I was initially excited about the Samsung Galaxy Ring. It promised a stylish, discreet way to track my health and fitness without the bulkiness of a smartwatch. However, after using it for some time, I found it to be more of a disappointment than a game-changer.
The ring is undeniably comfortable and lightweight, and the battery life is excellent, lasting for up to a week on a single charge. But when it comes to functionality, it falls short of expectations. The Galaxy Ring primarily focuses on tracking your sleep, stress levels, and heart rate. While the heart rate tracking is impressively accurate and consistent, the ‘Energy Score’ and personalized advice provided by the Samsung Health app are often vague and inaccurate. For example, despite consistently going to bed by 11pm, the app attributed my ‘excellent’ Energy score to my “consistent bedtime of 12:43am.”
Furthermore, the Galaxy Ring doesn’t offer the comprehensive workout tracking features found in many fitness trackers. It lacks GPS connectivity and struggles to accurately record run times. Samsung suggests pairing it with a Galaxy Watch for enhanced functionality, but this essentially makes the ring a secondary device, defeating the purpose of its discreet design. It also significantly increases the overall cost, as a Galaxy Watch costs approximately the same as the Galaxy Ring itself.
The Ring’s dependence on a Samsung phone for full functionality is another major drawback. You won’t get notifications for irregular heart rhythm, high and low heart rate, or sleep apnoea detection unless you have a Samsung phone. This locks users into the Samsung ecosystem, making the ring feel like a mere marketing ploy to keep users within their product range.
While the Ring does have some fun features, like a double-tap gesture for controlling your phone and a remote shutter button, these are hardly game-changers. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is a comfortable and stylish health tracker with impressive battery life. However, its limited functionality and reliance on a Samsung phone and watch make it a pricey investment for what it offers. If you’re looking for a versatile and accurate fitness tracker, you’ll find better options at a lower price. If you’re specifically seeking a discreet smart ring and have a Samsung phone and watch, the Galaxy Ring might be a good fit, but it’s definitely not a replacement for a comprehensive fitness tracker.
