By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Innovative Wearable Aims to Redefine Health and Connectivity
Samsung is targeting fitness and health tracking technology enthusiasts with its latest wearable device, the Galaxy Ring. Unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, the Galaxy Ring is a new addition to Samsung's ecosystem of devices, which the company claims are being "supercharged" with artificial intelligence (AI).
Smart rings, equipped with tiny sensors to monitor various health metrics, have so far been a niche product. However, their recent use by the England men's football team has brought them into the spotlight. Samsung, the largest tech company yet to enter the smart ring market, aims to make these devices more mainstream.
Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight, describes Samsung's venture into smart rings as an "interesting bet." His company estimates a total global market of around four million smart rings by 2025, a figure that pales in comparison to the 250 million smartwatches expected to be sold. Nevertheless, others believe Samsung's entry could help popularize smart rings.
"For most consumers, the smart ring from Samsung will be the first encounter they have with this technology, and that top of mind awareness makes a huge difference in the long term," says Francisco Jeronimo, an analyst for market research firm IDC.
James Kitto, vice president and head of Samsung's mobile division in the UK & Ireland, called the ring's launch a "huge moment" for the company.
What are Smart Rings?
Smart rings can track health indicators such as heart rate, sleep, and menstrual cycles. The market is currently dominated by Finnish health tech firm Oura. In recent years, smart rings have become a fashionable fitness tech staple for celebrities like Kim Kardashian. Analysts suggest they could eventually succeed smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch due to their small size and sleek appearance.
Kitto described Samsung's Galaxy Ring as the company's "smallest and most discrete product yet, offering accurate 24/7 health, wellness, and sleep tracking." While smartwatches typically have more sensors and can access a broader range of health data, smart rings offer a convenient, comfortable, and stylish alternative for those who prefer not to wear a bulky smartwatch, particularly overnight to track sleep patterns.
The Galaxy Ring, compatible with Samsung's Galaxy smartphones operating on Android 11 or above, will be available in the UK on July 24 for £399.
Dr. Efpraxia Zamani, associate professor of information systems at Durham University, noted that Samsung's Galaxy Ring, as part of a broader ecosystem of products providing health and wellbeing insights, may be an "attractive offering" for many consumers. However, she cautioned users to be aware of what data is being collected, how it is used, and where it is shared.
"Being part of an ecosystem means that data can be collected from the ring, the watch, and the phone. When combined, this can have even more significant impacts, both positive and negative," she said.
The collection of data relating to menstrual cycles has been controversial. Last year, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office launched a review of period and fertility tracking apps over data security concerns.
