When people think of wearables, they often conjure up images of smartwatches. However, 2024 was a relatively quiet year for these devices, with iterative updates taking center stage. The market has matured to the point where innovation is no longer about introducing new features but rather refining existing ones. This is not the case with smart rings, which are starting to gain momentum.
The Birth of a New Category
Smart rings are not a new concept, but 2024 marked a renaissance for this category. In January, several smart rings made their debut at the CES show floor, and Samsung’s announcement of the Galaxy Ring in February sent shockwaves throughout the industry. By entering the smart ring market, Samsung has essentially opened the floodgates for other manufacturers to follow suit.
A New Wave of Innovation
The latest crop of smart rings is exciting because it brings a fresh wave of innovation to the table. The Galaxy Ring, for instance, can seamlessly integrate 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 can even recognize pinching gestures to control the phone’s camera.
Other manufacturers are also pushing the boundaries of what is possible with smart rings. The Circular Slim, for example, allows users to set silent haptic alarms and interact with an in-app AI chatbot. Movano’s Evie Ring has caught attention for its distinctive open-gap design and ambitious pursuit of FDA clearance for its metrics.
A New Player Joins the Fray
Casio is also joining the smart ring party with its take on a retro, low-tech approach to wearables. This new era of innovation is refreshing, especially considering that Oura has dominated the market for the past decade. Oura primarily focuses on sleep tracking and recovery, which means that smart rings have largely been relegated to being health trackers.
However, this could be changing with the rise of new players in the market. The interest in smart rings is palpable, as evidenced by the numerous questions I fielded from friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances while testing six different smart rings over the summer.
A Challenging Market
While the renaissance of smart rings is exciting, it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. Smart rings are expensive compared to similarly priced smartwatches and don’t offer as much functionality. They’re also notoriously difficult to design due to their small size, which requires even smaller components.
Additionally, fit can be a significant issue with smart rings. Manufacturers need to produce multiple sizes (around 10-12) to accommodate various finger sizes, as well as seasonal swelling. This makes it more challenging for companies to get the product right compared to smartwatches or fitness bands.
The Future of Smart Rings
It’s unclear whether this renaissance will continue into the next year. We don’t know how Samsung’s Galaxy Ring is performing in terms of sales, and if it does well, especially as an accessory to other gadgets, you can bet that Google and Apple will take notice (despite Oura CEO Tom Hale’s assertion that Apple won’t dip its toes into the smart ring space).
What I do know is that during my summer of testing six smart rings, I witnessed firsthand the interest in this emerging category. Some people were looking for a more discreet alternative to smartwatches, while others wanted something comfortable and long-lasting to track their sleep.
Conclusion
The rise of smart rings is an exciting development in the world of wearables. With new players entering the market and innovative features being introduced, it’s clear that this category is here to stay. However, challenges lie ahead, including cost, design complexity, and fit issues.
As we look to the future, one thing is certain: the interest in smart rings is real, and manufacturers will need to adapt quickly to meet the demands of consumers. Whether this renaissance continues or we return to Oura being the only game in town remains to be seen.
