The Samsung Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch 7, despite being worn in different ways, offer surprisingly similar features. Both devices excel at health and fitness tracking, seamlessly integrate with your smartphone, and boast comfortable designs. However, each caters to specific needs, making a careful comparison crucial before purchasing.
Hardware and Design
The Galaxy Ring is crafted from titanium, coming in Black, Silver, and Gold finishes. Sizes range from five to 13, with free sizing kits available. The Galaxy Watch 7, on the other hand, is made from armor aluminum and features a display. It comes in 40mm or 44mm models, with a larger Galaxy Watch Ultra option for those who prefer a bigger size. The Galaxy Watch 7 boasts a Super AMOLED display protected by Sapphire Glass, offering varying resolutions depending on the watch size but maintaining a similar pixels-per-inch ratio.
Sensors, Health Tracking, and Interface
Both devices rely on the Samsung Health app for data analysis and are incompatible with non-Android devices like iPhones. The Galaxy Ring focuses on discreetly monitoring essential health metrics. It features Auto Workout Detection, automatically tracking walks, runs, and other activities. The Ring also calculates an Energy Score, using AI to analyze health metrics like sleep information, activity levels, and heart rate variability, providing a score up to 100 that reflects how your body should be feeling. Additionally, it tracks blood oxygen levels and skin temperature, proving useful for menstrual cycle tracking.
The Galaxy Watch 7 expands upon the Galaxy Ring’s features, offering a comprehensive wellness suite. Like the Apple Watch series, it provides blood pressure monitoring (in select regions), heart health tracking, body composition analysis, menstrual cycle predictions, and fitness coaching. With over 90 activity tracking capabilities, it surpasses the Ring’s fitness offerings. Furthermore, the Galaxy Watch 7 includes FDA-approved sleep apnea monitoring, using AI to analyze blood oxygen levels, heart rate variability, and breathing patterns to identify potential moderate to severe sleep apnea. It also calculates an AGEs index, a metric indicating how your body is aging based on diet, activity, and other factors. While the Galaxy Ring lacks a display, the Galaxy Watch 7 offers at-a-glance information and workout initiation directly from the watch.
Battery Life and Durability
Smart rings, including the Galaxy Ring and the Oura, possess a significant battery life advantage over smartwatches. Samsung claims the Galaxy Ring can last up to a week on a single charge, while the Galaxy Watch 7 typically lasts around 60 hours under normal conditions. Both devices boast impressive durability. The Galaxy Ring withstands depths of up to 100 meters underwater and is dust-tight, making it ideal for swimmers and those seeking extended battery life. The Galaxy Watch 7, while capable of surviving up to 50 meters underwater and dust-tight, balances durability with everyday functionality.
Price and Availability
The Galaxy Ring is available in three titanium frames (black, gold, and silver) at $400 each. The Galaxy Watch 7 starts at $300 for the 40mm Bluetooth/WiFi model and $330 for the 44mm model. Adding 4G LTE increases the price to $350 and $380, respectively. The 40mm version comes in green and cream, while the 44mm version is available in green and silver. You can also customize the watch with various band types.
Which Should You Buy?
The Samsung Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch 7 cater to different users with unique needs and preferences. The key decision lies in choosing between wearing a ring or a watch. If you have a strong preference, the choice is straightforward. However, if you’re unsure, delve into the features offered by each device.
The Galaxy Watch 7 offers extensive wellness and fitness information through the Samsung Health app. The Galaxy Ring, while providing less detailed information, excels in sleep tracking, general fitness tracking, and overall wellness monitoring. If you already own a smartwatch, the Galaxy Ring might not be compelling due to its limited feature set. However, if you’re new to smart wearables, not heavily involved in sports, and seeking basic wellness tracking, the Galaxy Ring could be a suitable option. For those desiring comprehensive features, a cheaper price point, or simply a watch over a ring, the Galaxy Watch 7 is the better choice. Ultimately, the best option depends on your specific needs and preferences.
