Smart Ring Market Expands as Wearables Pivot to AI Coaching
AI-generated image · US National Wire
New entries from Samsung and RingConn challenge Oura's dominance in a category shifting toward passive health monitoring and AI-driven insights.
The smart ring market is diversifying as tech giants and startups challenge the early dominance of Finnish pioneer Oura. According to reporting from Wired, the category has expanded beyond early adopters to include offerings from Samsung, RingConn, Ultrahuman, and Amazfit.
Oura's latest model, the Ring 5 (starting at $399), features a titanium exterior and redesigned sensors intended to improve signal detection and accuracy. Wired notes that the Ring 5 is 40% smaller than the previous version and offers battery life of up to nine days. The device has shifted focus toward AI-powered guidance via the Oura Advisor, which provides personalized recommendations and identifies long-term data patterns. New capabilities include nighttime breathing insights and blood pressure signals.
Other notable market entries include the Samsung Galaxy Ring, priced at $395, and the RingConn Gen 2 Air, which is positioned as a subscription-free alternative at $199.
Despite these advancements, Wired reports that these devices remain limited for high-performance athletes, noting that the Oura Ring 5 lacks built-in GPS and is not the ideal choice for those requiring live workout statistics. While the industry is moving toward more sophisticated health interventions—including meal logging, cycle tracking, and sleep apnea detection—the utility of these features often depends on companion apps and, in Oura's case, a subscription model that Wired describes as feeling "mandatory."