At its Unpacked event in Paris today, Samsung presented a whole arsenal of new devices. The biggest innovation is very small: With the Galaxy Ring, the Koreans want to wrap smart electronics around our fingers. Brilliant or crazy? We tried it out.
Galaxy Ring: Fitness tracker and health monitor on your finger
The Galaxy Ring is the first smart ring from a major manufacturer. It is designed to help you keep an eye on your fitness and health – like a fitness tracker or a smart watch, only much smaller. From the outside, it looks deceptively similar to a normal wedding ring of the thicker variety, is 2.6 millimeters thick and 7 millimeters wide. There isn't even a display. The clever technology is hidden in small sensors inside the ring.
These record the heart rate and indirectly also the oxygen content in the blood, track movement and skin temperature. When connected wirelessly (Bluetooth) to a Samsung cell phone, training and movement are recorded, the current fitness level and the quality and length of sleep at night are determined. Women can also use them to track their cycle. If the heart rate is too high or too low, there is a warning in the cell phone app.
The Galaxy Ring is available in three colors (black, silver, gold) and different sizes
The ring does not necessarily have to be on the ring finger. Samsung explicitly recommends the index finger because the measurement is supposedly particularly reliable there. In the practical test, however, the ring was particularly uncomfortable there because the muscles on the index finger are more pronounced and press against the ring from the inside every time it is bent.
The Galaxy Ring comes in a stylish packaging that also serves as a charging case
Considering its size, the ring is surprisingly light. If you think that the Galaxy Ring is made of plastic, you are completely wrong. The surface is made of titanium and is available in three different colors (gold, silver, black). The casing is dust, water and submersible (IP68, 10 ATM). The ring is supposed to last seven days on one battery charge, and there is a transparent charging case for charging. The price is not cheap: 449 euros. It's good that you can track down a lost ring using a watch or smartphone.
If you prefer something a little cheaper, other companies also offer similar products. For example, Oura (from 329 euros), RingConn (289 euros) or AmazFit (299 euros).
Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung's answer to Apple
The second highlight is a new smartwatch. The Galaxy Watch Ultra is reminiscent of the Apple Watch Ultra in many details: orange strap and action button, rectangular titanium case.
Ergo: The Galaxy Watch Ultra is the smartwatch for everyone who has always wanted an Apple Watch Ultra – but doesn't have an iPhone. The similarities are so great that you wonder why Samsung continues to install a round display in the square case. But the whole thing could actually be a bit bulky on slim wrists.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is very reminiscent of the Apple Watch Ultra
The basic functions are identical to the also newly introduced normal Galaxy Watch 7, which is significantly slimmer, lighter and less spectacular – and with prices starting at 319 euros for the small 40 mm version (44 mm: 349 euros, with LTE 399 euros) is significantly cheaper than the Galaxy Watch Ultra for 699 euros.
Folding phones with new technology
No surprise, but the new folding phones are also packed with the latest technology. The smaller model, the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which has been upgraded compared to its predecessor with a more powerful processor and a new 50-megapixel camera, could find many fans. It seems like a rebirth of the classic flip phone. When closed, it disappears even in normal trouser pockets. But when opened, a lavish 6.7-inch display is revealed.
COMPUTER BILD reporter Christian Just with the new Samsung folding phones at the presentation of the devices in Paris
The first practical test revealed an important improvement that Samsung itself has kept secret until now: the annoying dent at the fold point on the predecessor is now barely noticeable and is no longer as noticeable visually. The highlight of the Flip remains the external display, which allows selfies to be taken when the device is closed using the good main camera instead of the simple selfie camera on the internal display.
Price: Starting at 1199 euros with 256 GB. The larger folding model Z Fold 6 resembles a mini tablet that can be folded up. The huge internal display (7.6 inches) is impressive, for example for office work or photos. But even the latest Food model is still too thick when folded up – and with prices ranging from 1999 euros (256 GB) to 2599 euros (1024 GB) it is quite expensive.