RingConn Gen 2 Air vs Gen 1: What’s actually different?
We recently compared the RingConn Gen 2 Air to the flagship Gen 2, breaking down how it fits into the lineup. Now, let’s take a look at how the Gen 2 Air stacks up against Gen 1—which is still hanging around but is likely slowly being phased out. If you already own a Gen 1 or are deciding between the two, here’s what you need to know.
Longer battery life but a charging downgrade
One of the biggest improvements with Gen 2 Air is battery life. It lasts up to 10 days on a single charge, compared to the 7 days you get with Gen 1. That means fewer interruptions for charging, which is always a plus.
But this comes with a caveat. Gen 1 actually has a better charging setup. It comes with a charging case that lets you top up your ring on the go. Up to 20 times – which is very convenient. Gen 2 Air, on the other hand, ditches the case and sticks with a standard cable and charging pad.
So if you like the convenience of a charging case, Gen 1 has the edge here.
Design gets slimmer but you lose a color option
Both rings are made from titanium, but Gen 2 Air uses a titanium-steel mix, while Gen 1 has titanium with a PVD coating. Whether that makes a huge difference in durability or feel isn’t clear, but the bigger change is in the thickness.
Gen 2 Air follows the same thinner design as the flagship Gen 2, making it less bulky than Gen 1. If comfort is a priority, the newer model will feel better on your finger. As someone who has published reviews of both the Gen 2 and Gen 1– for me the second generation smart ring is much better in terms of design. It is slimmer and more discreet.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Colour choices are also a bit different. Gen 2 Air comes in silver and gold, while Gen 1 adds a black option. So if you prefer a black smart ring, Gen 1 is still your best bet. On the flip-side, Gen 2 Air comes with a choice of colourful ring protectors. Also Gen 2 Air has a shiny finish versus the matte finish of the original device.
Features stay the same
There’s no big difference in features between these two. Both track sleep, heart rate, and activity, along with a bunch of other stats. But neither has sleep apnea tracking—that’s still exclusive to the flagship Gen 2. So if this is important to you, then you will need to go for the highest spec device.
That said, since Gen 1 is likely being phased out, Gen 2 Air has newer sensors, even if RingConn hasn’t made a big deal about it. Better sensors can mean better accuracy, even if the features themselves haven’t changed.
What has been confirmed is the focus going forward. RingConn is looking to add more advanced exercise tracking and activity recognition, deeper integration with third-party data platforms, and further AI optimisations to provide more personalized insights. The company is also looking to expand on women’s health features.
As far as blood pressure monitoring, the company says it is challenging implementing the feature. But that they are making strides in developing a non-cuff solution. No confirmed release time yet.
Price and which one makes more sense
Gen 2 Air is priced at $199, but if you sign up for RingConn’s newsletter, you can get it for $169. But the offer is valid until the 7th of March, so you need to act quick. The price with the discount puts it right in line with Gen 1, which costs $169 with no discounts. For info, actual sales of Gen 2 Air begin on March 21st.
With the same price (or close to it), the trade-offs become more about what matters to you. Gen 2 Air has a longer battery life and a sleeker design, but Gen 1 still has the convenience of a charging case.
For now, if you already have a Gen 1 and like the charging case there’s not a huge reason to switch. But if you’re getting your first RingConn I would go for Gen 2 Air or the flagship $299 Gen 2. They have newer sensors and are more likely to benefit from future firmware upgrades.
Check RingConn’s website for latest prices.
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