Apple Ring Canceled? Here’s Everything Fans Need to Know

The Apple Ring has been a hotly anticipated product for many years following Oura’s successes in this sector and Samsung’s more recent entry with the Galaxy Ring.

Apple has traditionally adopted strategic patience, observing a technology’s success and market acceptance before making its entry. This ethos can be found in Tim Cook’s motto of “be best, not first.”

However, several factors have now made the release of any smart ring from Apple doubtful.

We’ve conducted a sweep of the latest news surfacing, which poses the question – will there be an Apple Ring?

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Is the Apple Ring?
3. Has the Apple Ring Been Canceled?
4. Why Has the Apple Ring Been Canceled?
5. How Was the Apple Ring Shaping Up?
6. Everything Else We Knew About Apple Smart Ring
7. FAQs
8. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. What Is the Apple Ring?
3. Has the Apple Ring Been Canceled?
Show Full Guide
4. Why Has the Apple Ring Been Canceled?
5. How Was the Apple Ring Shaping Up?
6. Everything Else We Knew About Apple Smart Ring
7. FAQs
8. References

What Is the Apple Ring?

The Apple Ring is an unreleased wearable device similar to those produced by Oura and Samsung. These wearables allow users to track a range of health metrics, activity, and sleep.

Based on what is currently available, this kind of device typically has a lightweight titanium design and is available in various colors and finishes. It is normally water- and scratch-resistant.

Of the two main competitors, Oura targets sleep and recovery tracking. It offers insights into your sleep quality, including sleep stages and readiness. It also monitors the user’s heart rate, body temperature, and activity levels. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Ring does sleep and activity tracking but is geared more toward overall health metrics. It tracks stress, menstrual cycle, blood oxygen levels, and food and water intake. Both also include app integration and offer AI advice and tips on health and wellness.

In March 2022, Oura revealed sales surpassing one million rings; however, its most recent version has faced scrutiny following the introduction of a $5.99 monthly subscription fee, which restricted access to users’ health data behind a financial barrier. This represented an ideal opportunity for Samsung and (it was assumed) Apple to make a move.

Has the Apple Ring Been Canceled?

In October 2024, Mark Gurman revealed that the Apple Ring had been canceled.

This comes as a surprise given the years of speculation, not to mention the numerous patents that could relate to such a product. Despite what some claim to be two decades of research into the technology, it may never see the light of day.

“Apple isn’t actively developing a ring and has no plans to launch one,” stated Mark Gurman, “[it] would detract from the Apple Watch.”

“[Apple] has no reason to cannibalize a product that still has room to grow and is the envy of the fitness-tracking industry.”

In a similar vein, Tom Hale, CEO of Oura, told CNBC that he doesn’t think Apple will enter the space. “I think they [Apple] are unconvinced about the value of having a ring and a watch together, and they’re not interested in undercutting the Apple Watch as a business,” Hale told CNBC in a November 12, 2024, interview at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal.

“I think they’re probably keeping a close eye on Samsung and a close eye on us, but it’s hard to do this product category right.”

Why Has the Apple Ring Been Canceled?

On the one hand, there is plenty of evidence that an Apple Ring would succeed given the global smart ring market’s forecasted surge, with expectations for it to grow over 29% by 2028 and reach a valuation of $1.1 billion. However, as Gurman reported, Apple execs believe such a release would detract from its Apple Watch.

It’s been suggested that an Apple Ring could complement the Apple Watch and provide more accurate health tracking.

Moreover, Apple has been granted various patents, including one titled “Devices and Methods for a Ring Computing Device,” and has done extensive research into gesture control, suggesting it could also be used alongside the Apple Vision Pro.

This suggests that the technological case for the Apple Ring could be made, but Apple has decided that the gamble may not be worth it. At least not for the time being.

How Was the Apple Ring Shaping Up?

Apple Insider revealed details behind a newly granted patent titled “Skin-To-Skin Contact Detection” that hints at Apple’s exploration of gesture and contact detection technologies.

The patent suggests that the Apple Smart Ring specs could help it recognize interactions between different body parts or even between fingers while wearing such a device.

This suggests a broader application, extending beyond mere wristwear to a more nuanced understanding of user gestures and movements, signaling Apple’s ambition to redefine wearable technology. A potential scenario was the Apple TV 4K fourth generation (which may arrive with cameras) being controlled by the Apple Ring using gesture support.

Repeat that idea for the Apple Vision Pro 2 — why would anyone need clunky hand controllers if they are wearing a smart ring?

Apple’s smart ring could have also integrated into the ecosystem in other ways, offering a suite of features without additional apps and subscriptions.

Prospective functionalities include sleep and fitness tracking, mobile payments via Apple Pay, and unique caller identification phone feedback.

Alas, Apple does not appear to share these sentiments.

Everything Else We Knew About Apple Smart Ring

In a world with both an Apple Smart Ring and an Apple Watch, the Apple Ring could fill in the gaps the watch does not cater to.

The Apple Watch’s tracking features, like heart rate monitoring, ECG, and oxygen saturation, have been popular with health enthusiasts. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some users find the daily ritual of wearing a watch and nightly charging cumbersome. By contrast, a smart ring is a subtler, more discreet alternative for those interested in crucial health data without the bulkiness of a watch. It offers a streamlined experience, focusing on essential health metrics, and appeals to users who prioritize simplicity and convenience or those who find wearing a watch uncomfortable or impractical, especially during sleep.

The Apple Smart Ring could have also attracted those looking for a less intrusive wearable that blends seamlessly into their lifestyle. Unlike the Apple Watch, which demands frequent charging, a smart ring would include extended battery life due to its lack of a display and simpler functionality.

Syncing health data, such as blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and heart rate monitoring, without requiring constant device interaction also appeals to users seeking a more passive approach to health tracking.

Ultimately, the debate between the Apple Watch and a potential Smart Ring centers on the user’s lifestyle and convenience preferences. The Watch offers comprehensive health tracking with immediate data sync. At the same time, a Smart Ring promises a less intrusive, longer-lasting option for continuous health monitoring without daily charging.

Buying a Smart Ring could offer flexibility and a more comfortable, discreet alternative to 24/7 health tracking at a more affordable price.

If the Smart Ring can understand the differences between an elbow, an arm, chest crossing, or knee tapping, it could have served as a brand new user interface for interacting with your devices.

From pausing TV by tapping your chest to changing a music track by tapping an elbow, the ring could offer a version of extended reality that blends real-life gestures unobtrusively and instinctively into the digital playground.

FAQs