Previously, the company had only shown a brief image of the ring at the end of its Samsung Unpacked event in mid-January, where it unveiled the Galaxy S24, its first artificial intelligence (AI) phones (new window).
Samsung briefly revealed work on Samsung Galaxy Ring, a smart ring, during its event on January 17, 2024.
Photo: Samsung
A handful of journalists were able to test the Samsung gadget in Barcelona, Spain. It's described as an accessory that's lighter than it seems, offered in three colors (platinum, black and gold) and in multiple finger sizes (from 5 to 13).
In terms of health indicators, the ring will be able to measure sleep using heart rate data, movements and breathing. Women can also rely on fertility and menstrual monitoring, as is the case with the Galaxy Watch smartwatches. In addition, Samsung emphasized to journalists the convenience and practicality of complementing its connected watch, without elaborating on why or how.
The South Korean giant was also stingy with information about the lifespan of the battery or the price of the ring.
Owners of this accessory can also set specific health goals and receive updates and advice integrated into the Samsung Health health tracking application.
Oura launched its first generation of smart rings in 2015.
Photo: Oura
The smart ring market has so far been dominated by the Finnish company Oura. The arrival of a tech giant into the equation adds a bit of competition, which could help democratize this new connected object.
This year, people can get their hands on the brand's smart ring, which is scheduled to launch in the second half of the year, between June and December. However, the company does not mention a price for the device.
AI at the center of the discussions
In addition to Samsung's Smart Ring, artificial intelligence (AI) is the theme of the World Mobile Show, which is taking place in Barcelona, Spain, until Thursday. This flagship telecommunications industry meeting, held in the Catalan capital since 2006, bets that this technology will find new momentum as smartphone sales reach their peak.
We lack growth. So we have to look for options.
According to specialist firm IDC, 1.17 billion smartphones were sold worldwide last year, the lowest figure in 10 years. Sales resumed in the fourth quarter (+8.5%) and the dynamics point to a rapid recovery, emphasizes the General Director of the World Association of Television Operators ©comsGSMA.
Artificial IntelligenceAI is probably the most profound revolution in human history: for the first time, humans are creating technology that is capable of thinking. This changes the situation, explained Jose Maria Alvarez Pallete, head of the operator Telefónica, on Monday.
Samsung's new Galaxy S24 phone kicked off the AI-powered device game in January.
Photo: Samsung
[Cette technologie] is undeniably in the process of democratization and is now everywhere: in phones, in peripherals, in networks, points out Thomas Husson, analyst at Forrester, who expects artificial intelligence to revive innovation.
We are seeing a combination of AI models that can now be ported directly to a smartphone. The chips are powerful enough to be able to carry out these calculations on the phone.
According to the Global Association of Telecom Operators GSMA, almost 100,000 professionals and 2,500 exhibiting companies will gather for four days at this annual high-profile trade fair. The association brings together almost 750 operators and manufacturers from the telecommunications industry (Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Orange, Vodafone, etc.), but also technology heavyweights such as Airbus, Google and Amazon.