Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy Ring has generated significant buzz in the tech industry, revealing itself to be more versatile than initially anticipated. Originally, Samsung had stated that the smart ring would only work with its Galaxy smartphones. However, recent updates suggest that the Galaxy Ring is compatible with any Android phone running Android 11 or higher, provided the device has at least 1.5GB of memory.
This expanded compatibility was confirmed by YouTuber M. Brandon Lee, who managed to pair the Galaxy Ring with a Nothing phone. Users can connect the ring by downloading the Galaxy Wearable app from the Google Play Store and following the setup instructions. The app will guide users in installing additional applications, such as Samsung Health and SmartThings, to ensure full functionality with the Galaxy Ring.
Despite this broader compatibility, some advanced features remain exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices. Features such as Find My Ring, Energy Score, Wellness Tips, and Galaxy AI are only available on Samsung phones. However, the essential functions of the Galaxy Ring, including health-tracking and notifications, are expected to work well on other Android devices.
Samsung’s official website now reflects this increased compatibility, signaling the company’s willingness to make its innovative wearable accessible to a wider audience. iOS users will need to wait for further developments, as the Galaxy Ring does not yet support iPhones.
The introduction of Samsung’s Galaxy Ring has intensified competition in the smart ring market, which has been largely dominated by Oura. Oura is preparing to respond with the Oura Ring 4, as evidenced by recent certification documents. The new design includes a raised middle section and various size options, indicating an imminent release. Although specific details about additional sensors are not yet available, the launch of the Oura Ring 4 is eagerly anticipated.