Samsung just pulled ahead in the smart ring race. WIRED's comprehensive 2025 buying guide crowns the Galaxy Ring as the top pick for Android users, while budget challenger RingConn faces a patent lawsuit that'll boot it from U.S. markets by October. The timing couldn't be better for Samsung as wearable tech shifts toward more subtle health tracking devices.
Samsung's Galaxy Ring is reshaping the smart ring landscape in ways that go far beyond simple health tracking. WIRED's latest comprehensive review positions Samsung's titanium wearable as the standout choice for Android users, marking a significant shift in a market that's been dominated by Oura since its inception.
The Galaxy Ring's secret weapon isn't just its health sensors - it's the seamless ecosystem play that Samsung has perfected. The ring works in tandem with Galaxy Watch8 series devices, trading tasks and extending each other's battery life in a way that feels genuinely integrated rather than competitive. "With the Samsung Galaxy Ring, exclusivity is a feature, not a bug," WIRED's Adrienne So writes in the review.
But Samsung's timing advantage just got a major boost from an unexpected source. RingConn, which offered one of the most compelling budget alternatives at $199 for its Gen 2 Air, faces an existential threat. Following Oura's successful patent infringement lawsuit, the International Trade Commission ruled that RingConn can't import or sell its smart rings in the U.S. starting October 21, 2025. The company promises continued app support and warranty service, but the market disruption is already reshaping buyer behavior.
"The RingConn Gen 2 Air is the cheapest subscription-free smart ring worth considering," the WIRED review notes, but adds the crucial caveat about its impending U.S. ban. For American consumers, this effectively removes the most affordable quality option from the market, potentially driving more users toward Samsung's $399 Galaxy Ring or sticking with Oura's established ecosystem.
The competitive dynamics reveal something deeper about where wearable tech is heading. While smartwatches have become status symbols that scream "productivity optimization," smart rings represent a more subtle approach to health monitoring. WIRED's analysis suggests this appeals particularly to fashion-conscious consumers who don't want to abandon their traditional watches.
"Almost everyone we know who has bought a smart ring has done so because they have a hand-me-down Cartier Tank, or a fun Casio or Swatch, that they don't want to give up," the review explains. This isn't just about health tech - it's about preserving personal style while gaining health insights.
