I’ve been wearing the Samsung Galaxy Ring for three weeks now – and I admit I underestimated it. Don’t get me wrong, from my first impressions of the Galaxy Ring to my official in-depth review, it has a lot of impressive benefits.
For example, unlike the Oura Ring, it doesn’t require a subscription. Second, its ability to track my stress was spot-on, with Samsung Health (the companion app)’s trend line soaring during work hours and falling during breaks.
Check my stress levels throughout the day with Samsung Health
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
In addition, except for the blood oxygen sensor and no display, it can complete almost all the functions of Apple Watch Series 9 in terms of health tracking and fitness monitoring.
Best of all, I can use the Samsung Galaxy Ring to activate a hands-free experience on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, allowing me to take photos, record videos, and snooze alarms using double-pinch gestures.
I use the double-pinch gesture to trigger the camera on the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
However, I didn’t realize how well the Samsung Galaxy Ring could access my health data and make intelligent inferences based on the information it collected about me. I thought the Samsung Galaxy Ring was great, but now I believe it’s an exciting piece of technology.
I wore the Samsung Galaxy Ring for 7 days and it stole the show from my Apple Watch Series 9
Samsung Galaxy Ring detected that I was drunk — But how?
On August 24, I checked my energy score in Samsung Health and it was only 52 points.
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
What is an energy score you ask? This is a calculation based on your sleep, physical activity, and heart rate. For example, a score of 92 is pretty good because it’s very close to 100, which is the pinnacle of health. (You’ve reached health heaven at this point.) However, a score of 52 is pretty middling.
My energy score dropped 26 points from the day before. The Samsung Health app showed that the score was negatively affected by my sleep heart rate variability and poor activity the day before.
Mix and match speed of light
However, when I read the short paragraph below my energy score, a shiver ran down my spine.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring can detect how much I drink before bed, but the question is, how?
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
“Sleep is impaired,” Samsung Health said. “REM sleep, sleep HRV, and low nighttime heart rate are critical for full recovery. However, drinking alcohol and eating late at night can have a negative impact on them. Consider changing your bedtime habits to ensure quality sleep and gradual awakening.
I couldn’t believe what I was reading. “How the hell does my Samsung Galaxy Ring know I took a swig of whiskey before bed last night?” I contacted a Samsung representative for answers.
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
“Galaxy Ring can track your sleep patterns by measuring your heart rate, blood oxygen, and skin temperature, all factors that affect your system while you sleep,” the Samsung representative told Mashable in an email. “Samsung Health app You will also be monitored for signs of abnormalities while you sleep to ensure you stay healthy and properly rested.”
Reading between the lines, it doesn’t appear that the Galaxy Ring can directly detect alcohol intake, but it can make educated guesses based on a variety of factors during sleep. All of the indicators mentioned by Samsung representatives may be affected by alcohol consumption. For example, it can alter heart rate variability and affect body temperature regulation.
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
So it’s possible that my Samsung Galaxy Ring is picking up on some irregular patterns compared to my baseline sleep data, allowing it to make intelligent inferences based on unusual deviations.
Samsung Galaxy Ring is good at providing health advice
I didn’t realize how helpful the Galaxy Ring’s health tips would be. Initially, I thought: “Now, why do I need a device that tells me I need to sleep more or be more active. Isn’t it obvious?”
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
However, there are times when I get overworked and immersed in projects, but I don’t think it’s enough to affect my health. Unfortunately, I ended up getting encouragement from Samsung Health to get some rest so my body could return to its “normal functional rhythm.”
Samsung Health criticized me for overworking myself.
Photo credit: Kimberly Gedeon/Mashable
It’s one thing to take readings like blood oxygen levels, heart rate, skin temperature, etc., but the question is, can you actually analyze that data yourself to best determine what your body needs? The answer is probably no, which makes the Samsung Galaxy Ring one of — if not the — most useful piece of tech around this The most useful tech gadget I own.
Samsung Galaxy Ring comes in nine sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13. You can buy the Samsung Galaxy Ring on Amazon for $399.
