With the smart rings becoming more popular, Apple is planning to develop a new health tracker to its wearable portfolio. There are strong rumors that Apple is working on a smart ring to rival the Samsung Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring. The Cupertino tech giant has made remarkable progress in the health space, and with an "Apple Ring," it could offer us a more comfortable way to track fitness and sleep. We’ve summed up everything we know about the Apple Ring.
Is Apple Coming Out with a Ring?
The Apple Ring concept was first rumored back in 2007. Then, during an Apple supplier tour in 2013, hints were dropped that an Apple-made smart ring might be in the pipeline. Now, after more than 17 years, curiosity surrounds whether Apple has real plans to launch a Ring. The short answer is yes, according to various reliable sources.
Earlier this year, Mark Gurman reported that Apple is exploring the idea of creating new wearables, including a fitness ring, smart glasses, and AirPods with cameras. According to this report, the Cupertino tech giant was planning to develop "a smart ring that would take health-tracking features from the Apple Watch and put them on your finger." However, Gurman also noted that the Apple Ring is just an idea for now, and the company hasn't started working on the actual product yet.
Another rumor supports this notion. A month after Samsung teased its smart ring at a January 2024 event, South Korea’s ETNews reported that Apple might be preparing to launch a competitor. The report suggests that Apple has been closely monitoring the potential of smart rings and is ramping up development for a release within the next year.
Apple Ring Design Rumors
When the Apple Ring rumors first surfaced back in 2007, excitement grew about what the Apple-branded Ring would look like. The concept of a smart ring was relatively new at that time. Fast forward to 2024, and we have seen devices like the Oura Ring and Samsung Galaxy Ring, giving us a clearer idea of what smart rings might look like. Smart rings feature technology and sensors inside, making them slightly thicker than a regular ring while still resembling modern jewelry. They also come in various metal finishes and colors to enhance their aesthetic appeal.
If the Apple Ring concept becomes a reality, we can expect it to showcase a sleek and minimal design, similar to the Oura Ring. Over the years, Apple has filed numerous patents related to smart rings, so it has a wide array of designs to draw from. For instance, one patent explains how a smart ring could control content on future VR glasses and headsets, using various sensors to gather user input.
Another patent describes an Apple Ring as a mini Apple Watch, complete with biometrics, a touch display, and Siri capabilities to control devices like TVs or tablets. Additionally, one patent suggests a smart ring could utilize NFC technology to control the Vision Pro using in-air gestures, enabling better control over Apple headsets.
Possible Features of the Apple Ring
The Apple Ring is expected to come with all the health-tracking features found in the Apple Watch, such as step counting, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, cycle tracking, ECG, and more. This means users could enjoy all the benefits of Apple Health without wearing a smartwatch. Notably, the Apple Ring could provide an innovative way to track activity.
Moreover, Apple has filed several patents related to gesture recognition, which could seamlessly integrate into daily life. One patent, for example, suggests that the Apple Ring might detect movements or gestures between body parts, like tapping two fingers together.
There have also been leaks indicating that the Apple Ring could use ultra-wideband technology to recognize when a user points at a device. Essentially, when a user points, the ring would use the U1 chip or similar technology to notify the device that interaction is about to occur. This allows the user to control the desired hardware effectively.
Apple Ring as an Alternative to the Apple Watch
An Apple Ring could provide a more appealing option for users seeking deeper health insights without the bulkiness of a smartwatch. Some Apple Watch users find it cumbersome to wear a smartwatch constantly, especially when it comes to charging it nightly. I personally feel that smartwatches often disrupt my lifestyle, making an Apple Ring a more attractive alternative for those who prioritize convenience, particularly during nighttime.
When the Apple Ring is eventually released, it may address one of the Apple Watch's main drawbacks—battery life. While precise figures remain unclear, the Apple Ring could offer superior battery longevity due to its simpler functionality and absence of a display. Most smart rings can last several days on a single charge, which is impressive. Additionally, the Apple Ring could be more budget-friendly compared to the Apple Watch, appealing to a wider audience seeking a flexible, comfortable, and affordable health-tracking alternative.
Expected Price and Release Date for the Apple Ring
Currently, there are no solid rumors regarding the potential release date or pricing of the Apple Ring. However, like other Apple devices, this ring is expected to enter the market at a premium price. Apple tends to adopt a competitive pricing strategy to rival competitors.
For reference, Oura entered the smart ring market in 2015, and its most affordable model is around $300. Conversely, Samsung's Galaxy Ring launched at a hefty $400 price tag. Based on these figures, we can speculate that the Apple Ring might be priced between $300 and $400. Given that Apple is known for premium products, the price could even reach $500. It's also possible that we will see standard and premium versions with different features.
At this point, there are no hints regarding the Apple Ring's release date. Mark Gurman previously commented that the Apple Ring is still in the conceptual stage, and Apple isn't actively developing any finger-worn devices. However, Electronic Times reported that Apple is seriously considering a smart ring and might unveil it within two years. Without concrete evidence, we may have to assume that the Apple-branded smart ring could still be a few years away.
Competition in the Smart Ring Market
Oura currently leads the smart ring market, with Samsung also entering the fray this year. Essentially, Apple faces competition from Oura and Samsung. The standout feature of Oura's smart ring is its stylish design, equipped with sensors capable of tracking movement, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and temperature. The ring connects to its companion app via Bluetooth to relay collected data. Since its launch in 2015, Oura has introduced multiple smart ring versions and established a strong market presence.
Samsung's Galaxy Ring offers a sleek design packed with various sensors, including ECG, SpO2, heart rate, and sleep detection capabilities. The Apple Ring may feature a similar set of capabilities as the Galaxy Ring. However, Apple may have an advantage due to its extensive ecosystem and continuity features. Additionally, Apple has been closely monitoring the smart ring market for years, so it could surprise us with something innovative that we haven't seen yet!
That's everything we currently know about the Apple Ring. We will continue to update this article as new rumors and information emerge. Stay tuned!
