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Despite being Samsung’s first smart ring, the Galaxy Ring packs all the health-focused features you’d expect. This makes it a great competitor to the Oura Ring, which has been the go-to choice for many. We think the Galaxy Ring is a better choice, though, and here’s why.
1No Monthly Subscription
TheGalaxy Ringcosts $399.99 in the US, while theOura Ringstarts at $299—$100 cheaper than Samsung’s offering. The latter is available in multiple finishes, with the Stealth and Gold variants costing $400 and $450, respectively. The Hozion variant of the Oura Ring starts from $349 and features a titanium body.
Given the lower starting price, you might think the Oura Ring provides more value for money than Samsung’s smart ring. But that’s not the case.
The Galaxy Ring syncs all health data tothe Samsung Health app, with none of its functionality locked behind a paywall.
If you plan to use the Oura Ring for three years, you will pay an additional $216 over its lifetime. So, while the Oura smart ring might seem cheaper than Samsung’s offering, you’ll end up paying more in the long run.
2Portable Charging Case
Both Samsung and Oura ship their rings with a size-specific charger. However, Samsung’s implementation has an edge, as the Galaxy Ring charger is portable and easy to carry.
It’s similar to a charging case for a pair of wireless earbuds, except that it doesn’t have a built-in battery. Instead, you have to plug in a USB-C cable connected to a power adapter to start charging.
The Galaxy Ring’s charging case also supportswireless charging, which allows you to place the case on top of a wireless charger for a quick top-up.
The portable design of the charging case makes it easy to charge the Galaxy Ring anywhere. In comparison, the Oura Ring’s charger isn’t designed for portability. To initiate charging, you must place the charger on a desk and then place the ring in the cradle.
3Gesture Controls
While basic, the Galaxy Ring supports two handy gestures. You can use a double punch gesture to dismiss alarms and take a picture or video in the Camera app. The only catch is that these gestures only work when you’ve paired the Galaxy Ring with a Samsung phone. It won’t work with non-Samsung phones.
On the other hand, the Oura Ring does not support any such gesture, limiting its usefulness.
The ability to dismiss an alarm or trigger the shutter in the Camera app through a smart ring is handy, and Oura should consider bringing a similar feature to its ring. Samsung could also expand gesture support on the Galaxy Ring to control more features, including incoming calls.
4More Size Options
Samsung offers the Galaxy Ring in nine sizes ranging from size 5 to 13. In comparison, the Oura Ring is available in eight sizes, from sizes 6 to 13. This means the Galaxy Ring is available in an additional smaller size than the Oura.
So, if you have tiny hands and fingers, the Galaxy Ring might be your only choice. And if it matters, the Galaxy Ring is also one gram lighter than the Oura, though you are unlikely to notice this.
Both companies are willing to send you a free sizing kit so that you can determine and order the correct ring size.
The Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring are both impressive smart rings with advanced health-tracking capabilities and a long battery life. But when you compare the two, it’s clear that Samsung’s first smart ring gets a lot of things right and provides a superior experience.
