(Image credit: Getty Images) Jump to:
Smart rings may look like an accessory, but you shouldn’t judge them by their looks alone. These tiny devices are equipped with advanced sensors and sophisticated software that can track your heart rate, sleep quality, and other health parameters that are typically monitored with a smartwatch. Smart rings are also lightweight, discreet, and arguably more stylish than bulky wrist devices. It’s no wonder these cutting-edge technologies are generating a lot of interest in the tech world.
Smart rings have been around for less than a decade, but they have already established themselves as some of the best fitness trackers on the market, including popular models like the Oura and Ultrahuman AIR Ring. Big companies like Samsung and Amazfit have already released their own versions of smart rings, and even Apple is rumored to be planning to do the same (though that's unlikely anytime soon).
These little tech innovations seem to have a bright future. But how accurate are smart rings and how do they compare to fitness watches? We asked the experts.
Smart rings are less functional at the moment
Smart rings often have fewer tracking capabilities than smart watches. For example, they can’t plot a running route, automatically recognize workouts, or count sets and reps when doing strength exercises (due to the lack of sophisticated motion sensors or built-in GPS). In this regard, wrist-mounted devices are still the preferred choice for fitness enthusiasts, and that’s likely not going to change anytime soon.
However, smart rings have yet to reach their full potential, and that's important to note before we dive into the topic.
The creators of the smart ring have not yet said their last word.
Dr. Robert Sakin, a patent attorney and engineer with extensive experience in medical technology, told Live Science that smart rings are growing rapidly. “This is evident in the significant increase in patent applications for the Oura Ring. The first generation of the Oura Ring was introduced in 2015 on Kickstarter. In the last full calendar year [2024], there were 88 U.S. patent applications filed for the Oura Ring,” Sakin said.
Scientists are constantly improving tracking technologies and developing new biometric solutions, so in the near future
Sourse: www.livescience.com
