SAMSUNG Galaxy Ring, AI Smart Ring, Size First w/Sizing Kit, No App Subscription, Fitness Monitor, Sleep Tracker, Up to 7-Day Battery, Size 9, Titanium Silver [US Version, 1Yr Manufacturer Warranty]

This is a great ring with no monthly fee like Aura, and overall, I'm really happy with it. It tracks my stress, sleep, heart rate, and energy. It's also much more comfortable to wear while sleeping compared to my Galaxy watch. The only downside is that it can get in the way during workouts. Personally, I just swap the ring for my watch and put it back on after I'm done.

I've had a Samsung Galaxy watch almost since they first came out, and I felt as though I was always compelled to look at the data and track everything, all the time. I thought that wearing the ring instead of the watch would help cut that "chatter" down in my head. I've had the ring a month and sometimes I still panic that I don't have my watch on.The good things: I think the sleep readings are actually better with the ring than the watch (this was my primary driver for the purchase). Also, you can wear the ring in the shower, washing dishes or other "wet" errands, which makes those tasks much easier to deal with. I find that I charge it twice a week rather than once a day. ( No matter what they said, I never got more than about 28 hours charge on my watch. ) My watch was bluetooth only, so I did not receive phone calls or texts on it. That (obviously) is the same as the ring. But in general, l felt as though I had to look at my watch data all the time. With the ring, the data is still there -- but it is on your phone. Looking at it is a little more intentional. My actions aren't driven by the data I see on my watch.Any cons: There are a couple of self-monitoring programs I use all the time that don't immediately connect with the Ring. While its possible that they will in the future, it is also possible that I won't really care about this in the future. These programs connect with Samsung Health, and the ring connects with Samsung Health, so the information is available for viewing if I want to see it.My adjustment period has been more in the lines of wanting to be more intentional about my use of data collecting devices. I don't think I need to monitor myself for everything, all the time. I wear a regular (old type) wristwatch for time, and take it off when I come home from work. My phone has the time on it anyway, and I do carry my phone when I'm out for a walk or a run. ( When I first got a Samsung watch, I wasn't carrying my phone all the time. ) I also like the lightness of the ring . I don't notice wearing it at all, and I just don't feel quite as tethered to a device. I wear it on my 2nd finger -- my first finger is a weird shape that doesn't seem to lend itself to a ring. Absolutely no one has commented on it, and I'm fine with that.

Alright, let's dive into the ring wars, shall we? I've got the Oura Ring 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Ring duking it out on my middle fingers, like some kind of tech-savvy gladiator match. And let me tell you, it's a battle of compromises.First off, the fit. Samsung, for all their tech prowess, has not mastered the art of "smooth." Those sensor bumps? They're like tiny speed bumps for your knuckle. Getting this thing on and off is a wrestling match, even though it's the same size as my Oura. Oura, with their bump-free design, glides on like a greased-up dolphin. Advantage: Oura.Then there's the build quality. The Samsung ring, while lightweight, feels decidedly budget-friendly. It's the kind of lightness that makes you wonder if it's made of space-age polymers or just slightly denser air. The thinness is a double-edged sword: it's comfortable, but it also means the sensor lights are more visible, like a tiny, blinking disco on your finger. And those edges? They're constantly getting caught on my jean pockets. It's less a fashion statement and more a hazard. Advantage: Oura, again.Now, let's talk about the good stuff. No monthly fees! Hallelujah! Samsung understands that we're already paying for a phone, a watch, and probably a subscription to a service that sends us artisanal socks. The data? Surprisingly similar to the Oura. So, they're both doing their job, tracking my sleep and steps and general level of "are you alive?"But the charging case? Oh, Samsung, you've redeemed yourselves. Wireless charging compatible? On a flat charger? It's like they knew I was tired of hunting for proprietary charging cables. It's a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.In the end, it's a tale of two rings. The Oura looks and feels like a premium piece of jewelry, while the Samsung feels like a prototype. I appreciate the lightness and the lack of a subscription fee, but the form factor and build quality leave much to be desired.What I really want is a hybrid: the Oura's sleek design with Samsung's free software and wireless charging case. A tech-savvy Frankenstein's monster of a ring. Maybe the Galaxy Ring 2 will deliver? Or maybe I'll just keep wearing both and confusing everyone I meet. Only time will tell.

Well, it has been 24 hours since I received my ring and started wearing it. I always midly surprised that the ring was actually smaller than the sizing ring from the kit, in terms of thinness. I wore the sizing ring for 3 days prior to getting the real deal. So far, heart rate is spot on, it tracked my sleep as well as the watch but much more comfortable, and even managed to catch me snoring for 2 minutes. The blood Ox checks with the watch. The ring went from 100% charged to 90% in 24 hours, but I also have it checking some things continuously rather then manual. I may change my mind and come back with an update but for now, a strong five stars.