In the past week, I’ve explored the ins and outs of the Galaxy Ring, Samsung’s foray into the world of smart rings. It’s been an enlightening experience, both about the device and myself. After resizing, analyzing its features, and contemplating its role compared to smartwatches, I’ve formed some strong opinions. Here’s a breakdown:
Design and Wearability
The Galaxy Ring impresses with its sleek and almost unassuming design. Measuring 2.6mm thick, it strikes a balance between being compact and packing advanced tech. The titanium build comes in three finishes—gold, silver, and matte black—and fits seamlessly into daily life. Unlike bulkier wearables, it’s designed to be worn 24/7, from workouts to showers, with a battery life lasting up to a week.
For newcomers to rings (like me), there’s an adjustment period. Proper sizing is critical; I initially got it wrong, leading to gaps in my sleep data. Samsung provides a $10 sizing kit to ensure a snug fit, and it’s worth the extra effort.
Performance and Tracking
The ring connects to the Samsung Health app to track calories burned, steps, sleep, and more, all rolled into an “energy score” out of 100. Compared to my Apple Watch Ultra, however, the tracking left much to be desired. It seemed overly generous with activity counts but missed other metrics like floors climbed. Alarmingly, it sometimes logged heart rates even when I wasn’t wearing it.
Practical Limitations
The Galaxy Ring isn’t adjustable like a watch, and the need for specific finger placement (index finger with sensors aligned to the palm) adds another layer of complexity. Moreover, as someone who participates in hands-intensive activities like ultimate frisbee, golf, and weightlifting, I found myself removing the ring often—defeating its purpose as a constant tracker.
Its auto-workout detection also struggled with lighter exercises, and sleep tracking occasionally missed early bedtimes. For precise sleep insights, my smart mattress cover (Eight Sleep) performed better.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy Ring’s minimalist design and week-long battery life are its standout features. It’s ideal for those seeking a subtle, distraction-free wearable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t align with my lifestyle. My smartwatch, despite its bulkier form, offers better functionality for tracking workouts and delivering accurate data when I need it most.
In conclusion, while the Galaxy Ring offers a novel and exciting approach to wearable tech, its limited versatility and tracking quirks make it less suitable for active users like me. For casual wearers or those seeking a more discreet alternative to smartwatches, it’s a solid option—just not for everyone.