Skip to main content

The Oura Ring may get a fierce new competitor in January 2024

A person holding the Ultrahuman Ring Air and the Oura Ring.
Ultrahuman Ring Air (left) and the Oura Ring Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Smartwatches have become a popular way to track personal health stats in real time. However, some people don’t like wearing an Apple Watch Series 8 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 all day and night. That’s why devices like the Oura Ring have caught the attention of some users. Now, it looks like a new smart ring could be launched at the beginning of next year, and its release could be significant — if only because of which company might release it.

Early next year, Samsung is expected to announce the Samsung Galaxy S24 series of phones. At the same event, it could also introduce a Galaxy Ring. The possible news comes from the Chinese-based tipster Ice Universe. Although there have been previous rumors about a Samsung fitness ring product, this is the first time its release date has been suggested to be just a few months away.

Smart rings have similar functions to those of smartwatches. For example, the Oura Ring Generation 3 provides activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and sleep analysis. However, smart rings are less invasive than smartwatches because of their compact size and the fact that they do not constantly bombard you with notifications.

A close look at the Oura Ring's main sensors.
The main sensor inside the Oura Ring Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Naturally, despite the similarities, smart rings are far behind smartwatches in terms of sales. Sales are supposed to grow significantly in the coming years. According to a previous report, the growth rate of the smart ring market is expected to be over 25% per year from 2023 onward, and it is anticipated to reach a market value of $747.41 million. And a lot of research shows smart rings have tremendous benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked.

For example, a scientific study published in Sleep concluded that wearables like the Oura Ring could be used to develop sleep-wake models, matching the performance of existing research devices. Meanwhile, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a report showing the benefits of wearables such as the Oura Ring. The report suggested that with some modifications, these wearables could help certified medical personnel deliver critical care like CPR to people in emergencies.

Overall, the world of wearable technology is rapidly evolving, and it’s exciting to see what new features and designs will be released in the future.

The features of a Samsung Galaxy Ring are yet to be determined. However, it will probably have similar health-tracking capabilities to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, which was released earlier this year. It will be exciting to see how competitors like Apple respond to Samsung’s entry into the market. Apple has already released several versions of its smartwatch, the Apple Watch, and it will be interesting to see how it will continue to innovate and improve its products to stay ahead of the competition. Could an Apple Ring be far behind?

Samsung typically holds Galaxy Unpacked events early in the year for phone launches, so we may see the first Galaxy Ring release in a few months. Stay tuned.

Bryan M. Wolfe
Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.
Your Oura Ring will soon make it easier to track your heart health
The side of the Oura Ring smart ring.

Oura will soon release two new heart-monitoring tools that will benefit all Oura Ring users. The tools will be available through a firmware update before the end of May, and they both focus on your heart health.

The first new tool will measure a user's cardiovascular age and compare it to their chronological age. The goal is to help users identify behaviors that can positively impact their health plan.

Read more
One of the biggest Oura Ring competitors just did something huge
The Ultrahuman Ring Air and the Oura Ring, resting on a table.

Ultrahuman, the maker of the Ultrahuman Ring Air, is making its way to U.S. production grounds. The company is setting up a production facility in Indiana, which will mark the first time a smart ring from Ultrahuman will be assembled from scratch on U.S. soil.

“The UltraFactory will offer an end-to-end production capability and is based on the company’s first operational model of such a facility in India,” the company says.

Read more
Is the Oura Ring waterproof?
The Oura Ring Horizon resting on a green succulent plant.

The Oura Ring is a highly sought-after wearable device available in different styles and price ranges. It allows users to track their sleep and recovery, stress levels, illnesses, and fitness routines -- and it even provides features specific to women's health. With so many features,  you might wonder whether the watch is waterproof. Let's find out.
Is the Oura Ring waterproof?
Technically, the Oura Ring is not waterproof. Instead, it's water-resistant up to 330 feet (100 meters). This is the case for most modern gadgets. You'll often find water resistance protection on products, which is good, but it's not exactly the same as being waterproof. But what does that really mean? We explain below.
Can you go swimming with the Oura Ring?
The Oura Ring has a certain level of protection that allows you to wear it while swimming, showering, and snorkeling. However, wearing the Oura Ring during scuba diving or when there is a risk of extended water submersion or extreme pressure is not advisable. Oura recommends avoiding wearing the ring in such scenarios to ensure its longevity and proper functioning.

Oura further explains: "The Oura Ring operating temperature ranges from [-10 to 52 degrees Celsius and 14 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit]. You can safely wear your ring in the shower, hot tubs, saunas, ice baths, and cryotherapy tanks. However, extended exposure to extreme temperatures (below 0°C/32°F or above 35°C/95°F) may lead to battery damage."
How does this compare to other smart rings?
Of Oura's chief competitors, only the Ultrahuman Ring Air provides similar water resistance. By contrast, the Amovan Smart Ring only provides water resistance up to 50 meters. The Oura Ring offers the same level of protection as the Apple Watch Ultra, making it an excellent alternative to smartwatches. However, it surpasses the Apple Watch Series 2 or later and the Google Pixel Watch 2, which can only resist water up to 50 meters.

Read more