Will Apple launch a smart ring product? Why is it better than a smartwatch?

Rumors say that Apple is in fact developing a smart ring, but as you'll see shortly, that's unlikely to come true. However, that doesn't mean it can't be a great product. The argument in a nutshell goes like this: Imagine you get almost all the benefits of the Apple Watch, only you don't actually have to wear the smartwatch. Instead, you can do it through a nice and discreet metal band.

"From a fitness perspective, smart rings can be a viable alternative to traditional smartwatches, as long as it does not affect sensor accuracy or functionality. Key advantages include size compact size, encourages continuous wear and provides more comprehensive health data," Chris Pruitt, certified personal trainer and CEO of FitnessHealthy, told Lifewire via email.

The idea of ​​a smart ring

Such smart rings are not a far-fetched idea. For example, Samsung is developing the Galaxy Ring and is expected to launch this year. The ring offers several benefits over a watch, the biggest one being that you don't have to wear a smartwatch. Many users love the features of the Apple Watch, but don't like how it gets in the way of wearing a regular watch and looking cooler.

A smart ring, then, could still track your health metrics, create tactile sensations for notifications, and let you unlock your Mac or pay with Apple Pay in stores. Yes, it's compact and will therefore have a much smaller battery than a smartwatch, but on the other hand, it won't have any display other than a few confusing status LEDs. Displays, especially Always-on Displays, are the biggest cause of battery drain in most mobile devices. AirPods show how much battery life you can get without a screen.

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And from a UI standpoint, a ring shape can be quite interesting. For example, imagine how easy it would be to twist and squeeze the ring to control the volume of your workout music. But of course, there are challenges in putting a variety of sensors into a small ring.

'However, its effectiveness ultimately depends on its ability to accurately track essential metrics such as heart rate, step count and possibly even more advanced metrics such as storminess,' said Pruitt. Oxygen mixing in various activities'.

Will Apple launch a smart ring in the future?

But not everyone agrees that a smart ring from Apple would be a good idea. Lifewire spoke to fitness expert and Reps and Sets app developer Graham Bower about this possibility. "Rings are more personal than watches and have a much more important meaning," Bower told Lifewire via DM. "Apple products are often very popular, so it makes sense to launch an Apple Smart product." Phone or not needs to be considered carefully.

Apple products are always highly applicable, but they are also only suitable for a certain aesthetic lifestyle. However, Apple has also done more than anyone else to create and normalize some pretty strange products.

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When AirPods first launched, they were certainly beautiful and attracted the public's attention, then quickly became a popular icon. And if you wear an Apple Watch, you probably remember the first time you used it to pay at the supermarket. In contrast, the Vision Pro is one of the worst products Apple has ever produced.

One could argue, then, that Apple could make the activity more enjoyable. And the company certainly has an incentive to do so, financially.

'The global smart ring market is expected to reach $11.9 billion by 2027,' Dr. Thanu Jey, Chief Medical Officer and founder of Medibrace, told Lifewire via email. "As a fitness expert, I see the potential for smart rings to become a viable alternative to smart watches, especially for those who find wearing a watch uncomfortable for certain periods of time. certain exercises. The importance of quantifying exercise and fitness cannot be underestimated as it allows individuals to track progress, set goals and stay motivated."

Will Apple ever make a smart ring? No one knows that for sure. But if that becomes a reality, many people will certainly be interested.

David Pac

Update 24 February 2024