Summarizing Review of Samsung Galaxy Ring

Overview

• Testing the Galaxy Ring for a week involved resizing, usage, and existential thoughts on smart rings vs. smartwatches.
• Smart rings have been around for a while (e.g., Oura Ring from 10 years ago).
• Main advantage: wearability 24/7 due to 7-day battery life.

Design & Wearability

• Ring dimensions: 2.6 mm thick.
  • Looks close to a regular ring, though it may look bigger on smaller hands.
• Contains a small battery and basic sensors for activity tracking.
• Ideal: wear it every day and night without worrying about charging.
• Insight on health, sleep, and energy levels.
• Notable features:
  • Sensors aligned at the bottom with a notch.
  • Best worn on the index finger.
  • Orientation of sensors towards the palm for accurate readings.

Samsung Health App Integration

• Tracks calories burned, steps taken, miles covered.
• Provides an accumulated energy score out of 100.
• Comparison with Apple Watch: inconsistency noted.
  • Ring overcounts regular activity but undercounts floors climbed.
  • False heart rate readings when the ring was not being worn.

Challenges & Sizing

• Samsung’s ring sizing kit helps in choosing the right size.
  • Importance of snug fit highlighted.
  • Incorrect sizing can lead to inaccurate readings (e.g., sleep gaps).
• Experience: Initial size too big, resulted in obtaining a smaller size.

Activity Tracking

• Index finger better for vitals than the back of the wrist.
• Personal realization: Certain activities (e.g., Ultimate Frisbee, golf, weight training) not conducive to wearing rings.
• Lighter plyometric workouts were fine.
  • Auto workout detection not always accurate, particularly for lighter workouts.
• Preferred wrist-based tracking (smartwatch) for specific workout tracking.

Sleep Tracking

• Some inaccuracies noted, sleep timing off based on smart mattress readings.

Noise and Notifications

• Pro: No distractions (notifications, vibrations).
• Minimalist design: Titanium finish, available in three colors (gold, silver, matte black).

Ecosystem & Samsung-Specific Features

• Strong ecosystem integration with Samsung Galaxy phones.
  • Features: Alarm dismissal, gesture controls.
  • Galaxy Ring only pairs with Samsung Galaxy phones.

Others

• No subscription required.
• Need for a Speaker or ultra-wideband antenna for easier tracking if lost.
  • Current location functionality based on last GPS position, limited in effectiveness.
  • Personal experience: Lost smaller fitted ring.

Final Thoughts

• Not ideal for high-intensity or hand-involved activities.
• Alternative: For broader Android compatibility, might consider competitors (Oura, Ultrahuman).
• Great for simplicity and 24/7 wearability but has limitations for specific needs.

Sponsorship

• Sponsored by Eight Sleep; offers enhanced sleep tracking and cooling performance.

Conclusion

• Suitable for Samsung phone users who prioritize wearability.
• Request for feature improvements (finding the ring, avoiding phantom readings).