Samsung Galaxy Ring is here! With full pomp and show, it was showcased at the Unpacked 2024 event in Paris, France. Samsung pivoted into the smart ring market, one that has been dominated by Oura for quite some time now.
But how does the Galaxy Ring compare to the celebrity favorite Oura Ring?
Samsung Galaxy Ring vs Oura Ring: Specifications
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy Ring | Oura Gen3 Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.3-3.2g | 4-6g |
| Sizes | 9 sizes (5-13) | 8 sizes (6-13) |
| Sizing Kit | Yes, $10 put towards the cost of the ring | Yes, free |
| Colors | 3 colours – Black, Silver and Gold | 6 colors – Silver, Black, Stealth, Brushed Titanium, Gold, and Rose Gold |
| Dimensions | 7mm wide, 2.6mm thickness | 7.9mm width, 2.55mm thickness |
| Memory | 8MB | Up to 7 days |
| Battery Sizes | 18mAh – 25.3mAh | 15mAh – 22mAh |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 days (sizes 5-11), up to 7 days (sizes 12-13) | Up to 7 days |
| Charge Time | 80 mins | Up to 80 mins |
| Charger | Portable charging case with USB-C cable | Size-specific charger with USB-C cable |
| Vibration | No | No |
| Material | Grade 5 titanium | Titanium with PVD coating |
| Water Resistance | 100 m (10ATM, IP68) | 100 m |
| Dustproof | Yes | Yes |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 35°C | -10°C to 52°C |
| Compatible OS | Android 11.0 and above | iOS 15 and higher or Android 9.0 and higher |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 – 2 years |
| Price | $399.99 | Starting $299 |
| Subscription | Free | $5.99 USD/month |
Samsung Galaxy Ring vs Oura Ring: Features
| Features | Samsung Galaxy Ring | Oura Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate | ✅ | ✅ |
| Heart Rate Variability | ✅ | ✅ |
| Respiratory Rate | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sleep Latency | ✅ | ✅ |
| Movement During Sleep | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sleep Pattern | ✅ | ✅ |
| Snoring Analysis | ✅ | ❌ |
| Stress Tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Resilience | ❌ | ✅ |
| Skin Temperature | ✅ | ✅ |
| Find My Ring | ✅ | ✅(iOS) |
| Sleep Score | ✅ | ✅ |
| Activity and Workout Tracking | ✅ (Walking and Running) | ✅ |
| Calorie Tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Steps | ✅ | ✅ |
| Energy Score/Readiness Score | ✅ | ✅ |
| Low and High Heart Rate Alerts | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cycle tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pregnancy Insights | ❌ | ✅ |
| SpO2 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gesture Control | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cardiovascular Age (CVA) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Body Clock | ❌ | ✅ |
For those of you who got overwhelmed with data, let me give you a few pointers on which ring you should buy for yourself and why.
Grab a Samsung Ring If:
1. If You Want a Sleek Band that Doesn’t Look Like a Gadget
With Samsung launching its new ring in the market, it’s like the shiny new toy that I’ve got to test out. As much as I love the look of my Oura stacked with my jewelry, the Samsung Galaxy ring looks so much slimmer. The concave curve gives it such an interesting look, making it look nothing like a “gadget.”
Although I have gotten used to the Oura ring on my finger because of the sleek design and the fact that it’s basically weightless (I never imagined a ring lighter than the Oura), I feel that the Galaxy Ring might just be even more comfortable to wear.
Personally, I love the gold color, and I have to say the fact that Samsung kept the prices same for each color variant, makes it a star in my book already. As opposed to Oura, for which you have to pay a whopping $549 for the Jennifer Aniston look.
The concave design also leads me to believe that it might get a lot less scratches than my Oura Ring.
2. If You Don’t Want to Carry a Charging Cable While Traveling
The Samsung Galaxy Ring boasts an impressive battery life of up to 6 days for sizes 5-11 and up to 7 days for sizes 12-13. The thing I love the most is the portable charging case, which is said to hold 1.5x the charge.
The charging case also has a ring light that indicates the amount of charge the ring has. The portability aspect is great because while traveling, not only will I not have to carry a separate charger among a myriad of wires for all my other devices, but the ring, being so small, will be protected in its charging case.
3. If You Are an Android User
If you’re an iPhone user, the Samsung Galaxy Ring has no use for you. It is only compatible with Android devices that have the Samsung Health app installed with an active Samsung account.
However, the AI features provided by the Samsung Galaxy Ring won’t work on other Android devices.
So if you’re a part of the Apple cult, you’re better off with the Oura Ring.
4. If You Don’t Want to Pay a Subscription Fee
The great news is that the Galaxy Ring has no subscription cost, and the data recorded by the ring will be displayed on the Samsung Health app without any additional fee.
As opposed to Oura, which has blocked its features behind a paywall. Users need to pay a monthly subscription of $5.99 USD to access all data.
Grab an Oura Ring If:
1. You Are an iPhone User
If you are an iPhone user, you should invest in an Oura Ring. It integrates its data with Apple Health to provide a holistic view of your health.
2. You Have the Budget for A Wider Color Palette
The Heritage variant comes in four color options, and the Horizon comes in six colors and finishes. If you have the budget for a wider color palette, Oura will provide you with a better range than the Galaxy Ring, which is only available in three colors.
3. You Want to Get a Deeper Analysis of Your Menstrual Cycle
For me, nothing beats Oura’s menstrual tracking abilities. It’s scary accurate when it comes to interpreting my cycle phases and dates. I will be sure to compare the Samsung Ring to see if it can come close to my Oura, but when it comes to cycle tracking, my money’s on Oura.
4. You Want to Use a Digital Birth Control
Oura’s collaboration with Natura Cycles is something that blows my mind to this day. I imagined the future to look something like ‘The Jetsons’, but a digital birth control could never have crossed my mind.
Oura merges with Natural Cycles to help you plan or avoid pregnancies. Whatever suits your boat; or wallet.
5. You Want to Understand the Factors that Affect Your Stress
Oura’s daytime stress feature shows a graph of your stress levels throughout the day. One practice I have been following diligently is adding ‘tags’ such as coffee intake, environmental factors, and mood to understand what metrics trigger my stress.
It requires some focus and regular updates, but once you understand your triggers, it’s such a blessing to know what affects your mood and stress levels, especially for people with ADHD and anxiety.
Final Verdict
There is a new ring in town to give competition to the market giant, Oura and I am so excited for the showdown. While I do believe the Samsung Galaxy Ring will give Oura a run for its money, especially with the sleek design, my cycle tracking loyalty lies with Oura.
If you’re someone like me who loves to travel, the portable charging case with the Samsung Galaxy Ring is an incredible option. It removes the hassle of carrying charging cables. If you are an iPhone user, unfortunately, you won’t be able to use the Galaxy Ring.
Is there’s any particular feature that you want me to test out between the two? Let me know in the comments.
