Cover image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
The idea behind the Samsung Galaxy Ring is charmingly simple: take the most essential parts of a smartwatch, shrink them down, and wear them on your finger — no pings, no distractions, no pairing drama (if you're in the Samsung universe)
And honestly? Samsung's first smart ring is a surprisingly elegant leap into this minimalist wearable category.
I recently had the chance to test out the Samsung Galaxy Ring for myself. I got the size 10 and here's my review.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
Priced at RM2,099, the Galaxy Ring comes in three finishes — Titanium Black, Silver and Gold — and is remarkably sleek for a piece of tech. I tested the silver variant.
At just 2.6mm thick, the Galaxy Ring packs heart rate sensors, activity tracking, and sleep monitoring into something that could pass for jewellery.
It's discreet enough for formal events, sporty enough to wear on a jog, and has enough battery (lasting up to 4 to 5 days) that you can truly forget it's even there.
It doesn't try to be everything. And that's the point. There's no screen. No notifications. No pings or dings. It's designed to quietly collect data — heart rate, steps, sleep quality, stress levels, and even your menstrual cycle — and deliver it all via the Samsung Health app.
In a world of always-on, always-blaring tech, this muted approach feels oddly luxurious.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
Samsung has even added gesture controls — you can snap a selfie or dismiss an alarm by pinching your thumb and index finger (though this is more amusing than essential)
And unlike other competitors, Samsung doesn't lock advanced sleep insights behind a paywall. That's included. Which feels… refreshingly ungreedy.
But as much as I admire the concept, the Galaxy Ring isn't without its quirks — and some of them are more than just teething issues.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
The first issue is accuracy. Wearing a Galaxy Ring alongside a smartwatch quickly reveals some discrepancies
Steps and calories seem inflated, while other metrics — like floors climbed or even sleep onset — can be puzzlingly off.
And because it lacks the interactivity of a smartwatch, you can't manually correct or calibrate these readings. You just have to trust it. Or not.
Sizing is another sticking point — literally. You have to visit a Samsung Experience Store (in Malaysia) or buy a sizing kit (in other countries), wait five weeks for your ring to be made, and hope you got it right.
Get the size wrong, and the ring may slip, rotate, or misread your sleep. There's no alert to tell you you've worn it wrong either. The best test? Swing your finger and hope it doesn't fly off. Not exactly scientific.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
The ring also falls short when it comes to tracking certain types of workouts
It's not built for weightlifting, cycling or swimming (despite being IP68-rated), and it completely ignores cycling.
If you, like me, spend a fair bit of your week lifting weights, this might feel like a RM2,099 piece of jewellery sitting out your best efforts.
And finally, a gripe for the Android-toting crowd: the Galaxy Ring's fun gesture controls only work with Samsung phones.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
But let's zoom back out. The Galaxy Ring isn't here to replace your smartwatch. It's here to offer an alternative.
A low-key, stylish, subtle alternative that you can wear when a chunky watch just doesn't suit the mood (or the outfit). It's for dinner dates with a Rolex, or sleep tracking without blue lights glaring at your wrist.
Samsung's made something genuinely desirable — a smart ring that doesn't scream "tech".
It's beautiful, it lasts almost a week on a charge, and it gives you health insights with a light touch.
If Samsung can fix the data quirks and broaden compatibility, this could be the first smart ring to break into the mainstream. Until then, it's not perfect — but it is promising. And in this category, that's enough to earn a place on your finger.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
