Samsung Galaxy Watch Ring review
Smart rings have been around for years, but such a ring is a product that is only interesting for a small group of people and therefore also manufacturers. Samsung took the plunge and presented their first ring earlier this year.
It is now also available in Dutch stores, a good time to test it extensively. How do you like such a smart piece of jewelry, can you use it on its own and what are the advantages and disadvantages compared to a watch? We will of course discuss this and more with you in this Samsung Galaxy Ring review. We used the Ring in combination with the Google Pixel 9 Pro, but also took the Galaxy A34 with it.
Lees: Samsung brings Galaxy Ring to the Netherlands: this is what you need to know
The review model of the Galaxy Ring was provided by Samsung.
Table of Contents Samsung Galaxy Ring review
Design and wearing comfort
We chose to test the matte silver model, but the Galaxy Ring is also available in black or gold. The gold version has a shiny finish and is therefore very sensitive to fingerprints, not really our thing. The ring is not completely flat, but runs outwards on the sides. There is a small line at the bottom, so you know how to wear it.
Several sensors need to make contact with the skin on the underside of your finger for the most accurate measurements. Samsung itself says that you can wear the Ring on all fingers, but recommends doing so on your index finger. It is available in nine sizes, so that there is a suitable one for many people.
The inside is made of black polycarbonate and the ring contains an alloy of titanium and should be resistant to scratches and other damage. However, during our test period, many minimal scratches occurred on the jewelry. This is especially visible on the bottom of the ring, which regularly scrapes over all kinds of surfaces.
Personalizing the device with an engraving, for example, is unfortunately not possible. I never wear rings myself, so that took some getting used to, but it weighs nothing and after an hour you no longer notice that it is on your finger. The ring is also resistant to dust and water, so taking it off while showering or swimming is not necessary. However, like all rings, it does get dirty quickly if you use gel or wax for your hair.
You can measure all of this
The ring has various sensors that allow you to measure your steps, heart rate or sleep behavior. You need two apps for this: Galaxy Wearable in Galaxy Health. To use it fully, you also need a Samsung account. You can also easily and quickly measure your energy score or stress level, as well as your menstrual cycle and blood oxygen level.
That’s all there is to it, because the ring doesn’t have many more options yet. Compared to other wearables such as smartwatches or fitness trackers, it is quite limited. Of course, that has to do with the minimal space that is available in this small gadget. It does automatically detect a walk or bike ride, but it can’t track dozens of other sports like you can with other devices.
Via the Health app you can quickly check how many steps you have taken, but also how many minutes you have been active or how many calories you have burned. You see extensive insights about your sleeping behavior and energy scores, but also receive advice on what you should do to become even fitter or more rested. That works well and is nice, but you have to keep in mind that you always have to grab your phone to see that information. Logically, the Galaxy Ring itself does not have a screen to show such details.
You should also know that there are various optical sensors that work with green or red light. This is particularly noticeable in the dark and it can therefore happen that you occasionally see a colored beam of light shining from your finger. It is not all that bright, but if you like pitch darkness, it is something to take into account.
Smart ring vs watch
Some differences with, for example, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or another smart watch have already been mentioned. There is less space for sensors and there is no screen. With the Galaxy Ring you can also not make wireless payments and there is also no vibration motor. This simply means that the ring does not let you know when an email, WhatsApp message or other notification comes in. Data is synchronized with a connected phone, but of course you can walk without a phone in your pocket. When the devices are connected again, the data is synced and you can see all insights in the Health app.
These are choices that you should definitely be aware of when choosing this device. A watch also contains a screen, so that you can see all kinds of information without having to pick up your phone. From the upcoming weather, to the time and from incoming emails and subjects to seeing who is calling you. There is also more space in a watch, so that even more types of sensors can be present. In addition, you can often pay with a smartwatch and you can adjust it by changing the straps, something that is not possible with a ring.
Finally, something to consider are the prices, because although the Galaxy Ring offers less functionality, it is often a lot more expensive than a smartwatch. This first smart ring from Samsung has a suggested retail price of 449 euros, while the brand new Watch 7 has a starting price of 319 euros and you can already pick it up from € 222.01.
Battery life and exclusive features
Samsung itself states that you can do up to seven days on a single battery charge and we easily achieved that here. All tracking was turned on and all kinds of measurements were also taken at night. Charging is only possible via the supplied box, where you click the ring into. That box is equipped with a USB-C connection and illuminated LED ring, so that you can see how full the battery of the ring actually is.
The box also has a built-in battery, so if you don’t have a cable and plug at hand, you can charge the ring an extra one and a half times. The battery of the box can also be charged wirelessly, by placing the case on a charging mat.
By the way, if you connect the Galaxy Ring to a Samsung smartphone, you can get started with various exclusive functions. For example, you can turn off an alarm or click a photo with a snap of your finger. You can also find the ring remotely if you lose it, by making the LEDs of the sensors flash. This does not work if you connect the ring to an Android smartphone from another brand, but in practice we only used these functions twice for testing.
If you use the ring in combination with a Galaxy Watch 4 or newer, then that also has a positive effect on the battery life according to the manufacturer. Various measurements are taken over by the watch. We did not test that in our test period.
Conclusion Samsung Galaxy Ring review
If you don’t normally wear a ring, it can take some getting used to suddenly doing so. It won’t be because of the weight or size, because they are perfectly fine. In terms of appearance, the Galaxy Ring is not very exciting and you have to pay close attention while wearing it, because our copy is already partly covered in mini scratches.
It is an inconspicuous gadget that is not as flashy as a watch, but also offers a lot less functionality. That makes sense because of the size, but certainly something to take into account. In addition, it is a lot more expensive than a smartwatch and that is a logical threshold for many people.
We can safely say that this first smart ring from Samsung will not be purchased by a large group of users. However, we do like that Samsung chooses to focus on this type of product and we are curious to see what the manufacturer has in store for us for the second generation.
Buy Samsung Galaxy Watch Ring here
Interested in a Galaxy Watch Ring? You can view it physically in various Coolblue and MediaMarkt stores. You can also visit the Samsung Experience stores. You can of course also visit the aforementioned points of sale online. As mentioned, the Ring is available in nine sizes and three colors.
- Samsung Galaxy Ring at Samsung
- Samsung Galaxy Ring at MediaMarkt
- Samsung Galaxy Ring at Coolblue
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Source: www.androidplanet.nl
