Apple's Upcoming Smart Ring: Everything We Know So Far
- Rumors are swirling about Apple's potential smart ring, signaling the company’s next big move in wearables.
- Speculations suggest the device will offer health tracking, mobile payments, and seamless integration with other Apple products.
- The earliest possible release date for Apple Ring is likely 2025.
Apple has consistently been a market leader in wearable technology, from the Apple Watch to AirPods. Now, rumors point to the tech giant exploring a new category: the Apple Ring.
While Apple’s entry into the ring market remains unconfirmed, several patents and leaks suggest that a new wearable is in development. Apple has filed patents for gesture controls and health tracking innovations, hinting at what this future product could entail.
Photo via AppleInsider // A concept render of Apple's rumored Apple Ring, showcasing its sleek and minimalist design.
It’s no surprise that Apple is interested in wearable rings, given the increasing market for compact health-tracking devices. Oura, the current leader in this space, has captured over 50% of the global smart ring market, valued at over $1.1 billion, and is projected to grow by 29% by 2028. Apple may be positioning itself to take advantage of this growth.
Release Date: 2025?
Although rumors have been circulating since 2015, Apple has remained tight-lipped about the official release date. However, many industry experts predict a 2025 debut, given the growing interest in smart rings and Apple’s usual product timeline.
Historically, Apple has watched competitors carefully before launching its own refined version of new technology. Samsung, which released its Galaxy Ring earlier this year, could be the company Apple is studying. If Samsung’s entry into the market is successful, Apple may follow suit in a similar fashion to its approach with smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets.
Expected Features and Specifications
Health and Fitness Tracking
At the heart of the rumors is the belief that the Apple Ring will focus heavily on health tracking. Patents indicate Apple’s interest in features like sleep monitoring, heart rate tracking, and potentially blood oxygen levels, similar to what’s found in the Apple Watch. However, the ring would offer a more discreet and minimalist approach, appealing to those who find wearing a smartwatch cumbersome or who want 24/7 health data without daily charging.
Gesture Controls and Device Integration
Apple could revolutionize the way users interact with their devices. According to a patent titled “Skin-To-Skin Contact Detection”, the ring might recognize body gestures, enabling users to control Apple products with just a tap on their finger or hand. This gesture-based control could be a game-changer for AR/VR applications like the Vision Pro headset, offering an intuitive, seamless interface.
Apple could also extend mobile payment capabilities to the ring, allowing users to make payments through Apple Pay with a simple gesture.
Additionally, rumors have circulated that the device could offer caller ID and notifications, allowing users to manage their iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks hands-free. However, it's unclear how Apple could pack so much technology into such a small, lightweight product. It's more likely that Apple will prioritize a minimalist feature set, focusing on a sleek, discreet design, with any notifications or caller ID limited to simple haptic feedback—if included at all. While Apple's innovations push boundaries, even they can't defy the laws of physics.
Photo via T3 // Apple’s potential Apple Ring could integrate gesture controls for seamless interaction with devices like the Vision Pro.
A Competitive Landscape: Apple, Oura, and Samsung
The smart ring market is currently dominated by Oura, whose rings have been lauded for their health monitoring capabilities but criticized for their $5.99/month subscription fee that locks certain features behind a paywall. Samsung's Galaxy Ring, which launched for $400, has raised the stakes and put pressure on Apple to enter the market.
As with previous technologies, Apple is known for taking its time, observing competitors, and entering the market with a more refined product. According to industry analyst Mark Gurman, “Apple has a history of waiting for the right moment to strike, making sure their product doesn’t just meet, but exceeds, consumer expectations.”
This strategy could also work for the Apple Ring, which may capitalize on the shortcomings of current smart rings by offering more seamless integration into its existing Apple ecosystem, without the need for external subscriptions.
Photo via Stuff NZ // Samsung has already entered the smart ring market with the Galaxy Ring, along with competitor Oura, but Apple may be waiting to refine its own version.
How Much Would the Apple Ring Cost?
While the exact price is unknown, most analysts expect Apple to price its Apple Ring in the range of $300-$500. This would position it competitively with Samsung's Galaxy Ring at $400, while potentially offering better integration into Apple’s ecosystem.
A New Chapter in Wearables for Apple
If Apple does release an Apple Ring, it will likely build upon the success of the Apple Watch rather than replace it. The two wearables would cater to different segments of the market: the Watch for users who want a comprehensive, feature-rich device and the Ring for those who seek a minimal, subtle way to track their health.
Photo via DigitalTrends // Apple’s Smart Ring could be priced between $300-$500, positioning it competitively in the growing wearables market.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s possible venture into smart rings would mark yet another milestone in the evolution of wearables. While Apple isn't the first to explore this technology, history suggests that its entry will likely reshape the market, offering a polished product that could challenge the likes of Oura and Samsung. As Apple continues to push boundaries in health tracking and wearable technology, the Apple Ring might be the next game-changer in a long line of iconic devices.
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