I started dabbling in smartwatches 11 years ago after the Samsung Galaxy Gear was launched in Malaysia. It was an interesting product for collecting body health data but also had issues with short battery life and software that wasn’t quite ready yet.
It’s now 2025 and Samsung is once again entering the smart ring market. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is a product that has successfully solved some of my issues with smartwatches but created some new ones. This is the full review for the Samsung Galaxy Ring.
SPECIFICATIONS
Samsung Galaxy Ring
Screen None
Processor None
Memory/Storage 8MB RAM
Operating System Supports Android 11 and above
10ATM Protection
IP68
Sensors Optical heart rate scanner, blood oxygen scanner, accelerometer, skin temperature sensor.
Bluetooth 5.4 tethering
Battery 18mAh (Size 5) – 23.5mAh (Size 13)
361 mAh (Charging pod)
Titanium construction
Price RM2099
DESIGN
The Samsung Galaxy Ring looks like a toy ring when you first see it. The promotional images on the website look more premium, especially for the Titanium Black model. This model looks like the carbon fiber ring that is often advertised on Shopee. It is also lighter than initially thought even though its body is made of titanium metal.
This is because the inside is still made of plastic and resin. Here are the PPG sensors (reads pulse and oxygen in the blood), accelerometer and skin temperature. There is no GPS, body composition, ECG and blood pressure sensors that have become standard on the Galaxy Watch.
As an owner of the Watch Ultra, I admit that the loss of this sensor is disappointing but I agree that for most people the three sensors included are more than enough. The entire ring passes the IP68 and 10ATM standards but we were told Samsung does not recommend taking it swimming.
The model I reviewed is the Titanium Silver which still looks great. My wife joked that after 13 years of marriage I only now have a ring on my hand. I admit that I don't like wearing rings but the Galaxy Ring did not cause any discomfort during the two weeks it was reviewed. The entire ring passes the IP68 and 10ATM standards but we were told that Samsung does not recommend taking it swimming.
There was no itching and it did not hinder activities. Even though it is a ring, Samsung recommends that the Galaxy Ring be worn on the index finger to support the supported finger gesture feature. During the review period, I put the Galaxy Ring on my ring finger. Gestures can still be detected without any problems and I feel that it is also more comfortable.
The Galaxy Ring is offered in sizes 5 to 15 in Malaysia. So there is a size that is compatible with almost all people's fingers in Malaysia. The battery size is 18 mAh for the 5-12 model and 23.5 mAh for the 13-15 model. Therefore, the battery life is up to 7 days and it will last longer using the storage pod and charging pod.
The charging pod is the same size as the Galaxy Buds FE, only boxy and transparent. The pod's contents can be seen without having to open it. There's a USB-C port on the back for charging. When opened, the Galaxy Ring sits in the middle, neatly tucked away in a cylinder that houses the wireless charging dock.
The Galaxy Ring supports wireless charging but only through the included pod. I tried charging it with several Qi accessories but this didn't work. Qi support is only for the charging pod.
On the inside, an LED light will show the battery charge level of the ring and also the pod, which has a 361 mAh battery. A physical button is placed on the "button" part of the storage cylinder to re-add the ring to the smartphone.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
The usage experience is very comfortable even though, as I said, I've never worn a ring before. Over the past two weeks, I've rarely taken it off my finger. When visiting relatives during Eid, the ring is used to eat rendang, ketupat and chicken curry. The Galaxy Ring's surface is easy to clean and food odors don't stick to the ring. There was no damage after washing my hands with soap and a brush. As advertised, the Galaxy Ring is indeed waterproof.
The ring also tracks my heart rate well in normal situations and while sleeping. I just noticed that the heart rate readings were a little lower than the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Which reading is more accurate? Maybe the Galaxy Ring because it fits tighter on my finger than the watch I like to wear a little loose.
The walking and running activity readings are also satisfactory. The step count is consistent with the Watch Ultra and S25 Ultra readings with a difference of only about 10 steps. I can't test the accuracy of the menstrual cycle tracking because I wasn't born with ovaries. I tried to get my wife to test it but the Galaxy Ring that was reviewed was too big for her finger. The sleep tracking is as good as the Watch Ultra and it's much more comfortable not to wear a ring than a large watch.
The finger gesture support is also very useful during Eid because it is used to control the camera. The S Pen with Bluetooth is no longer supported on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Galaxy Ring makes it easier to take pictures from a distance on Hari Raya morning.
The Galaxy Ring can be tracked if lost using the Find My Ring feature. But I feel that the lack of UWB and speakers are two mistakes from Samsung. Without UWB, finding a dropped ring is very difficult in daylight. The flashing light when Find My Ring is used is not bright enough to make it easier to find.
This may be done to preserve battery life but if Samsung is going to use a solid-state battery, hopefully both of these features can be given to the next generation Galaxy Ring.
BATTERY
Over the two weeks of reviewing the Galaxy Ring, I connected the charging pod to a power source only once. The battery can last between 5-6 days on average before the Galaxy Ring needs to be placed in the charging pod. This is much more convenient than the Watch Ultra which I have to charge every 3 days.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
1x Samsung Galaxy Ring
1x Storage/charging pod
1x USB-C to USB-C cable
1x Manual and safety book set
CONCLUSION
The Samsung Galaxy Ring is the first ring from Samsung and this debut product has some positives and some negatives. The positives are that it does last a long time before needing to be charged, tracks various body health data well, is durable, and is comfortable to wear. All of which now solves the issues that exist in smartwatches.
But it also comes with limited sensors compared to the Galaxy Watch, and is sold at a higher price. A Galaxy RIng is sold for RM2099 while the Galaxy Watch7 can be purchased for prices starting at RM1049. The Galaxy Watch can track blood pressure, ECG, read body composition, show time, give notifications and make phone calls.
The Galaxy Ring is a first-generation product that is still a niche at this point. If you really don't like wearing a watch and are more comfortable with a ring, the Galaxy Ring is a product designed specifically for your needs. Outside of these needs, the Galaxy Watch7 is a cheaper and more accurate option.
PRO
IP68 and 10 ATM waterproof
More comfortable to wear while sleeping than a smartwatch.
Good sensors for health records and intelligence.
The battery is very long-lasting compared to a watch.
The level of body data detection is quite good.
CONS
The health sensor is like a health tracker, not comparable to the Galaxy Watch.
No UWB or sound to track location if lost.
Quite expensive price for limited capabilities.