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More tech companies will be trying to put a ring on your finger after the world’s largest smartphone maker unveiled its smallest wearable device.
Samsung showed off its highly anticipated smart ring at a launch event in Paris this week, with the Galaxy Ring device designed to track wearers’ heart rate, breathing, workouts and sleep.
But Australians will have to wait longer to access the device, and experts warn it may not replace a smartwatch for some, but simply complement it to get a more complete picture of their health.
Smart ring technology has been available for more than a decade, and data firm ABI estimates that more than 18.9 million devices were sold last year, with that number expected to reach more than 50 million by 2028.
But Samsung is the first tech giant to invest in this technology and will compete with market pioneers such as Oura and Ultrahuman.
Matthew Wiggins, Samsung’s director of digital health development, announced the launch of the ring at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, telling the audience that the device would have a titanium body, a seven-day battery life and three health sensors.
“This is the pinnacle of non-intrusive health technology,” Dr. Wiggins said.
“Designed to be worn 24/7, the Galaxy Ring is lightweight and comfortable to help you track your health throughout the day and night – a true revolution in sleep monitoring.”
The ring sensors measure the wearer’s heart rate, breathing and movement and transmit the data to a connected phone, allowing the artificial intelligence software to create a wellness score.
The Samsung device will compete with second- and third-generation devices like the Ultrahuman Ring Air and Oura Ring, but unlike those models, it won’t come with an ongoing subscription.
A study of the latest Oura device, published in the journal Sleep Medicine in March, found that its sleep-tracking technology was accurate and that the device’s results did not differ significantly from polysomnography tests.
Telsyte CEO Foad Fadaghi says smart rings could be popular in Australia, where wearable technology adoption is high. However, a ring may not replace a smartwatch for all users.
“This could be useful for things like sleep tracking, where people might not feel comfortable wearing a bulky watch to bed, and for people who don’t want to have another screen,” he said.
“It will be a more specific health device, as opposed to a generalized computer on the arm.”
But Australians will have to wait longer than other consumers to get their hands on the device, as an official launch date has yet to be announced.
The Galaxy Ring, which retails for $399, is set to arrive in the US on July 24.
Samsung Australia’s head of mobile experiences Eric Chou told AAP the company was committed to bringing the smart ring to Australia, with a launch planned for later this year.
The journalist visited France as a guest of Samsung Australia.
With AAP.