Introduction
In a bold move beyond smartwatches and fitness bands, Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Ring—a sleek finger-worn wearable that promises continuous health tracking, minimalist style, and seamless integration into the Galaxy ecosystem. Announced on July 10 2024 at Samsung’s Unpacked event, the Galaxy Ring marks the company’s first foray into the “smart ring” category.
If you’re looking for a wearable that sits out of sight yet works behind the scenes to monitor your sleep, heart rate, activity and more—this could be it. In this review, we dive deep into what the Galaxy Ring offers, how it performs, its limitations, and whether it’s the right choice in 2025.
Design & Build
Premium Materials, Feather-Light Feel
Samsung has crafted the Galaxy Ring with a lightweight design ranging from 2.3 g to 3.0 g depending on size. The body is made from Grade 5 titanium, offering durability while keeping the ring discreet. The ring is offered in three finishes: Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gold.
Fit & Sizes
One of the major strengths is the size variety. Initially, Samsung offered nine sizes (size 5 through size 13) to ensure a precise fit. Later, two larger size options (14 & 15) were added, expanding options for users with larger fingers. Samsung even provides a free sizing-kit so users can try before committing.
Water & Durability
The Galaxy Ring boasts IP68 dust/water resistance and a 10 ATM rating—meaning it’s safe for everyday wear, including pools or showers (though not deep diving). The combination of titanium build and robust water-resistance means this ring is built for all-day, everyday wear.
Charging Case & Extras
The ring ships with a clamshell style charging case that features LED lighting—a nod to jewelry-box style aesthetics. From an aesthetic and convenience standpoint, this is a nice touch.
Key Features & Health Tracking
1. Sensors & Health Metrics
The Galaxy Ring is equipped with a three-sensor system:
- Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor for heart-rate and rhythm tracking.
- Skin temperature sensor.
- Accelerometer for motion detection and activity recognition.
2. Health & Wellness Insights
Samsung integrates the data into its Samsung Health platform and layers in Galaxy AI-driven features such as an “Energy Score” which evaluates both your physical and mental readiness. Sleep tracking is especially robust: you get sleep stages, respiration rate, movement, snoring detection (where supported), and a sleep-score summary.
3. Activity Tracking & Smart Gestures
The ring supports auto-activity detection (e.g., walking, running) and tracks calories burned. Notably, if paired with a supported Samsung phone (One UI 6.1.1 or later), you can use gesture controls—double-pinch to dismiss an alarm or take a photo.
4. Compatibility
The Galaxy Ring works with Samsung devices and, according to reports, can also pair with other Android phones via the Galaxy Wearable app (though some features may be limited).
Performance & Battery Life
Battery Life
Samsung claims up to 7 days of battery life from a single charge (depending on size and usage). Larger sizes (size 11-13) with larger internal battery tend to hit the upper end. The inclusion of the charging case also makes topping up convenient when on the go.
Daily Use & Tracking Accuracy
In daily wear, many users find the ring comfortable and largely unobtrusive—an advantage over wrist-based wearables. That said, community feedback indicates some variability in tracking accuracy, especially when used in tandem with a watch. For example:
“The Galaxy Ring detected a much shorter walk than my Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health picked the ring’s data as the main session.”
This suggests that while the ring tracks well overall, it might not always match wrist-based devices for certain metrics (like step count consistency or workout detection).
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Ultra-discreet wearable in a ring form—great for those who dislike bulky smartwatches.
- Premium build (titanium) and comfortable light-weight feel (2.3-3.0 g).
- Strong health tracking credentials: heart rate, skin temp, sleep, activity.
- Long battery life for a wearable: up to ~7 days.
- Stylish design with multiple finishes and size options for good fit.
- No subscription required (unlike some competing ring devices with monthly fees).
👎 Cons
- Premium pricing (positioned at a high price tier).
- Some features (gestures, advanced integration) may require newer Samsung phones / One UI version.
- Tracking accuracy: while good, some users report discrepancies vs wrist-wearables.
- Fit matters a lot—if the ring doesn’t sit properly, sensors may under-perform.
- Unlike display-based wearables, there’s no screen—so you’ll rely on your phone for UI and feedback.
- Battery life, though good, still depends on usage and may degrade over time (some community reports of shorter real-world endurance).
Pricing & Availability
At launch, the Galaxy Ring carried a price tag around US $399 in selected markets. Pricing in India was set at around ₹38,999. Availability has expanded globally, with new sizes, new markets, and pricing varying by region.
If you’re in Bangladesh (Dhaka), you’ll want to check local Samsung authorised retailers or import channels, and make sure sizing kits are available (given the importance of fit for performance).
Should You Buy It?
For Whom It’s Ideal
- Users who already use Samsung smartphones and want a minimalist wearable that stays out of sight.
- Those who prioritise health and wellness tracking (sleep, heart rate, energy score) and are comfortable accessing insights via smartphone app rather than wearable screen.
- Professionals or style-conscious buyers who prefer sleek jewelry-style tech rather than wristbands.
When You Might Hold Off
- If you rely heavily on workout tracking, live metrics on wrist, or “always-on screen” wearables. A smartwatch might offer more flexibility.
- If you are price-sensitive and the cost of the Galaxy Ring feels too high for your budget.
- If you use an iPhone or non-Android platform and compatibility is uncertain or limited.
- If you have very large fingers and want to ensure fit/size availability in your local region (check sizing options).
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a standout in the wearable category—taking the health-tracking capabilities we expect from smartwatches and distilling them into a feather-light, stylish ring you hardly notice. With premium materials, strong battery life, advanced health sensors, and no subscription barriers, it sets a high bar for smart rings in 2025.
That said, it doesn’t replace all features of a full smartwatch—and because it’s so reliant on fit and handset compatibility, you should approach it as a specialised wellness wearable rather than a full “wrist smartwatch in ring form.”
If you’re in the market for something discreet, elegant, and focused on long-term health tracking (and you’re using a Samsung/Android phone), the Galaxy Ring is very much worth consideration. For more workout-centric or display-rich needs, you might still pair it with or choose a smartwatch instead.