All articles tagged with #smart ring
A leaker claims Apple is developing a smart ring named 'iRing' to enter the growing wearables market and compete with the Oura Ring and Samsung Galaxy Ring; details are scarce, and a launch appears distant, potentially tied to Apple’s health initiatives led by Eddy Cue.
Samsung’s Galaxy Ring failed to sustain its launch hype, with tepid follow‑through and underwhelming sales, while Oura released Ring 5—smaller, more capable, and priced at $399 with a $5.99/month subscription—leveraging its longer market presence and iPhone compatibility to widen the gap, as Samsung backs off and eyeing a Galaxy Ring 2 around 2027 remains uncertain.
PCMag compares Fitbit Air and Oura Ring 4: Fitbit Air is a cheaper, longer-lasting, screenless wrist tracker with a responsive AI Health Coach and strong workout data; Oura Ring 4 offers richer sleep metrics and a jewelry-like design but at a higher price with long-term metrics; overall, Fitbit Air is deemed the better value for most users, though Oura excels for sleep.
Oura’s Ring 5 is 40% smaller than Ring 4, thanks to redesigned internals that shrink signal paths from 18 to 12 and boost LEDs for better readings across skin tones. It comes in sizes 6–13 (Ring 4 offered 4–15) and includes a charging case that can keep it powered for about a month. Hardware updates accompany Health Radar, AI-assisted guidance via Counsel Health, GLP-1 Insights, Health Records, and Live Activity on iPhone, among other features. Pre-orders are live with shipping starting June 6; pricing starts at $399 (base), $499 for additional finishes, $99 for the charging case, and a $6/month or $70/year subscription.
The Verge reviews the Oura Ring 5, a 40% smaller Ring 4 that weighs about 2–2.69 g and uses a titanium, IP68 body with stronger LEDs and six to nine days of battery life. It also debuts a redesigned charging case and a new deep rose color, with sizes 6–13 (no ceramic option). Hardware is paired with Health Radar, GLP-1 insights with lab uploads, and Brain Health Study, plus Time-based Data Deletion and third‑party heart‑rate pairing. Preorders start at $399 (black/silver) or $499 for other colors, with shipping due June 4.
Ultrahuman’s Ring Pro delivers a polished hardware and software bump—dual-core ML, 250 days storage, and a feature-rich charging case with Power Plugs—for deeper health insights, but at $479 and without a revolutionary leap over rivals like the Oura Ring 4, it feels like a strong yet non-revolutionary step in a maturing smart-ring market.
Ultrahuman unveils Ring Pro, its third-gen smart ring, with up to 15 days of battery life and 250 days of on-device health history, plus a Pro Charging Case that adds ~45 more days and stores a year of data. The ring features a redesigned heart-rate sensor, faster processor, and improved safety features. Preorders are $479, US availability is blocked due to Oura patent issues, and shipments start in March. The Jade real-time biointelligence AI platform will roll out globally, offering health insights and, in future updates, smart-home controls and services.
The Rogbid Fusion is a budget $49.99 smart ring that adds heart-rate, blood-oxygen, sleep tracking, and 100+ sports modes, with a 0.49-inch OLED display; it ships with a magnet Milanese strap but can swap in a nylon strap to wear on the wrist, and bets on about five days of battery life (eight on standby).
After four months of testing, the Oura Ring Gen 4 is considered the best smart ring for accuracy and durability, especially for sleep and stress tracking, but its bulky design and high cost, including a subscription fee, may deter some users.
Finnish health tech company Oura has raised $900 million in funding led by Fidelity, valuing it at approximately $11 billion. The company plans to use the funds for AI, product innovation, and global expansion, with recent sales surpassing 5.5 million rings and revenue expected to exceed $1 billion in 2024. Oura is also expanding into health testing services and targeting new demographics, including young women.
Tech YouTuber Daniel Rotar experienced a dangerous battery expansion in his Samsung Galaxy Ring, highlighting safety risks associated with wearable devices, which required medical removal.
Oura has launched a new ceramic collection of its smart rings, featuring four colors and a durable zirconia ceramic material, along with a new $99 charging case that can recharge the ring up to five times. The company also announced multi-ring support in the app and upcoming blood panel testing through partnerships, enhancing its health tracking capabilities. These innovations continue to strengthen Oura's position in the smart ring market, despite some controversies.
A Samsung Galaxy Ring with a swollen lithium-ion battery became stuck on a user's finger during travel, leading to a hospital visit and raising concerns about battery safety in wearable devices. Samsung is investigating the incident, which highlights the risks of battery expansion in small electronics.
Google has confirmed that it has no plans to release a Pixel Tablet 2 or a smart ring, focusing instead on smartphones, smartwatches, earbuds, and glasses, especially as foldables and smart glasses gain popularity.
The Oura Ring 4, a subtle and accurate health tracker, is now available at its first significant discount of $296.65 on Amazon for Prime Day, featuring improvements like longer battery life, a slimmer design, and advanced health metrics tracking, making it a top choice for those seeking a discreet, screen-free fitness device.