During several months, I vacillated on my views regarding the $400 Samsung Galaxy Ring, delaying my write-up. On a vacation in late July, I disliked it, as it offered minimal advantage on my trip, merely tracking data I wasn’t focusing on during relaxation. I stashed it in its modern transparent charger and switched to using the OnePlus Watch 2R instead.

Upon returning from extensive travels, the OnePlus Watch 2R felt burdensome. Besides the larger display I was unaccustomed to, the constant awareness demanded by this gadget on my wrist and my phone was taxing. It added to the overload, not just with jetlag considerations. I set aside the smartwatch, returning to the Galaxy Ring, which aided my rest as I adapted to an earlier sleep schedule. I haven’t removed it since.

Samsung’s debut smart ring is impressive. I’ve lost interest in wearing a smartwatch, particularly for routine exercise. The Galaxy Ring provides all necessary information: step counts, heart rate changes due to stress, and sleep quality. It logs neighborhood walks and hill hikes when craving more difficulty. Though I rely on a smartwatch for more complex activities, like pool laps or monitoring heart rate during challenging workouts. However, I find I’m seldom using the watch, as I manage adequately with just the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

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Your new favorite petite black ring 

Recently, the black Galaxy Ring sat on my left index finger for months. I cleaned hands and dishes with it on, washed faces including my daughter’s—after she doodled on it—disposed of trash, wore gloves for setting up a swing, then swung on it with the Galaxy Ring. It’s rarely taken off except for dual daily cleansing and showers. It’s like any other accessory, a routine removal similar to other jewelry, making the Galaxy Ring feel a part of me. I even paired it with a labradorite ring on my right index finger.

Offering three titanium hues—plain black, gold, and silver—the Galaxy Ring can match ordinary jewelry. If blending with typical adornments is desired, aim for one of the metallic options. The plain black can seem too techy alongside chunky stone rings. It’s already scuffed on the underside in two months, mainly where sensors reside, probably from various tasks. Expected some attrition but not this swiftly. Thankfully, it’s underneath, hence less conspicuous.

Samsung provided a size 9 ring for me. Reaching the destination became quite a journey, but it turned out to fit perfectly after all. It hasn’t felt as snug as it did the day I was initially sized for the Galaxy Ring in New York during July, and I’ve been using it throughout this warm summer. Whenever the Ring begins to constrict my finger, I place it back in its transparent charging case to recharge while I take a pause. 

The Galaxy Ring’s charging case is indeed unique. At first, I thought of the case as tacky, but its compact size is ideal for slipping into my purse on the way to the nail salon when I need to remove and dock the Ring. The case is transparent with white LED highlights, including around the charging base, showing the remaining battery life of the case and the Ring when it’s docked.  

A secondary player for health monitoring

Indeed, this is the most straightforward method to monitor health daily without overthinking. Yet, for those engaging in more rigorous activities, such as training for a marathon or improving mountain biking skills, the Galaxy Ring isn’t an equivalent replacement for a smartwatch.

For individuals who are a bit more familiar with their movements, the Galaxy Ring can aid in encouraging wellness without the physical presence of a smartwatch. Throughout the day, it records steps taken, stairs ascended, and even considers altitude if residing in a hilly region. At night, during sleep, it logs blood oxygen levels and fluctuating temperatures. It informs about snoring and frequency of bathroom visits. Additionally, it will critique the insufficient sleep and its quality to prepare for the upcoming day. 

However, the Galaxy Ring is not responsible for all this. The Samsung Health app analyzes the data the intelligent ring collects and then offers its best estimation of one’s lifestyle habits. I’m content with a casual insight into my performance, and currently, I’m gaining more from Samsung Health than when I wore the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 6. Being a ring, I’m constantly wearing it. I realize I walk more than anticipated during a sedentary office day. My sleep isn’t as restful as assumed, and whether I engage in regular exercise seems to correlate with my need for more sleep each morning.

The Galaxy Ring doesn’t offer a complete or flawless tracking experience. For example, there were recurring inconsistencies between the distance I walked measured by Samsung Health in comparison to Strava’s results. Frequently, the watch would report a shorter distance than I actually covered, and I suspect it’s due to its reliance on phone location data. Yet, Strava also accesses the same data, but it derives a more precise distance measurement from the ring. This complexity suggests opting for a conventional smartwatch if you require precise metrics. Additionally, the Galaxy Ring lacks the ability to monitor specific workouts and activities accurately. For general activities like walking, hiking, or biking, it’s suitable. However, when I took the Galaxy Ring swimming, it failed to provide any data regarding my heart rate during laps or the distance swum. Normally, such information is available through a smartwatch.

Another issue relates to the Galaxy Ring’s ability to monitor blood oxygen levels during sleep. If one moves around frequently in sleep, it may obscure the finger, resulting in lower, concerning readings. Samsung Health reported my blood oxygen hovering between 85-89% most nights, which is an alarming level that usually necessitates hospital intervention. Relying on this data may be problematic unless there is an explanation regarding the flaw in the Ring’s method of tracking blood oxygen at night. A smartwatch, with more surface area on the wrist, gathers data more effectively, and the circulation isn’t immediately restricted by the pressure of sleeping on it. 

The most bothersome aspect of using a smart ring over a smartwatch is the necessity to carry a phone for more than just day-to-day existence. I find myself bringing my phone along to play music through my headphones on a run. However, theoretically, this wouldn’t be necessary if I were to use a बर्ष атрымальные.possess a smartwatch—it often features built-in storage for transporting music conveniently without added bulk. You’ll heavily depend on the smartphone for insights regarding your everyday statistics. Each morning, instead of glimpsing at the display on my wrist, I reach for my phone to sync it with the ring to check my sleep quality. Though not a routine I boast about, I’m grabbing that device regardless to dismiss the alarm. 

The crucial factor is Samsung Health

Given that the Ring lacks a display for direct interaction, every action you undertake, from configuring the device to reviewing your stats, involves engaging with the Samsung Healthy. This application has become more advanced since its inception. I’ve been employing it to monitor my health data since I started using the Galaxy Fit smartwatch in 2019. Samsung Health also integrates seamlessly with Google Fit and Android’s Health Connect, facilitating data sharing with third parties like Strava without concerns of duplication.

One aspect I remain skeptical about is Samsung Health’s capability to guide me in forming improved habits. While it somewhat managed with the app’s Energy Score, akin to FitBit’s Daily Readiness score, I primarily relied on it as an indicator of my “health” trajectory. However, its advice, issued without considering every aspect of why my challenges exist, comes across as unfairly critical. Instead of inquiring about my well-being or if I’m dealing with an ailment—which the app is unaware of as it never asked—it blamed me for impairing my sleep, presuming I consumed alcohol or a snack before bedtime. The phrasing appears accusatory, and its inclusion in the communication is surprising.

I received the compromised sleep notification several times during the review timeline. When Samsung Health notified me for the second time, it once more blamed alcohol consumption and late-night snacking. Yet, I have mental and physical factors genuinely affecting my sleep struggles. Unfortunately, there was no option to manually input this data to integrate with other aspects.

While Samsung Health is supportive when everything is progressing well. For about three weeks of consistent walking and everyday exercise, the affirmations were uplifting and motivating about maintaining that momentum. Periodically, reminders highlighted how this lifestyle helps combat depression and anxiety. Indeed, it does! However, I’d appreciate the ability to input more about my mental health and diagnosed conditions, having them integrated with data on heart rate and blood pressure, clarifying reasons for sleep issues.

It’s anticipated that Samsung Health will become more comprehensive in the future. Presently, it provides free statistics, unlike competitors such as the Oura Ring, which, though credited with initiating the category, requires a subscription for tracking, whereas Samsung offers it freely. Future changes remain unpredictable. By then, we hope to see a smart ring that’s less alarming when reading blood oxygen levels. I assure you, I’m alright!

For those training or revamping an exercise routine seeking more detailed statistics, staying within the Samsung ecosystem is advisable. The Galaxy Ring functions optimally with a Samsung smartwatch, and some gestures are exclusive to Samsung devices. Pending our Galaxy Watch 7 review unit, it’s evident that pairing the Galaxy Ring with devices like the Pixel Watch concurrently creates conflicts. A choice is necessary to determine which wellness application to sync with Google Fit for consistent data correlation. If a Galaxy Watch is on hand, Samsung Health adeptly switches tracking responsibilities for detailed workout information.

Ideal for passive health monitoring

The Galaxy Ring ranks amongst the pricier smart rings available. It slightly exceeds the cost of economical brands like RingConn but ensures seamless data integration with other services effortlessly. For those whose priority is modus operandi in passive health monitoring, desiring a wellness-focused regime, the $400 investment is justifiable, particularly if immersed in the ecosystem. A downside, however, lies in the unsettling blood oxygen level readings, which Samsung needs to address either through algorithmic enhancement or a disclaimer. 

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