What you need to know

• The RingConn Gen 3 tracks long-term vascular health trends, analyzing workout recovery and circadian rhythms rather than just giving you a one-off heart rate reading.
• You still get full-day health tracking, including heart rate, SpO2, stress, sleep stages, skin temperature, and sleep apnea monitoring.
• Preorders are open until May 28 for $314, after which the price jumps to $349.

Smart rings are evolving past simple sleep tracking and step counting, and RingConn aims to take things further with its latest device. Preorders are now open for the RingConn Gen 3, which highlights vascular health tracking and also brings improved alerts, longer battery life, and a sleeker design.

This year’s main update is what RingConn calls vascular insights. While most wearables offer single blood pressure readings, the Gen 3 tracks long-term vascular trends. It considers things like sleep breathing, changes in circadian rhythm, recovery after workouts, and daily physiological stability to give users a more complete view of their cardiovascular health over time.

Besides vascular monitoring, the Gen 3 offers the standard health tracking features found in premium smart rings. It tracks heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep stages, stress, breathing rate, activity, and skin temperature around the clock. There’s also menstrual cycle tracking and fertility insights for women’s health. Sleep apnea monitoring is back too, which RingConn has emphasized in earlier models, like the RingConn Gen 2.

Gentle vibrations replace wrist flickers

A practical new feature is vibration alerts. The Gen 3 uses gentle haptic nudges for inactivity reminders, health alerts, and low battery warnings, as opposed to lighting up your wrist like a smartwatch. RingConn says these alerts are meant to be quiet enough for meetings or conversations without drawing much attention.

Battery life is another strong point. RingConn says the Gen 3 lasts 11 to 14 days per charge if you turn off vibrations, or about 10 to 12 days with haptics on. That’s longer than many other smart rings, even some high-end ones that need charging every few days.

The hardware has also been improved. The Gen 3 is made from titanium, has a slimmer 2.3mm profile, and weighs between 2.5g and 3.5g depending on the size. It’s rated IP68 and 10ATM for water resistance, so you can wear it while swimming, showering, or sleeping. New color options include Brushed Silver, Brushed Rose Gold, Future Silver, Royal Gold, and Matte Black.

RingConn says preorders are open until May 28, and shipments begin on May 29. The smart ring costs $314 during pre-orders, then goes up to $349 at retail. As with earlier RingConn devices, there’s no subscription fee, which is still a major advantage over competitors like the Oura Ring 4.

It can admittedly be tough to find a good smart ring deal, especially if you're looking for some of the top models on the market. Right now, however, Amazon is offering the RingConn Gen 2 smart ring for 20% off, which marks a solid $60 off what is one of our favorite smart ring models.

The Gen 2 RingConn made waves upon its release, especially due to its high-quality sleep apnea and other health tracking features, a battery life of nearly two weeks, and it's user-friendly app experience, all offering a well-rounded smart device. It also features a charging case, which isn't true of every smart ring, and it's designed with comfort and traditional ring style in mind. You can also get RingConn covers for added design customizability, along with featuring water and dust resistance, sizes 6 through 14, and a few different color options.

This particular discount is currently only available in the ring's royal gold and future silver colors. Additionally, the RingConn lineup has the benefit of not requiring users to pay for a monthly subscription, unlike those from Oura and other companies.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a smart ring that won't require you to pay a monthly subscription for feature access; you want a smart ring that has an easy to use mobile app for monitoring health tracking options, as well as access to widgets that can be added to your homescreen for swift access and details; you want something that can help track your sleep, heart rate, stress levels, and a range of other details for workouts and more.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't care about sleep apnea tracking or not needing a monthly subscription, and you'd rather go with the Oura Ring 4 over the RingConn Gen 2; you'd prefer a smart ring that doesn't have a bulky charging case included; step counting is a major priority for you and you need a smart ring that offers industry-leading accuracy for that particular measurement.

The RingConn Gen 2 is one of the best smart rings out there, and there a number of reasons why. RingConn says the model can get up to 12 days of battery life, while it's also one of the few available today that doesn't require a monthly subscription. Plus, it comes with sleep apnea tracking, a good price point even before the discount, and a subtle, stylish design that looks just like a traditional wedding band from the exterior.

Have you (or your alternate personality) been coveting a smart ring, but find most smart rings are too expensive or owned by thieving Bagginses? Rather than pay a dragon's hoard worth of money on an Oura Ring, try the excellent RingConn Gen 1 as a budget alternative: It's currently over 40% off via this Cyber Monday lightning deal, which may not last through the day!

My fellow nerds on staff have joked several times about smart rings being "Rings of Power," and our ring-collecting managing editor titled his Oura Ring 4 review the "lord of the smart rings." But Oura's latest ring is full-priced, while the solid last-gen Oura Ring 3 is 20% off but costs more upfront (especially in gold) and has a mandatory $6/month subscription that adds up.

On our best smart rings list, the RingConn Gen 1 claimed our "best value" spot because of its affordable, subscription-free cost, comfortably light squircle design, reliable results, and consistent 7-day battery life. It may not be the "One Ring to Rule Them All™," but it's certainly got its smart tricks.

The RingConn Gen 2 is even better, lasting an impressive 10–12 days per charge so it's easy to slip on and forget about. Unfortunately, it seems to be available solely through RingConn's own site, with a tiny $15-off coupon for Cyber Monday ($285 total).

Of the other great smart ring options we've tested, my personal favorite (the Ultrahuman Ring Air) is only 15% off ($296), while the Samsung Galaxy Ring is full-priced ($399) with a $50 gift card. As much as I'd like to recommend Ultrahuman, it's hard to turn down saving an extra $137 for most of the same health data.

The Amazfit Helio Ring is only $149 (25% off), beating RingConn's price slightly, but we're not quite as impressed with that smart ring. It's actually the best smart ring for HR accuracy, but its short battery life and limited sizes make it harder to recommend. Still, it's worth considering if you have the right ring size!

With all that context, it's clear that the RingConn Smart Ring is a real bargain at $159, shipping in three colors (Midnight Black, Moonlight Silver, Pale Gold) and seven sizes from 8–14. It's unfortunately not available in smaller sizes, so those with smaller hands may have to look at alternate brands like Ultrahuman or Oura.

Grab this Cyber Monday smart ring deal while it's still available! And Gollum/ Smeagol, if you're reading this, maybe try wearing this new precious instead of hunting those evil hobbitses into Mordor!

Oura was the company that helped ignite the smart ring segment, and today we have many others that have joined the fold, including Samsung. Its biggest rival though has got to be RingConn which offers a very compelling product. If you're trying to decide between the newly launched Oura Ring 4 vs. RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring, you've come to the right place. 

Oura has brought some big changes with the ring 4 like a sleeker design with a more durable finish, more sizes, and a new sensing platform that promises to capture more accurate health data no matter how you wear the ring. It could very well be a great alternative to buying the best fitness tracker.

RingConn's Gen 2 Smart Ring has equally impressive specs and features, including the ability to detect sleep apnea. It's also cheaper than the Oura Ring 4 which potentially makes it more attractive to first-time smart ring buyers. Let's break down all the differences between the two so you can better decide which would be right for you.

Oura Ring 4 vs. RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: Design and pricing

The Oura Ring 4 starts shipping from October 15, starting at $349. This price is only for the Silver and Black colors. The Brushed Silver and Stealth finishes cost $399, while the Gold and Rose Gold finishes are $499. Unlike the Oura Ring Gen 3, the Ring 4 comes in a single style. You get a one-month membership for free at the time of purchase, after which you'll have to pay $5.99 a month or $69.99 a year for U.S. members. 

The idea of having to pay more to access detailed reports and analysis of your own health data after already paying a premium upfront for the device is not something I'm thrilled about, and I'm sure many others would feel the same. 

The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring has a much more palatable starting price of $299, irrespective of the color choice. You only get three finishes though like Future Silver, Matte Black, and Royal Gold. The biggest advantage of RingConn is that you have access to all data that's monitored, forever, as nothing is hidden behind any subscription.

There's not a lot of flexibility to differentiate your product from others when designing a smart ring and so, on the surface, the Oura Ring 4 and the RingConn Gen 2 look quite similar. However examine them closer or try them on, and you might notice some big differences. The Oura Ring 4 gets a fully circular design with new recessed interior sensors at just 0.3mm, which means you won't feel any bumps when you wear it. This should make it a lot more comfortable to wear while carrying heavy items like dumbbells or grocery bags.

It also gets full titanium layering on the outside and interiors too. The ring 4 now comes in sizes from four to 15, and it has a thickness of around 2.8mm. Depending on the size, it can feel a bit heavy as the weight ranges from 3.3g to 5.2g. It has full water resistance up to a depth of 100m and can be used in a sauna and other water sports, but not diving.

The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring has a mostly circular design too, but the interiors have two protruding divots for the LED sensors and a flat base between them. While this looks like it could be uncomfortable to wear, we found it to be the opposite when we reviewed the Gen 2 Smart Ring. RingConn uses a titanium alloy for the exterior and a medical-grade epoxy for the interior of the ring. The glossy silver model that we tested held up well against scuffs and scratches with everyday use.

Oura Ring 4 vs. RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: Features and specs

The Oura Ring 4 and the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring promise medical-grade accuracy in readings thanks to finely tuned sensors. Both smart rings can do continuous heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, activity monitoring, stress analysis, and cycle tracking for women. Without a subscription to Oura, the app will only show you sleep, readiness, and activity scores. With an active subscription though, you'll have access to more detailed reports about your sleep, 24/7 heart rate tracking, SpO2 sensing, VO2 Max readings, cycle insights, automatic activity detection, and much more. These reports are vital if you truly wish to make healthy lifestyle changes, but you'll need to pay extra to get it.

On the flip side, the RingConn Gen 2 offers most of these premium features for free, since there's no subscription involved. It goes a step further and even has continuous sleep apnea monitoring. The latter feature did take a big bite out of the ring's battery life when we tested it, which is something to keep in mind. Smart rings are also not the best for step tracking, although they are getting better. For best accuracy, it's better to rely on a wrist-based fitness tracker instead.

One area where the Oura Ring 4 has an advantage is its automatic activity detection and tracking for certain exercises. This is a premium feature but it makes tracking exercises seamless. Unfortunately, any kind of exercise tracking on the RingConn needs to be manually activated, which is just unnecessary added steps.

One big advantage of the smart rings is the incredible battery life you get compared to any smartwatch. Since there's no screen to power or LTE network to connect to, a week's worth of runtime on one charge is not uncommon to see. The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring lasts for 10 to 12 days on one charge, which is incredible. You might see a drop if you do sleep apnea tracking, but it should still be more than a week before you'll need to charge it again. The best part is the charging case that comes with it can easily charge the ring no matter where you are, thanks to the built-in 500mAh battery. There's also an optional charging dock which can be bought separately. 

The Oura Ring 4 can go for up to eight days (claimed time) on one charge, which is less than RingConn but an improvement over the Ring Gen 3. Sadly, you don't get a convenient charging case with it but a charging dock with a Type-C to Type-C cable. This means you'll need to plug it into a power bank or your laptop in order to charge it.

Oura Ring 4 vs. RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: App integration

We absolutely loved the app experience of the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring. Information is laid out in an easy-to-read manner and there are only three main tabs to cycle through, making it easy to navigate. The app also has a great set of widgets on Android, which we found very useful. The Gen 2 is also compatible with iPhone and integrates with Apple Health. On Android though, we only noticed that it worked with Google Fit and not Health Connect, at the time of our review anyway.

With the launch of the Oura Ring 4, the company also released a redesigned app which is supposed to make navigation a lot easier. This is a welcomed improvement since the app was pretty crowded given the amount of metrics the ring tracks. The new app will have three main views: Today, Vitals, and My Health, so you can quickly jump to the data you need. A neat addition is the Timeline view in the Today tab which gives you a glanceable snapshot of how you've fared in the day so far. Oura's Labs feature is also finally coming to Android. This includes an AI-powered advisor to help interpret the wearer's health data.

Oura Ring 4 vs. RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: Which should you buy?

We're yet to test the Oura Ring 4 and we have little doubt about the company's ability to deliver on the promised features, especially considering how well the Gen 3 ring performed. But going the Oura route means a committed monthly investment for the subscription if you want to make any sense of all the data it collects. It's also quite expensive for casual users as prices can go as high as $499 for the premium trims.

The majority of users should find the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring a good enough alternative, and it's the one I'd recommend to most. It's more affordable than Oura, there are no subscription fees to get detailed reports and analysis of your data, and it has an amazingly good battery life which even trumps the Ring 4's claimed number.

You'll have to compromise in some places like manually tracking workouts. The sleep apnea feature can drain the battery a fair bit, even though that's one of its unique features. Overall, with a great app experience, durable design, and handy charge-on-the-go case, the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring is truly the one ring to rule them all.

I've been reviewing smart rings for some time now, and while the tech is still relatively new, I've been impressed so far with most of the products. That's why I'm happy to see that some of the best smart rings are on sale for Prime Day.

Of course, the Oura Ring Gen 3 is the ring that pretty much started it all, and while the newer Oura Ring 4 is available for preorder, its predecessor is still very impressive and worth buying while it's on sale and still in stock. But that's not the only smart ring on sale, and if you'd rather avoid paying a subscription, there are plenty options available at a discount for Prime Day.

•  See all the October Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India

✅Recommended if: You want a low-key smart ring with great battery life, tons of insights, and automatic activity tracking.

❌Skip this deal if: You won't want to commit to a monthly subscription to access most useful features.

✅Recommended if: You want a smart ring that doesn't require a subscription but still provides long battery life and good daily insights into your health.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a ring that can automatically detect workouts and that works with Android Health Connect to sync data.

✅Recommended if: You want something that has a comfortable fit and can track sleep without requiring a subscription for any features.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a smart ring with accurate step and fitness tracking and an easy-to-use app.

✅Recommended if: You use Amazfit smartwatches and are able to fit the select few available sizes.

❌Skip this deal if: You don't use an Amazfit smartwatch or don't fit the available sizes. Also if you want a smart ring with good battery life.

If you're in the market for a fitness-tracking wearable, smart rings are a good choice, but if they're not for you, you might also want to look into a smartwatch. Fortunately, there are still some compelling smartwatch Prime Day deals you can take advantage of before the sales event ends.

It hasn't been that long since I reviewed the original RingConn Smart Ring, but the company is already out with the second generation, which improves on the first in some key ways. This new RingConn Gen 2 has battery life that bests just about any other smart ring on the market and even rivals some fitness smartwatches. Plus, it has a really useful sleep monitoring feature that you won't find on too many devices, hoping it stands apart from the pack. 

But compared to smart ring giants like Oura and Samsung, can RingConn carve a sizeable piece of the smart ring pie, or will its efforts go unnoticed by consumers? Either way, the company has a compelling device that somehow improves on its already impressive first-gen smart ring, and some other companies in the smart ring race should probably look to this latest RingConn model as something of a standard for their own efforts.

RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: Price and availability

The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring is currently available for preorder via Kickstarter and goes on sale in September via the company's website. The device will likely retail for $299, only $20 more than the previous model, and come in three different color options: Future Silver (glossy), Royal Gold (glossy), and Matte Black (matte).

If you preorder on Kickstarter, you're able to grab the ring for as low as $209, depending on the pledge you choose, each of which come with different perks.

RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: What I like

The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring is identical to the first model, and that's definitely not a bad thing. I was really impressed with how RingConn designed its smart ring, which is more of a squircle shape than an actual circle.

Like other smart ring models, the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring comes in a few different finishes, about the same as what Samsung offers, with gold, silver, and black options. I have the silver model with a fairly glossy finish, which I'm normally wary about, given how my Oura Ring scratches pretty easily, even when I put a cover on it. But the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring has fared surprisingly well, and I haven't noticed much in the way of scuffs or scratches in the couple of weeks that I've tested the device. As careful as I try to be with my Oura Ring, it's somehow a magnet for scratches no matter what I do. 

Of course, all the sensors are located on the inside. While this mostly follows the exterior squircle design, the bottom has a flat surface where you'll find many of the main sensors. This looks like it would make the ring uncomfortable to wear, but surprisingly, it doesn't. 

RingConn says the Gen 2 Smart Ring is both thinner and lighter than the first generation, which is surprising given the battery life claims of this device. Speaking of, the ring lasts 10 to 12 days on a single charge, which is more than what Samsung or Oura claim for their smart rings. In my use, I would say this is pretty accurate. I'm honestly surprised to see how little battery life is used up at the end of the day, even when tracking workouts. Of course, your battery life will depend on the ways that you use the ring, including how often you track workouts and take advantage of the ring's newest feature, which I'll get to in a bit.

And just like the first generation, the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring comes with a charging case, which makes it fairly convenient to carry around as opposed to a charging dock that needs to be plugged in. The case has a 500mAh battery that you can charge separately, and RingConn even has a separate charging dock you can purchase separately, which has cool light indicators to show you the battery level of the ring.

Another thing you can purchase for the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring is a cover, which is surprisingly uncommon for smart ring manufacturers to offer. Even Samsung doesn't have one for the Galaxy Ring, which I find odd, so I commend RingConn for thinking of this. There are times when I will take off the ring, but I prefer to keep it on because I have a tendency to lose them easily. Therefore, having a cover makes it easier to handle things without worrying too much about damaging the ring. 

Aside from the actual ring, the app experience is also fantastic. While it doesn't offer everything I'd want in a smart ring app, it has a great layout that makes information very easy to view at a glance. There are only three tabs, so it's very easy to navigate.

Nowhere in the app will you find an option for a subscription, unlike some other companies that pretty much require it for their most useful functions/insights, or will hide it and surprise you with a "subscribe to use this" banner when you want to check out a certain future.

Widgets are also a nice touch and something I'd like to see from more smart ring manufacturers.

RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: Health tracking

When it comes to fitness and health tracking, The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring covers the basics that you'd find on just about any other smart ring. The ring tracks your heart rate, sleep, blood, oxygen levels, stress, and even your skin temperature. This is pretty much par for the course on a smart ring, and as far as I can tell, the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring does pretty well that much of it. You can dive into each metric in the app to view detailed data on your sleep, heart rate, etc., and your trends for each metric.

You can also track several different workouts, such as outdoor running, indoor running, outdoor cycling, and outdoor walking. Smart rings aren't exactly known to have extensive exercise/sports modes, although RingConn says it's working on bringing more diverse options to the app.

You won't get a readiness score like you'll find with Samsung and Oura, but you get a more graphical representation of essentially the same thing. The app will show you a graph of your sleep, vital signs, activity, and stress management and how they compare to the previous day. I honestly think I might like this better. It'll also tell you which areas you can improve on and how you can improve them, and you can dive more deeply into the scores for each individual metric.

For example, with sleep, you get a sleep score, which factors in all the variables such as your sleep efficiency, your time asleep, and more. I like that it also shows you the optimal intervals for your sleep stages and where you fall short. Unfortunately, there have been a few times when I've taken a random nap during the middle of the day, and the app won't log it, even though there's a section in the sleep metrics dedicated to naps. I can always add them after the fact, but I rarely remember when I fell asleep or woke up since I'm not scrambling to log my nap immediately after waking up.

Smart rings are getting better at counting your steps, although no device is perfect. The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring is kind of hit or miss in this area. There are times when I found its steps to match closely with my Garmin Venu 3, for example, but then there are other times when the Gen 2 Smart Ring is way off. I haven't noticed much in the way of phantom steps where it'll somehow calculate that I've taken thousands of steps while I've been mostly sedentary, but when I am out and about, sometimes it'll under or over-calculate the steps I've taken.

You can see some of the results in our recent smart ring step test, in which I wore a few different rings and two smartwatches while walking 5,000 steps. The RingConn performed pretty poorly in these specific tests, but again, I found that there are times when the steps closely match those of my Garmin smartwatch, which does a pretty good job tracking my steps.

Still, I find you should take smart ring step counts with a grain of salt.

Then there's the newest feature on the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: sleep apnea monitoring. For the uninformed, sleep apnea is a disorder that may cause you to stop breathing while you sleep, which is not good for some pretty obvious reasons but can severely disrupt your sleep and ultimately lead to some serious health conditions.

RingConn claims that the Gen 2 Smart Ring is the first smart ring to detect sleep apnea. It does this by using an AI-advanced OSA detection model to pinpoint moments when there are interruptions in airflow and decreases in blood oxygen levels while you sleep. According to RingConn, its model is 90% accurate, although the company is awaiting FDA approval.

It's an interesting feature that you have to manually enable before you go to sleep to ensure that the app remains active. When you wake up, you stop the monitoring, and the app analyzes the information, displaying the results on an AHI index bar. This will show you the number of apneas or hypopneas per hour during sleep, as well as the total number of events during the monitoring duration.

I didn't suspect I suffered from sleep apnea, and the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring assures me that I have nothing to worry about. However, while RingConn notes that this feature is not a diagnostic tool and that you should seek medical attention if you feel unwell, I can see how this feature can help people who may suspect they suffer from sleep apnea or are trying to improve what has already been diagnosed.

Android Central's senior editor, Andrew Myrick, discovered that he himself might suffer from sleep apnea, which is why he was so excited to see this feature arrive on the recently released Galaxy Watch models. However, not everyone enjoys wearing smartwatches to bed, so something like the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring would be ideal in a situation like this.  

RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: What I don't like

The sleep apnea feature is pretty cool, but there are some downsides. Firstly, it won't start automatically; as I mentioned, you must start and stop the feature manually. I don't know about you, but when I'm tired, I can barely remember to charge my phone, let alone open an app and tell it to start monitoring for a specific condition. I'm sure if you suspect you suffer from it or you know you do, you might be a little more inclined to remember, but I kind of wish there was an option for this to happen automatically once the ring detects you're asleep like an automatic option that you can toggle on or off. 

But the second downside, which is why I can see how my suggestion may or may not work, is that sleep apnea monitoring drains the battery by quite a bit. And not just from the ring, but from your phone as well. On a regular night when you're not monitoring sleep apnea, you lose 2-3% of the Ring's battery life as it tracks your sleep normally. However, when you turn sleep apnea monitoring on, you'll lose about 10% or more depending on how long you sleep and how long the app is monitoring. 

The plus side is that the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring has amazing battery life, so it kind of balances out, especially if sleep apnea is not a concern for you.

I do wish the exercise tracking was a little bit more robust. One of my favorite things about the Oura Ring is that it can automatically track certain exercises and activities, but it's all manual with the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring. Even after a long walk or run, the app will at least show that you've done something to elevate your heart rate, drastically increase your steps during a certain time, and burn a ton of calories. It all points to something happening, but the app won't actually say what happened unless you manually track the workout.

And this one's asinine, but like the first-generation RingConn Smart Ring, I wish the charging case was smaller. With as much battery life as you get from the ring, having such a large charging case just seems like overkill, especially when you look at the case included with the Galaxy Ring. Hopefully, RingConn adds this as an additional accessory that you can purchase separately.

Lastly, I wish the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring synced with Health Connect on Android and not just Google Fit. However, iPhone users will benefit from Apple Health connectivity.

RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring: Competition

RingConn's biggest competitors are Oura and Samsung. The Oura Ring pretty much popularized a smart ring category, and the ordering continues to be one of the best smart rings on the market. It has great battery life, a very insightful app, automatic activity tracking, and it syncs with Health Connect. The downside is that it still relies on a monthly subscription when most other smart rings are subscription-free. This drives up the overall cost over the lifetime of the device, while the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring remains a cheaper option, even up front. 

The Galaxy Ring is Samsung's first smart ring, which means that Samsung has a larger user base to appeal to since it's part of the Galaxy ecosystem. There's also no subscription here, and you get access to Samsung's Galaxy AI, which powers insights like the new energy score. However, as noted in our Galaxy Ring review, there are some growing pains since this is Samsung's first smart ring, with mediocre sleep tracking, gimmicky gestures, and various limitations on non-Samsung phones.

Another favorite is the Ultrahuman Ring Air, which offers pretty advanced features like AFib detection—the first smart ring to do this. You get a pretty comprehensive set of health tracking features, although the app experience is pretty poor, and you'll have to pay more upfront for the ring, plus extra if you want the headlining AFib detection feature.

RingConn Gen 2: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You're in the market for a fairly affordable smart ring.
• You don't want to pay a subscription for access to features.
• You think you might suffer from sleep apnea.

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You want more robust exercise tracking/automatic workout detection.
• You want accurate and reliable step counting.
• You already own the first gen.

Smart rings are becoming a hot new wearable category, especially now that Samsung is in the ring, so to speak. RingConn may not have the same brand power as some of the giants, but the company has a solid offering that does the basics quite well. In fact, with the impressive battery life and sleep apnea feature, the RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring manages to achieve some feats that we've mostly seen on smartwatches from Garmin or Samsung, and it's more than capable of holding its own against the best smart rings on the market.

The RingConn Gen 2 Smart Ring is one smart ring that shouldn't be overlooked, as it offers great value for those who want to take charge of their health.

Smart rings are popular nowadays with new models coming to market frequently from numerous brands. Two popular ones to consider include the Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. RingConn Smart Ring. Both are premium smart rings that function similarly to smartwatches and fitness trackers, except they are worn on your finger instead of your wrist.

They are sleek, filled with sensors to track all types of health and wellness metrics, and have their own unique benefits. Which of the two smart rings should you choose? We’re here to help.

Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. RingConn Smart Ring: The fit and design

First, let’s examine fit and design. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is ultra-slim at just 2.6mm in thickness as well as lightweight, weighing from 2.3 grams up to 3 grams, depending on the size. Speaking of which, it comes in nine size options from 5 to 13 to fit a variety of finger circumferences. In his hands-on, Android Central’s Derrek Lee says he was surprised by how thin and light the Galaxy Ring is, noting that even though the dimensions suggest it’s thicker than others, the concave design makes it seem thinner. “It feels more like a ring and less like a regular smart ring,” he notes.

It’s advisable to get the ring sizing kit to choose the right size. Wear the size you think fits best for 24 hours on your index, middle, or ring finger. Since your finger tends to fluctuate in size throughout the day, especially for women, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re choosing one that isn’t too tight or too loose. Once you confirm the size, you can place your order.

Available in three scratch-resistant finishes with a durable titanium frame, choose black, silver, or gold. It comes with a full cradle quick charge case that can keep it powered up for as long as two weeks. The ring itself lasts for a week per charge. The clear charging case is stylish with a nice lighting effect to confirm status.

The ring is extra durable in that it boasts both an IP68 rating as well as a 10ATM rating, which means you can safely swim with it, even in depths as deep as 100 meters. As with any water-resistant device, however, be mindful that this pertains to freshwater surfaces. You’ll want to heed caution in heavily chlorinated pools as well as saltwater.

On the underside of the watch are three sensors that come in contact with your skin. There’s an optical bio-signal sensor for measuring heart rate, an accelerometer for tracking activities like walking and running, and a skin temperature sensor. The ring pairs seamlessly with the Samsung Health app and does not require a subscription.

While you can use this smart ring with any Android phone, you’ll be able to leverage all the features when it’s paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. With some of the latest Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy watches, you’ll get additional features, too.

At 2.6mm thin as well, the RingConn Smart Ring comes in Moonlit Silver, Midnight Black, or Pale Gold, very similar colors. It boasts a unique “squircle” design that’s not quite a smooth circle. In his review, Lee says that while the ring doesn’t look as premium as others, it’s not too thick and stands out among a sea of others that all look identical to one another. The flat bottom also makes it easy to tell which side should be on the underside of your finger.

Sizing ranges from 6-14, so those with extra-thin fingers might find the Samsung Galaxy Ring’s smallest size most suitable. Conversely, those with extra-thick fingers might need to size up and opt for the largest size 14 of the RingConn model. As with the Samsung Galaxy Smart Ring, it’s advised to use the custom sizer to make sure you get the right fit. It’s slightly heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Ring at 3-5 grams, depending on the size.

Made of lightweight titanium that’s corrosion-resistant with a PVC coating, the RingConn Smart Ring is also IP68 rated, but it does not have an ATM rating for pressure. Nonetheless, you should still be able to safely enjoy casual swims and showers with this model.

The RingConn Smart Ring comes with a portable charging case as well and lasts for up to seven days per charge, too. The company says the case can offer up to 18 full recharges, which is a huge deal since you can keep it going presumably for weeks. On the underside of this smart ring are four PPG sensors, four temperature sensors, and a 3D accelerometer.

This smart ring does not require a subscription either, and it can pair seamlessly with all types of phones, including both Android and iOS. Thus, if you don’t own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, you might prefer this one. it’s also compatible with Apple Health and Google Fit.

Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. RingConn Smart Ring: Spec comparison

How do these two rings measure up? Let’s take a look.

These two smart rings do a lot of the same things and have a lot of the same sensors and features. They even look alike! But let’s look further into how they function.

Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. RingConn Smart Ring: The key sensors and features

Once you have the right size and you’re sporting a new Samsung Galaxy Ring on your finger, what can it do? The smart ring has three sensors, as noted, that track metrics like heart rate, sleep, stress, skin temperature, and more. The sleep tracker offers additional features like snore detection, sleep stages, heart rate during sleep, movement, sleep latency, and respiratory rate. There’s also cycle tracking for ladies to track their menstrual health along with heart rate alerts and the option to run a live heart rate check.

Thanks to the inclusion of Galaxy AI, you’ll also get an Energy Score. This calculates physical readiness based on the previous night’s sleep, heart rate, and activities to let you know if you should take a rest day or go for it with an intense cardio session. Along with tracking a variety of workouts, it has auto workout detection for walking and running, as well as inactive alerts to remind you to get up and move.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring also provides wellness tips and personalized suggestions, learning more about you over time, and monitors health vitals 24/7. All health data is stored in Samsung Cloud and accessible through the companion Samsung Health app. 

With a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, you can use the ring to control it through a pinch gesture motion. This can trigger actions like snapping a photo or snoozing an alarm. Lee tried this with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and says the gestures work really well. With a compatible phone, you can also ping the ring with Find My Ring, perfect if you left it in the locker room at the gym or forgot where you put it down in the house. However, it only turns on the ring’s sensor light when you do this, so it might not be helpful in a bright room.

Samsung also says that when you wear the Galaxy Ring paired with one of the best Galaxy smartwatches like the new Galaxy Watch 7 or Galaxy Watch Ultra, you’ll get more accurate health analysis. This is because the two together improve precision, especially while sleeping. You can also purportedly wear the Galaxy Ring for longer when it’s paired with the Galaxy Watch, extending the battery life by up to 30 percent.

What about the RingConn Smart Ring? Its sensors work much the same way, tracking many of the same metrics, including heart rate, sleep and sleep stages, blood oxygen, stress, and skin temperature. It offers 24/7 health monitoring as well with a unique feature that lets you share health data with a family member or caregiver, great for the elderly or those with disabilities or who are keeping an eye on risk factors like heart attack or stroke. (Naturally, as with any smart ring, this isn’t a medical device).

You get detailed analysis as well as suggestions as the Ringconn Smart Ring tracks various metrics, with everything easily accessible in the RingConn app. You can also use the app to refine goals as you notice improvements or want to create more accessible goals. While Lee says the app might look busy to some, the Wellness Balance feature, currently in beta, is a neat view that combines all your data and plots it onto a graph. This makes it easy to see which areas need work and how you are progressing (or regressing).

One limitation is that The RingConn Smart Ring has limited exercise modes from which to choose, with the feature still in beta. It includes basic ones like running, walking, and cycling, but that’s it. Hopefully more are coming in the future; Lee says RingConn is “working to develop more diverse sports modes.” There are, however, neat badge rewards to help encourage you as you hit goals or even wear the ring for a specific duration of time. Lee says it’s a “fun way to turn wearing your smart ring into a game.” But for now, if you want to be able to track different sports, exercises, and activities and don’t already own a smartwatch to do that, the RingConn model won’t be a good choice.

There are no added bells and whistles with this smart ring, which is also reflected in its price, which is much more affordable than the Samsung Galaxy Ring. But the integration with Google Fit and Apple Health might make it the better option for those who own something other than a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. However, it’s worth noting that Lee did experience issues syncing and connecting the ring to the app on multiple occasions, which can be frustrating.

Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. RingConn Smart Ring: Which should you buy?

So, you’re ready to take the leap and dive into the smart ring space. Whether you’re using it on its own or complementing a smartwatch or fitness tracker you already wear, both the Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. RingConn Smart Ring are good options to consider.

Naturally, if you own a Samsung Galaxy phone, it’s a no-brainer to buy the Samsung Galaxy Ring. You’ll enjoy a truly holistic experience with everything tracked in the Samsung Health app. If you also own a compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch, you’ll really appreciate adding this model to the ecosystem to get the most accurate results possible.

If you own another branded Android phone or even an iPhone, I’d recommend going with the RingConn Smart Ring instead. Like Apple, Samsung has a fairly closed ecosystem with its products. While you can technically use the Samsung Galaxy Ring with another branded Android device, it doesn’t make much sense when you’re paying for some features you won’t be able to leverage.

With that said, if you partake in a lot of water-based activities or just spend a lot of time outdoors, you might appreciate the extra durability the Samsung Galaxy Ring affords. The 10ATM rating is higher than you’ll find in most premium smartwatches, much less smart rings. Plus, the focus on additional sleep data could be crucial to those who are focused on improving sleep, especially if you suffer from sleep apnea or want to measure your snoring.

But the RingConn Smart Ring offers enticing features, too, like the 500mAh charging case that can keep the Ring powered up for weeks. Pop it in your purse and recharge while having brunch or commuting home from work. The health-sharing option will be appreciated by those who want to keep an eye on loved ones as well.

A small but potentially important detail: those on either extreme side of sizing might find that Samsung’s smallest size fits better or conversely, Ringconn’s largest size accommodates them. This could be a deciding factor for you once you get the respective sizing kits and try them on.

Final decision? If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone and/or Galaxy watch, go with the Samsung Galaxy Ring. If you own any other Android phone or an iPhone, the RingConn Smart Ring is a better option.

Smart rings are suddenly all the rage these days, and the RingConn Smart Ring is probably one of the better options you can find right now. It's already cheaper than the Oura Ring and Galaxy Ring, but this Prime Day sale gets you the ring for much less than you'd pay for either, making it an absolute steal if you don't want to spend too much money on a wearable.

The RingConn Smart Ring normally retails for $279, but this 25% discount brings it down to just $209, nearly $100 less than the cheapest Oura Ring and almost $200 cheaper than the Galaxy Ring.

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Having used the RingConn Smart Ring, I was thoroughly impressed with not only the design and features but also the layout of the app. The ring looks great and comes in three finishes with many different sizes. It also has a bevy of sensors and health-tracking features to help you manage your sleep and stress, and it's all laid out in a nicely visual app that gives you insights on how you can improve.

There's also a handy charging cradle, although you may not use it much because the ring lasts for about a week per charge.

The best part is that there isn't a subscription! And if you're on iOS, the app will connect to Apple Health, while Android users will have to connect it to Google Fit to sync all your data (no Health Connect support as of yet, it seems).

✅Recommended if: You want a more affordable smart ring that doesn't require a subscription.

❌Skip this deal if: You would rather invest in a smart ring from a company you're familiar with or you're still on the fence about smart rings in general.

In the meantime, you can check out our other smart ring Prime Day deals before the sales event ends, like this one on the Oura Ring Gen 3 (Horizon) that gets you nearly $100 off.

Oura has been the big name in the smart ring game for quite some time now, but in the wake of the Oura Ring Gen 3's popularity have come a swathe of smaller companies hoping to get in on a piece of the action and step into the ring, so to speak. RingConn is one of those companies hoping to bank off the growing popularity of smart rings, and it seems like it might be able to pull it off.

The RingConn Smart Ring isn't the fanciest-looking smart ring around, but it has plenty going on under the hood, bringing a bevy of health tracking features, a fun and functional app, and long battery life that rivals even the Oura Ring Gen 3. But that's not even the best part, and that's why the RingConn Smart Ring could be your next (or first) smart ring.

• RingConn Smart Ring: $279 $229 at Amazon

RingConn Smart Ring: Price & availability

The RingConn Smart Ring retails for $279, making it cheaper than the Oura Ring Gen 3. In addition to the lower price, there is also no subscription needed to access your health insights, which is a major advantage for RingConn Smart Ring owners.

The ring comes in multiple sizes ranging from 6 to 14, so there should be a size available for most people. It's also available in three different colors: Moonlit Silver, Midnight Black, and Pale Gold.

At the time of writing, RingConn is offering a $50 discount on the smart ring through July 10, bringing it down to an even more affordable price tag. The ring can be purchased directly from RingConn's website or through Amazon.com.

RingConn Smart Ring: What I like

If you've been paying attention to the current smart ring offerings, then you'll notice that the RingConn Smart Ring has a fairly unique design. Instead of a typical circle, you get a squircle design with a very matte finish, making for a unique but subtle-looking ring. While it doesn't look as premium as some other smart rings, I actually like the design, as it makes it stand out in a sea of circles. The ring is also not too thick or heavy, measuring just 2.6mm and weighing between 3-5g, depending on the size.

The ring fits comfortably on my index finger despite the inside being mostly circular, save for a flat bottom where the sensors are. This is really the only way you can tell which side is the right side up, whereas other rings often have some type of divot or design indicator. That said, I don't seem to have trouble with the ring moving around much on my finger.

Setting up the ring took no time at all, and the app layout is pretty straightforward, with three tabs at the bottom for Insights, Trends, and a Me tab for managing your profile and the ring settings. The UI may appear a little busy to some, especially on the Insights tab, but the information is laid out pretty well, so you know what you're looking at. One interesting aspect of the app is the Wellness Balance, which is a beta feature that consolidates your data onto a graph. Not only is it a nice visual way to see what area you're lacking in, but it will also compare the data to the previous day's graph so you can see how you've progressed.

Under the graph, you can view quick tips on how to improve your wellness, or you can tap the tile for more in-depth insights on each metric: Sleep, Activity, Stress Management, and Vital Signs. This pulls up a simplistic view with tips on where you can improve, but if you want a deeper look at your sleep, for instance, each of these metrics also has its own individual tile on the Insights tab. You'll be able to view data such as your sleep stages, skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation, stress index, steps, calories, and more by digging into each tile. And in case some information is more important to you than others, you can rearrange the view inside each tile or even hide some data if you don't want to see your Standing duration, for example.

The Insights tab also has a nifty Health Timeline, which I think is a great way to view your activity throughout the day. It gives you a quick view of your sleep schedule, when you hit certain calorie goals when you might need to relax, and when you do certain activities.

Speaking of activities, there's an FAB on this tab that lets you quickly jump into workout tracking and select between a few exercise modes. RingConn Smart Ring is able to manually track running and cycling, with more on the way.

When it comes to accuracy, I find that the step counter can be a bit off, which is often the case for smart rings. On some days, it will overestimate the number of steps I've taken by quite a bit, especially when compared to my Android smartwatches, while on other days, it will come up short. This is to be expected, as devices tend to have different levels of sensitivity, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a wearable that will get this 100% correct.

That said, heart rate readings seem to be on par with my other devices, like my Garmin Venu 3, and sleep tracking has been quite accurate, closely matching my other devices when it comes to determining my sleep stages, duration, and vitals.

It's worth noting that the RingConn Smart Ring also features menstrual prediction, which uses temperature readings and other information to help you determine the date of your next period, although this is not something I could test myself.

I really like that the RingConn app for Android features a series of widgets that allow you to view your vitals, health scores, and battery life straight from your home screen.

The RingConn app will also reward you with badges based on certain metrics you hit or for wearing the ring for a certain amount of time. Honestly, it's a pretty fun way to turn wearing your smart ring into a game, and you're even able to go into each badge to see how you're able to level it up.

Charging the ring is pretty unique compared to most others. It comes with a charging cradle, which is pretty nice as it allows you to pack it up and take it with you, charging the ring as you go. That said, you may not even have to resort to that, as the battery life on the RingConn Smart Ring is pretty incredible, rivaling even the Oura Ring. I've been able to get an average of seven full days out of the ring, which is pretty impressive. I didn't even bother taking the charging cradle with me when preparing for a short trip. Days into wearing the ring, I was able to leave for the trip and come back a few days after that without worrying that it was going to die.

The best part about all of this is that the data is available to me without requiring a subscription. Oura offers very useful insights and plenty of features, but you have to pay $5.99 per month for its most useful features, which is a bit of an ask on top of the $299 starting price. 

RingConn Smart Ring: What I don't like

The RingConn Smart Ring has a lot going for it, but it's not all roses. As a health tracking device, the ring isn't much of a fitness wearable, and therefor its fitness tracking capabilities are limited. For example, the exercise tracking feature is still only in beta and is quite limited at the moment. You can manually track outdoor or indoor runs, outdoor cycling, and outdoor walking, although RingConn says it's "working to develop more diverse sports modes."

This is pretty much par for the course when it comes to smart rings, although it would be nice to see RingConn add some automatic tracking for things like walking, running, etc. That's one of the best things about the Oura Ring; after an activity, the app will either automatically log a recognized activity (of which there are a surprising amount) or it will ping me to ask if I was doing a specific activity like walking, running, dancing, etc.

Another downside is that despite all the vitals the ring tracks, RingConn only supports syncing with Google Fit and not Health Connect. Fortunately, the Fit app connects to Health Connect, but I would like more granular control over what data is being synced across devices, as well as the ability to better sync data from my watch to the ring and vice versa.

Of course, that's dependent on if/when the ring decides to sync. For some reason, it seems as though the ring won't automatically sync data in the background, and the app won't actually update my metrics until after I open the app. And even then, sometimes, it will take quite a while for the ring to actually connect to my phone. I'll often have to turn Bluetooth off and on again to force the ring to connect.

Then there are notifications. It's not a huge deal, but I wish the RingConn Smart Ring would bother me more often. Sure, it supports inactive alerts, but I would like to see bedtime reminders or get notified when I get a badge or when a new activity/entry is added to my health Health Timeline. One of the benefits of having a smart ring over a smartwatch is that there's no screen to bother me, but that's also a bit of a downside when you don't know what's going on or what the ring is logging.

Oh, and there isn't an in-app method for locating the ring in case you misplace it, which, speaking from experience, is a useful feature that I'm sure some users would appreciate.

RingConn Smart Ring: Competition

The biggest and most obvious competitor is the Oura Ring Gen 3, which was launched in 2021 and remains the most popular smart ring. Both feature lightweight designs, although Oura has more styles and a lead when it comes to features. However, the Oura's subscription may deter some, and it makes the RingConn Smart Ring look much more attractive since you get plenty of health tracking and insights without the added cost.

Another smart ring worth considering is the Ultrahuman Ring Air. This is another ring that has plenty of useful data and insights, particularly around sleep. There's no subscription, which is a big plus, and the ring has impressive battery life. That said, despite the lack of a required subscription, the ring costs much more than both the RingConn Smart Ring and the cheapest Oura Ring style, so the upfront cost might make you look elsewhere.

RingConn Smart Ring: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

• You want helpful insights on your health and wellness.
• You don't like wearing a smartwatch to bed.
• You're looking for a cheaper Oura Ring alternative.

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You want a smart ring for fitness tracking.
• You want a wearable with a reliable connection.
• You prefer to use Health Connect to manage your data across devices.

RingConn was one of the first Oura Ring competitors that I became aware of, and I was always curious about how its smart ring would compare. Would it just be a cheap knockoff to the device that basically started the smart ring frenzy? Well, yes, but I mean that in the best way possible.

The RingConn Smart Ring is a well-thought-out wearable that has plenty going for it. The health tracking feels about on par with Oura, and the app has an easy-to-use layout that offers plenty of insights into your health and wellness, all without charging you more for the privilege of actually viewing that data. It's a good-looking ring, to boot, and battery life is phenomenal.

Sure, some features aren't as fleshed out as I would like them to be, but the Oura Ring Gen 3 was very much in that position following its launch, promising many features that wouldn't arrive until later. That's what it feels like with the RingConn Smart Ring, although it's at a pretty good place right now, and there's clearly more on the horizon to look forward to.

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the Oura Ring, this is probably your best bet.

Oura has been reigning over the smart ring industry for over a decade now, bringing an advanced, research-grade sensor to the Oura Ring. Now, it faces a new challenge: competing with a company known for more than just its wearable technology—Samsung. With a new lawsuit brewing, will this threaten Oura’s standing in the smart ring market?

Oura's early lead

Oura was founded in 2013, and for the past 10 years, we’ve seen the company aggressively pursue its competitors since it holds many patents in the smart ring industry. Right after the Galaxy Ring was announced, the company was quick to remind Android Central that it has “100 granted patents, 270 pending patent applications, and 130+ registered trademarks.”

Oura argues that some of its competitors have infringed on its patents, involving aspects of design, functionality, and more. In March, it filed an ITC lawsuit against Ultrahuman, RingConn, and Circular for patent infringement.

“Unfortunately, when we see companies take shortcuts that imitate and ride the coattails of our innovation, we have no choice but to take action,” said Tom Hale, Oura’s now-CEO.

Hale goes on to say that, having spent over a decade investing in the research and development of the ring and engineering it into its hardware and software, Oura will continue to protect the efforts it took to reach where they are today.

Samsung, fully aware it might be next in line to get sued for its highly anticipated Galaxy Ring, filed a lawsuit against Oura Health Oy at the San Francisco Division District Court on May 30. The lawsuit claims that Oura’s pattern of indiscriminate assertion of patent infringement could actually pose a risk to the success of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Ring.

Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC, has no comment on the likelihood of Samsung winning the lawsuit. However, he points out that he doesn’t see it as an offensive move to stifle competition. “Rather, I see it as a defensive move to ensure a fair fight.”

And reasonably so, considering Oura’s history. “Samsung’s suit does help paint itself in a better light as it appears to evangelize competition, while Oura, the underdog in the overall wearables market, is perceived as a monopoly,” Ubrani added.

The question, though, is more about the validity of some of Oura’s patents. Samsung argues that Oura’s patents cover features common to most smart rings, such as sensors, batteries, and data scores. However, if the court agrees on these aspects, Oura’s legal strategy could be weakened.

Despite this, Samsung asserts that the Galaxy Ring “has not infringed, and does not infringe, directly or indirectly, any valid and enforceable claim” from Oura’s five most commonly cited patents in its previous lawsuits.

Oura, on the other hand, has not publicly commented on Samsung’s lawsuit as of yet. The company did not respond to Android Central’s request for comments, either, but we will update this article once we have more information. 

Oura's reign and beyond

Oura was founded by Petteri Lahtela, Kari Kivela, and Markku Kosekela. Their vision was to create a functional and minimalistic wellness device. According to Petteri Lahtel, the brand’s early days weren’t easy, as securing funding proved difficult. 

“It was really hard to find investors who were also driven by something else other than money. Our mission from day one has been to create a lasting impact by empowering individuals to learn how their bodies respond to their lifestyles,” he said in an interview with Nordic Business Report. 

While they continued to struggle for funding, they launched a Kickstarter campaign and publicized their concept in 2015. The company has since created three generations of its smart ring, the latest of which is its most popular and has solidified Oura as a leader in the space. Throughout these years, the focus on data accuracy and user empowerment has powered the ring since 2021.

“That’s how we stand out against other wearables—Oura Ring is designed not just for a moment in time or a season, but it’s meant to be a personal health companion for life,” Jason Russell, Oura’s VP of consumer software product, told me in an email.

From creating rings that could only track sleep and fitness to getting breakthroughs in women’s reproductive health research, including the capability of Oura Ring to track menstrual cycles and identify pregnancy, it has come a long way.

When discussing new players entering the smart ring market, Russel said that Oura has always welcomed “increasing competition as validation for the category’s potential.” However, to the contrary, whenever a company tries to enter the smart ring market, Oura has sued it for patent infringement, likely protecting years of innovation and user-centric design. 

“With over a decade of experience in the industry, we’ve established ourselves as pioneers in the ring form factor, setting a high standard for innovation and accuracy, and we continue to innovate,” he added. 

A victory for Oura could mean a defeat for smart rings

If Oura wins its lawsuits and competitors are forced to alter or retract their designs, consumers will have fewer options when choosing a smart ring. Oura would likely monopolize the smart ring market and restrict consumers' ability to find a better ring that matches their budget and needs.  

"As a pioneer in the space, Oura has every right and reason to protect their moat, particularly as a giant like Samsung introduces a competing product," Ubrani added.

Secondly, going after competitors could only lead to a potential price rise, limiting accessibility to customers. It might even discourage other companies from investing in the innovation of these niche wearables, which could stifle the growth of smart ring tech. However, considering the legal system's complexity, it is important to note that these lawsuits might take years to resolve.

Oura might argue that these lawsuits help maintain the quality of products and prevent companies from infringing on their patents. 

However, Ubrani says in reality, "these lawsuits and protectionist moves ultimately hurt the consumer because it reduces competition and instead, on some occasions." Instead, Oura should focus on improving its products and services to stand out in the market rather than chase after its competitors.