Black Shark, a Chinese gaming tech company backed by Xiaomi, recently unveiled its new smart ring, the “Black Shark Ring.” The wearable device features a battery that can last 180 days on a single charge and a slim profile, measuring just 2.2 mm thick, which is thinner than the current leader in the smart ring market, the Oura Ring Generation 3.
The smart ring market is heating up as Chinese and Indian wearable device manufacturers are set to launch a series of new smart ring products this year, according to Gizmochina and multiple people in the wearable device industry on April 17. The latest products boast powerful hardware performance and are packed with health monitoring sensors that track heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and body temperature. With Samsung Electronics planning to release its “Galaxy Ring” in July, the battle for market leadership is expected to intensify.
Chinese smart wearables company Zepp Health’s smartwatch brand Amazfit is set to launch the “Amazfit Helio Ring” in the first half of this year. Amazfit ranked fifth in the global smartwatch market, according to market research firm Counterpoint.
Amazfit’s upcoming smart ring is made of titanium, which is known for its durability and lightness. It weighs only 4 grams, making it easy to wear, and is water-resistant up to a depth of 100 meters. The Helio Ring is equipped with an app that can track running distances and sleep patterns, and features an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that offers health advice.
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor also revealed plans to release a smart ring. At the Mobile World Congress (MWC), which took place in Spain in February, Honor CEO George Zhao said the company has “developed an internal solution for smart rings and is actively working towards its launch.”
Noise, an Indian wearable watch manufacturer, is preparing for the global launch of its “Luna Ring”, initially released only in the Indian market last July. Noise is the third largest smartwatch company in the world. The Luna Ring monitors sleep quality and detects movement during sleep. It analyzes sleep patterns to predict and alert users about potential sleep disruptions. The ring can last up to five days on a single charge.
Samsung Electronics and other global wearable device manufacturers are hoping the smart ring market will finally gain momentum this year. Smart rings are easier to wear and more affordable than other wearable devices, such as smartwatches. The smart ring market is projected to grow from $5 million in 2022 to $23 million by 2030, according to market research firm Research & Markets.
“Smart rings tend to feature similar functions, so launching products before competition to gain market share is crucial,” said Nam Sang-wook, an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. “Chinese and Indian companies have an advantage to their competitive pricing strategies.”
