Oura Ring vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: Which Tracks Better?

Smart rings are taking over the wearable tech market in 2024. If you want to track your sleep and fitness without wearing a bulky smartwatch to bed, you are likely looking at the Oura Ring and the new Samsung Galaxy Ring. Let us break down exactly how these two top-tier devices compare.

Design, Build Quality, and Comfort

When you are wearing a device 24 hours a day, comfort is the most important factor. Both brands use durable titanium, but they take different approaches to the physical shape of the ring.

The Oura Ring Generation 3 comes in two distinct styles. The Heritage model features a classic flat-top design, while the Horizon model is perfectly round and looks like a traditional wedding band. Oura rings weigh between 4 and 6 grams depending on the size you choose.

Samsung went a different route with the Galaxy Ring. It features a slightly concave shape, meaning the middle of the ring dips inward. Samsung designed it this way to prevent surface scratches when you bump your hand against doors or desks. The Galaxy Ring is incredibly lightweight, weighing just 2.3 to 3 grams.

Key Design Differences:

• Colors: Oura offers Silver, Black, Stealth, Gold, and Rose Gold. Samsung offers Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gold.
• Charging method: Oura uses a standard plug-in charging puck. Samsung uses a clear, portable charging case with a built-in battery, similar to what you use for wireless earbuds.

Pricing and the Subscription Factor

The biggest difference between these two smart rings comes down to how you pay for them.

The Oura Ring Generation 3 starts at $299 for the Heritage model and $349 for the Horizon model. However, to see your detailed health data, you must pay a $5.99 monthly subscription fee. Without this subscription, the Oura app only shows three basic numbers: your sleep, readiness, and activity scores, with no detailed breakdowns.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring costs a flat $399. There are zero subscription fees. All of your health metrics, sleep data, and AI-driven insights live inside the free Samsung Health app.

If you do the math, buying the $299 Oura Ring plus one year of the subscription costs about $371. By the middle of your second year, the Oura Ring becomes more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

Sleep and Health Tracking Features

Smart rings are not designed to replace GPS running watches. They are built for holistic health tracking, recovery monitoring, and sleep analysis.

Oura’s Tracking Capabilities

Oura has been refining its algorithms for years, and it shows. The Oura app is famous for its Readiness Score, which looks at your sleep quality, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability (HRV) to tell you how hard you should push yourself that day.

Oura also excels at women’s health tracking. The ring measures minute changes in your skin temperature and integrates directly with Natural Cycles, an FDA-cleared birth control app.

Samsung’s Tracking Capabilities

Samsung uses its new Galaxy AI to generate a daily Energy Score. Similar to Oura’s Readiness Score, this metric analyzes your previous night of sleep, your heart rate, and your daily activity levels to score your physical condition out of 100.

The Galaxy Ring tracks your sleep stages, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature. It also features automatic workout detection for walking and running. If you start a brisk walk, the ring will automatically log the activity in Samsung Health after ten minutes.

Phone Compatibility Requirements

Your choice might be made for you depending on the smartphone currently sitting in your pocket.

The Oura Ring works seamlessly with both Apple iOS and Android devices. It can sync data to Apple Health and Google Fit, making it incredibly versatile.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring does not work with iPhones. It is strictly compatible with Android phones running Android 11.0 or higher. While it works with any modern Android device, you get the absolute best experience when paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, as certain AI features are optimized specifically for the Samsung ecosystem.

Battery Life

Both companies claim their rings can last up to 7 days on a single charge. In real-world testing, both rings typically last between 4 and 6 days, depending on how often you work out and whether you keep blood oxygen tracking turned on during sleep.

Samsung has a slight edge for travelers because of its portable charging case. You can charge the ring on the go without needing to find a wall outlet, while Oura requires you to plug its base station into a power source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear these smart rings in the shower? Yes. Both the Oura Ring and the Samsung Galaxy Ring are highly water-resistant. You can wear them in the shower, while washing dishes, or while swimming. Both are rated to withstand depths of up to 100 meters (10 ATM).

Do smart rings track weightlifting accurately? Smart rings struggle with exercises that require you to grip heavy objects, like barbells or dumbbells. The pressure of the bar pushes the ring away from your skin, which often results in inaccurate heart rate readings. You also risk scratching the titanium finish. It is best to take them off during heavy lifting.

Which ring is better for iPhone users? If you use an iPhone, the Oura Ring is your only option between these two. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is not compatible with Apple devices.

How do I know what size ring to buy? Both Oura and Samsung offer sizing kits. When you place an order, the company mails you a box of plastic replica rings in different sizes. You should wear the plastic ring on your index or middle finger for 24 hours to account for natural finger swelling before confirming your final size online.