"Trying to Imitate Samsung"... Apple Ultimately Abandons This 'Ring'

Samsung's 'Galaxy Ring' Expected to Dominate
But Market Size Itself May Shrink

There are observations that Apple has effectively given up on launching a smart ring.

'Apple Ring' Expected Image
Photo by MyMac

Foreign media, citing Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who is well-versed in Apple news, reported that Apple has decided not to release a smart ring. This internal decision was made out of concern that the target audiences for the Apple Watch and the smart ring overlap, which could negatively impact Apple Watch sales. Mark Gurman evaluated, "It may be disappointing for consumers who were expecting Apple's smart ring, but from a business perspective, it is a reasonable and strategic decision."

With Apple making this decision, the smart ring market is expected to be a solo stage for Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Ring for some time. The strong interest in the Galaxy Ring has already been confirmed. In July, the initial stock of the Galaxy Ring, which was available for pre-order on Samsung Electronics' official US website, sold out within six days. There are many complaints expressing disbelief that it sold out despite being a pre-order.

The initial stock of the Galaxy Ring, which was available for pre-order on Samsung Electronics' official US website in July, has been sold out.

Although this solo stage was anticipated, it is not something to be entirely celebrated. With Apple giving up on 'joining the battle,' there are expected limits to the growth of the smart ring market, which has rapidly emerged as a new category in wearables. Industry insiders have analyzed that "while it succeeded in attracting explosive interest immediately after launch, the sales volume quickly cooled to a level that makes the interest insignificant." The Galaxy Ring is priced at 499,400 KRW. It is expected to track heart rate, activity, and sleep, as well as support wireless payments and control Samsung devices, but the appeal justifying a price close to 500,000 KRW has not yet been felt by consumers.

Xiaomi has been selling the smart ring 'Black Shark' in China since April for about 110,000 KRW. Finnish company Oura officially launched its new product, the 'Oura Ring 4,' on the 3rd and began full-scale sales. The Oura Ring collects user activity data and can measure heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep quality.