Can Samsung’s new Galaxy Ring smart device help its China comeback?

The US$400 Galaxy Ring, featuring Samsung’s sensor technology for 24/7 health monitoring, has ignited consumer interest on the mainland

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The Galaxy Ring, featuring on-device artificial intelligence, marks Samsung’s latest bid to challenge Apple’s lead in the global market for smart wearable devices. Photo: Reuters

Ann Caoin Shanghai

Published: 9:00pm, 11 Jul 2024Updated: 9:38pm, 11 Jul 2024

Samsung Electronics, once the dominant smartphone player in China, is drawing fresh interest from consumers on the mainland after the South Korean tech giant unveiled on Wednesday its new smart wearable device, the US$400 titanium Galaxy Ring.

The lightweight, water-resistant smart ring – available in black, silver and gold in nine size options, and weighing from 2.3 grams to 3 grams – supports everyday wellness monitoring through its on-device artificial intelligence, which generates a user’s detailed health report that includes sleep, activity, and heart and respiratory rate, according to Samsung’s announcement at its Galaxy Unpacked event held in Paris.

The Galaxy Ring marks Samsung’s latest bid to challenge Apple’s lead in the global wearables market with an updated ecosystem of its own, including new Galaxy smartwatches launched at the same event.

Cupertino, California-based Apple remained No 1 in that market in the first quarter, despite a decline in sales of the Apple Watch and AirPods during the period, according to research firm IDC’s wearables shipment report published last month.

IDC said Xiaomi, Huawei Technologies and Samsung ranked behind Apple in global wearable device shipments.

Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Ring provides sleep analysis and a sleep artificial intelligence algorithm to help users understand their rest patterns and build better habits. Photo: Samsung

Shanghai resident and long-time iPhone user Jiang Jiayi, 30, said he is among those mainland consumers considering to buy the Galaxy Ring.