assigned a sleep animal – I’m a Lion, apparently, although I really feel this may have been completely different had these first seven days been whereas I used to be at dwelling, at work and taking care of a toddler fairly than largely on vacation. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The Galaxy Ring additionally offers data and graphics in your coronary heart charge and blood oxygen, though information for the latter is just obtainable throughout sleep. I’m usually wholesome and comparatively match, so didn’t discover this information in isolation of a lot use. 

What I discovered to be fully inaccurate was the stress monitoring. Virtually day-after-day of utilizing the Galaxy Ring has apparently been a rollercoaster of stress, continually yoyoing between relaxed and completely overwhelmed. 

Most of the occasions the Galaxy Ring thought I used to be burdened, I used to be merely simply extra lively like taking the canine for a stroll or digesting a meal. I didn’t really feel burdened throughout both, but after I truly knew I used to be burdened, the ring thought the alternative.

Samsung does notice within the app that it doesn’t essentially replicate how you feel and issues like alcohol and caffeine will have an effect on measurements. Maybe I drink an excessive amount of tea and low for it to be helpful, however I think about will probably be an identical case for lots of people. 

Happily, the app doesn’t ship notifications telling me I’m burdened, but when I may, I feel I’d swap this characteristic off to keep away from the ironic stress of the readings being all over. 

Stress measurements are speculated to pause throughout exercise, however I didn’t at all times discover this to work and computerized monitoring of issues just like the aforementioned canine strolling solely labored a handful of occasions. 

Different sports activities and actions want guide activation, which I want I’d recognized after I went for a uncommon swim.  

As a person, I used to be unable to check the menstrual cycle monitoring, nevertheless it’s there if that’s of curiosity. 

The entire above is offered properly within the Samsung Well being app. It’s effectively laid out, vibrant and intuitive, not overwhelming you with numbers, but providing the choice for extra data and detailed breakdowns.

There are alternatives to manually add issues like water and meals consumption and physique composition. Past the Residence display, different tabs embrace Collectively and Health for competing with pals and Movies of issues like Zumba courses.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

As alluded to earlier, my primary gripe is that there’s additionally the Galaxy Put on app, and the 2 hyperlink to one another far an excessive amount of. For instance, the Samsung Well being app doesn’t present the Galaxy Ring battery stage and faucet issues within the Galaxy Put on app resembling Power rating simply pings you again over to Well being. 

With Bluetooth 5.4, I’ve discovered connectivity with the Galaxy Ring very strong certainly. And that is essential if you’re counting on the cell app for data and notifications. 

The ring syncs in a short time with the Well being app, and I like little touches Samsung has considered, like being notified the Galaxy Ring has reached 100% within the charging case. 

When you pair the ring with a appropriate Galaxy smartphone, a double pinch gesture between the finger the ring is on, and your thumb can take a photograph on the telephone or dismiss an alarm. 

Battery Life & Charging 

• Week-long battery life 
• Inexperienced/purple gentle indicators 
• Glorious charging case 

As talked about earlier, battery life will differ barely relying on what dimension Galaxy Ring you purchase. The battery dimension is as follows for the 9 sizes: 

• Sizes 5, 6, 7: 17mAh 
• Sizes 8, 9, 10, 11: 18mAh 
• Sizes 12, 13: 22.5mAh 

This boils all the way down to as much as six days of utilization on a single cost for sizes 5-11 and an extra day when you get 12 or 13. 

I’ve been testing a dimension 12, which has the largest battery, and located Samsung’s declare to be bang on. In truth, the Galaxy Ring final slightly bit longer than every week, dying within the early hours of day eight. 

The principle factor I might notice is that I’m not a fitness center bunny, so haven’t been doing any tracked exercises. 

In the case of charging, Samsung has nailed it with a extremely neat charging case. I’m not the largest fan of the clear design, which has a dental vibe to me, however I’m getting extra used to it over time. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

It really works identical to a pair of wi-fi earbuds, the place the case has a battery and tops up the ring at any time when it’s inserted. An LED ring across the Galaxy Ring signifies the battery stage if you open the case, or you possibly can faucet the button within the center, which can also be used to place it in pairing mode. 

I discovered the ring charged from lifeless to 26% in half-hour. The case itself could be charged by way of USB-C or Qi wi-fi charging, which is nice. 

I additionally discovered the case helpful after I wished someplace to soundly retailer the ring after I was doing one thing which didn’t go well with carrying it. 

When you don’t have the case or your telephone helpful to examine battery stage, the Galaxy Ring has a neat characteristic the place when you take it off and wait just a few seconds (the size appears to differ) the sensors will flash inexperienced or purple to point when you have above or beneath 10% battery. 

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

Chris Martin / Foundry

The ultimate factor to say on this part is there’s a manner of extending the battery life by as much as 30%. It sounds too good to be true however when you use the Galaxy Ring along side a Galaxy Watch, the monitoring is shared between the 2 units. With the ring not having to take readings like coronary heart charge as typically, the battery is conserved. 

Value & Availability 

The value of the Galaxy Ring is one thing of a dual-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s one of the costly good rings in the marketplace at £399/$399.99. 

You should purchase it from Samsung in addition to John Lewis and Currys within the UK. Within the US, discover it at Samsung in addition to Amazon and Greatest Purchase. 

It’s lots, particularly when you think about the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch FE begin at £289/$299.99 and £199/$199 respectively. 

It’s additionally dearer than rivals, which I’ve listed beneath for comfort. Nonetheless, Samsung doesn’t cost a month-to-month subscription payment to entry any explicit options or information, not like Oura.  

So, will probably be cheaper in the long term when you use it for lengthy sufficient. Keep in mind that Samsung may additionally provide a trade-in deal when a brand new era arrives. 

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Must you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Ring? 

The primary query it is advisable to ask your self is whether or not you need a good ring. They’re very completely different to smartwatches and exercise trackers as a result of lack of display, and have a tendency to have fewer options.

They might present longer or shorter battery life, relying on the watch you’re , and can also be dearer. If cash isn’t any object, you possibly can put on it with a Galaxy Look ahead to an enhanced expertise, although we have been eager to assessment it as a standalone product.

A lot of the choice will come all the way down to subjective preferences because it’s basically jewelry. When you’re set on a good ring – alone or along with a watch – the Galaxy Ring is definitely the most effective. 

It’s costly, however Samsung provides a reasonably clean and well-rounded expertise. I’ve discovered it comfy and trendy, although I would favor it heavier and with a extra metallic really feel. 

The monitoring and options are additionally superb general, supplied you’re pleased with the restrictions of the shape issue. It’s solely actually the stress monitoring that I discovered to be pointless. 

A formidable effort for a first-generation, Samsung has actually taken it to rivals resembling Oura. With principally small niggles, the Galaxy Ring comes advisable – supplied the value doesn’t put you off.

Specs

• Bluetooth 5.4
• Accelerometer
• Optical Coronary heart Price Sensor
• Temperature Sensor
• Charging case with USB-C and wi-fi charging
• Battery: 17-22.5mAh (relying on dimension)
• IP68
• 10ATM
• Sizes: 5-13 US
• Weight: 2.3-3g (relying on dimension)