When people think of wearables, smartwatches are often the first thing that comes to mind. However, 2024 was a relatively quiet year for smartwatches, with iterative updates dominating the landscape. This phenomenon is not uncommon in maturing categories – as innovation slows down, and refinement takes over.
The Birth of a New Category
Smart rings, on the other hand, are experiencing a renaissance. Although they’re not new, 2024 saw a surge in interest and innovation in this space. In January, several smart rings made an appearance at CES, hinting at a potential explosion in popularity.
The Game-Changer: Samsung’s Galaxy Ring
In February, Samsung announced the long-rumored Galaxy Ring, which sent shockwaves throughout the industry. As one of the leading players in the smartwatch space, Samsung’s foray into smart rings is significant. The Galaxy Ring can work seamlessly with Samsung’s Galaxy Watches to optimize battery life and sensor accuracy. When paired with a Z Fold 6 or a Z Flip 6, it even recognizes pinching gestures to control the phone’s camera.
While this may be seen as an attempt by Samsung to lock users into its ecosystem, one cannot deny that these innovative features are groundbreaking for smart rings.
Innovative Ideas Abound
Samsung is not alone in pushing the boundaries of what a smart ring can do. The Circular Slim and Movano’s Evie Ring have caught my attention with their unique designs and ambitious feature sets. Even Casio is getting in on the action, releasing its take on a retro low-tech smart ring.
A New Wave of Competition
The arrival of new players in the market is especially refreshing when you consider that Oura has dominated this space for the past decade. Oura’s focus on sleep tracking and recovery has led to some impressive innovations, but it’s clear that competition is driving innovation.
The company has been rapidly launching new features and exploring integrations with continuous glucose monitors. Its latest release, the fourth-gen ring, showcases its continued commitment to excellence in this space.
Challenges Ahead
While smart rings are gaining traction, they still face significant challenges. They’re expensive, requiring more precise engineering due to their small size. Fit is also a concern, as manufacturers must produce 10-12 different sizes to accommodate various finger types and seasonal swelling.
It’s uncertain whether this renaissance will continue in the year ahead. We’ll have to wait and see how Samsung’s Galaxy Ring performs in terms of sales. If it succeeds, especially as an accessory to other gadgets, you can bet that Google and Apple will take notice (despite Oura CEO Tom Hale’s claims).
The Interest is There
During my summer of wearing six smart rings, I received a plethora of questions from curious friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Some were tired of smartwatches and wanted to return to a classic Casio design. Others sought something beautiful and discreet.
A few enthusiasts were particularly interested in sleepmaxxing – the viral trend where people optimize their sleep quality. For these individuals, comfort and longevity are crucial when it comes to tracking sleep.
Conclusion
The interest is there, but will this renaissance continue? Only time will tell. One thing’s for sure: smart rings have entered a new era, with innovation and competition driving growth in this space. As we move forward into 2025, it’ll be fascinating to see how these innovative devices shape the future of wearables.
Related Articles
- We Tested Six Smart Rings, and There’s a Clear Winner: Read our review of six smart rings and discover which one stands out from the crowd.
- The Galaxy Ring Keeps You in Samsung’s Orbit: Explore the features and benefits of Samsung’s Galaxy Ring and how it can integrate with other devices.
- Oura Ring 4 Review: Still on Top — for Now: Get an in-depth look at Oura’s latest release, including its innovative features and performance.
