Galaxy Ring: Samsung’s new frontier in health tech wearables

Samsung unveiled its first-ever smart ring yesterday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The Galaxy Ring features health-tracking capabilities, including heart rate, sleep monitoring, and a “vitality score” that projects “how productive you can be.”

It will complement Samsung’s existing smartwatches and will be sold sometime this year in platinum silver, gold, or ceramic black.

Samsung making moves
Hon Pak, head of the digital health team at Samsung Electronics, said the Galaxy Ring could potentially support contactless payments in the future.

He added that the company is investing in AI to provide deeper health insights and may introduce a subscription model for its Samsung Health app in the future.

Pak also said that Samsung is working on noninvasive glucose monitoring and blood pressure sensing through its smart wearables.

That’s not all
The Korean smartphone maker is expanding its wearable technology devices, and the smart ring is its latest addition. Other companies have launched such devices before, like Finland-based Oura.

But the FDA is wary of tech that claims to measure sugar levels without needles and recently issued a warning.

The use of unauthorized devices could lead to inaccurate readings, causing dangerous consequences such as incorrect medication doses and severe health complications. It could also cause coma or death in severe cases, the agency said.

The warning excludes smartwatch apps connected to sensors like continuous glucose monitoring systems.

Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly considering developing a fitness ring, smart glasses and even AirPods with cameras.