Samsung Galaxy Ring Hands On: Worth a quick finger!

Introduction to the Galaxy Ring

If you've been following me, you know I love my Aura Ring. It's been something I keep on my fingers for a long time. With my heart disease, the data from both my Aura Ring and the Woot Band has been monumental in helping me manage my health in a quantifiable way. Until these devices came out, I could only quantify what was previously qualitative.

Why the Galaxy Ring is Perfect for Me

Here at Mobile World Congress, I got to check out the next big thing: the Galaxy Ring. You might be wondering why I'm excited about Samsung making a ring. I love my Aura Ring, but one of the biggest issues I found—and actually one of the reasons I stopped wearing it recently—is that swelling in my fingers makes it unusable. One of my favorite things about the Galaxy Ring, which I only realized when I managed to put it on for a few minutes, is its concave design.

"The concave design means that when your fingers do swell, it is far less likely to be cutting off circulation."

Instead of being rounded on the outside like a regular wedding band, the Galaxy Ring's design helps alleviate the pressure when my fingers swell. I had to put this to the test, so I compared a size 12 Aura Ring with a size 12 Galaxy Ring while both of my fingers were swollen. The concave design helps—not just a little bit, but quite a lot.

Unique Features of the Galaxy Ring

What else do we know about the Galaxy Ring? It's supremely light and comes in three finishes: silver, gold, and a really nice matte black. It also comes in nine sizes. Now, what about the health features? We know we're buying this as a health product, and that's where it gets super interesting.

"Samsung said it's essentially going to support many if not all of the same features that the Galaxy Watch does."

I've used a Galaxy Watch and many other Samsung wearables, and the Galaxy Watch 6 is probably one of my favorite all-around health devices. The sleep tracking is phenomenal. While we don't know exactly what the Galaxy Ring will be capable of, Samsung has indicated that it will support many of the same features as the Galaxy Watch. Some features may not be feasible due to the form factor, but I'm excited to try it out when it launches in the second half of this year.

Compatibility and Market Impact

Now, you may be wondering if you need a Samsung phone. So far, it seems the Galaxy Ring will primarily be compatible with Galaxy devices, and Samsung is working on making it compatible with other Android devices. However, it probably won't support iOS at launch, which is a shame. We all expect Apple to make a ring eventually, but it's fascinating to see Samsung entering a space that has been dominated by Aura.

"There's a strong chance that the Galaxy Ring is going to be the ring that sets the benchmark."

Aura has shown that this category is feasible and has a use case. With Samsung entering the market, I believe the Galaxy Ring could set a new standard. Samsung Health is fantastic, and I can't wait for its launch. While we don't have a price yet, my guess is between $350 and $500 USD. Stay tuned, and let me know what you think in the comments below. Remember, this ring is really nice in person!