Samsung patents adjustable smart ring design
Samsung hopes to make finding the right fit for your smart ring easier. A newly published patent illustrates an innovative design, with a one-size-fits-all mechanism.
While tech giants race to shrink computers into ever-smaller wearables, the humble ring on your finger has emerged as the latest battlefield for health tracking supremacy. And there is is very little to separate the current offerings on the market.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Samsung is hoping to push the envelope with an interesting approach to smart ring design, with its patent from the South Korean KIPRIS database (via Galaxy Club). The paperwork reveals a device with an adjustable inner band while maintaining a rigid outer structure. This dual-layer concept could prove particularly useful for users who experience natural finger size fluctuations throughout the day due to temperature changes, exercise, or other factors.
A crowded market
The timing of this patent comes just months after Samsung’s entry into the smart ring market with their Galaxy Ring this summer. The current offering, while competently executed, hasn’t significantly differentiated itself from existing devices in the smart ring space. It provides standard health metrics including sleep monitoring, recovery tracking, and activity measurements, with respectable battery life extending to seven days.
One advantage of the current Galaxy Ring is its subscription-free model, contrasting with competitors like Oura that require ongoing payments for full functionality. However, the device’s $400 price point positions it firmly in the premium segment. Options such as RingConn, Helio Ring and Ultrahuman Ring Air are more competitively priced.
Additionally, the ring’s requirement for the Samsung Health app creates an ecosystem limitation. While it works with Android phones running Samsung Health, iPhone users are left out entirely.
The newly patented design could represent Samsung’s effort to stand out from the pack. Traditional smart rings often require sizing kits or professional adjustments, making the purchase process more complex and potentially deterring some consumers. An adjustable design could streamline this experience while improving daily comfort.
However, as with all patents, there’s no guarantee this design will reach production. Patents often serve as technological placeholders or strategic assets rather than definitive product roadmaps. If implemented, though, this approach could offer a practical solution to a persistent challenge in wearable design.
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