all the rumors so far and what we want to see

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The smart ring category is hot right now, but is Apple ready to get in on the action on its own?

In the last few months we’ve seen the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the RingConn Smart Ring, while the Oura Ring (now in its third generation) is the long-standing frontrunner in the race for the best smart rings. Rumors that Apple might be tempted to join the party have been circulating for a few years now, and it appears that Apple is at least somewhat in the planning stages of this form factor.

Here we have compiled everything we know and think we know about the so-called Apple Ring: the leaks and rumors that have surfaced, the predicted price, the possible release date and more. We’ve also added some of the features and specs we’d like to see from the Apple Ring.

Apple Ring: in a nutshell

• What is that? A supposed smart ring made by Apple

• When might it appear? TBC, but not before 2025

• How much could it cost? Expect to pay $399 / £399 / AU$750 or more

Apple Ring: price and release date predictions

We don’t have much indication of how much the Apple Ring might cost, but we can take a look at some of the other options on the market. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is available for $399 / £399 and up (Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed), while the Oura Ring 3 is available for $299 / £299 and up (and is not currently available in Australia).

That gives you an idea of ​​the price points we’re talking about. Apple wants to stay competitive, but (as its best iPhones show) it’s not afraid to put a price premium on its products. If we had to guess, we’d say the Apple Ring will be slightly more expensive than its competitors from Samsung and Oura.

Also keep in mind that the best Oura Ring features require a monthly subscription ($5.99 / £5.99 per month). Apple already has the Fitness Plus program that you can sign up for if you own an Apple Watch ($9.99 / £9.99 / AU$14.99 per month). Therefore, it is quite possible that this is also an optional extra for the smart ring.

When it comes to a release date, 2024 and even 2025 seem unlikely given the frequency of leaks and rumors we’ve seen so far; It doesn’t appear that a launch is imminent. We didn’t see an Apple Ring alongside the Apple Watch 10 at the It’s Glowtime event in September 2024, but there’s a chance it could join the Apple Watch 11 in September 2025 if the device shows up as expected.

Apple Ring: Leaks and Rumors

The Apple Ring rumors go back a long way, at least to 2020. A patent filed by Apple this year showed that a smart ring would be used to control other devices – with the idea that you could potentially control the channels on your Apple TV could switch by tapping your ring. Of course, patents aren’t always a guarantee of future products, but they show what companies are thinking about and researching.

In 2023, Apple again filed smart ring patents that positioned its potential device as a type of controller for other devices. It seems that each Apple Ring that appears will not only focus on health and fitness, but will also give you new ways to control features on your other Apple devices.

It seems that Apple isn’t limiting itself to finger-mounted wearables either. Another patent from 2023 revealed plans for a type of apple anklet that could be worn around the ankle or around the neck. The success of the Apple Watch is obviously causing Apple to think about how you can track more fitness metrics.

Meanwhile, an industry report out of South Korea suggested in early 2024 that an Apple smart ring was on the way to take on the likes of Samsung and Oura. However, since nothing has emerged in the past few months, either the report’s sources were mistaken or Apple has changed its mind about the future product launch schedule.

We saw another sign that an Apple Ring could be on the way: an Apple survey sent to Apple Watch owners asking how many of them currently wear a smart ring alongside their smartwatch. It may be a bit of a stretch to use this as evidence of an Apple Ring, but it’s not nothing.

And that’s it for the Apple Ring rumors – no hint of pricing, specs, design or anything like that. The lack of details in the rumors suggests that a release could still be some way off, although there was enough excitement at this point to suggest that it is at least being considered.

Apple Ring: What we want to see

If an Apple Ring is indeed on the way, what will it look like – and how might it beat existing models? If Apple engineers are reading this, here’s what we want from an Apple Smart Ring.

1. Excellent battery life

Of course, this shows up on every wish list for every device, but decent battery life is a must – especially since the standard Apple Watch won’t last more than a day or two without a charge. In fact, that could be a major selling point for the Apple Ring: continue to track your steps and other activities while your Apple Watch is charging.

2. Premium sleep tracking

Speaking of charging the Apple Watch, many users charge their watch overnight. This means that the smartwatch often cannot be used for sleep tracking, and we hope the Apple Ring can do this very well. In addition, due to its smaller size and lighter weight, a smart ring is better suited for tracking movements while you sleep.

3. Lots of software features without a subscription

We’ve already mentioned Apple Fitness Plus, but we hope that many of the features of an Apple Ring are available without a subscription – like with the Apple Watch. And for those who want additional features like fitness videos, workout plan customizations, in-session metrics, and more, there could be an additional subscription option.

4. A superior design

There are really only so many ways to design a smart ring, but we hope Apple gives the Apple Ring the same aesthetic flavor as shown on the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. We’re thinking about a super slim and super light form factor, a choice of different colors and a smart ring that is one of the most comfortable on the market.

5. Seamless integration of the Apple ecosystem

Apple usually does this perfectly, with iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches constantly getting new integrations and connections – so we’re hoping this extends to Apple Ring too. It’s unlikely that Apple wants the Smart Ring to replace the Apple Watch, and in fact it could be a useful screen for it (remember, Oura also has an Apple Watch app).

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