Oura continues to dominate the smart ring market—at least until Apple decides to make its move—but two rivals are adopting distinct strategies for their new offerings.
The French company Circular has faced challenges, primarily due to its plastic design and lack of wireless charging, but it has resolved these issues with its latest model…
Oura Still Reigns Supreme
Oura was the pioneer in the smart ring category and maintains its status as the clear market leader with approximately 49% market share, leaving its competitors fighting for a few percentage points.
Now in its fourth generation, Oura’s app has seen significant enhancements alongside the latest hardware. In fact, the app is so user-friendly that it changed my usual aversion to subscription models.
However, other brands are striving to catch up.
Circular Attempts a Comeback with AFib Detection
One of the notable features of the Apple Watch is its ability to detect early signs of AFib, or atrial fibrillation—a serious heart condition that can be life-threatening. This capability is one of the many reasons Apple’s smartwatch has been credited with saving lives. Here are just a few examples:
Detecting AFib using a smart ring presents more challenges, but Circular has addressed this, as reported by TNW.
Circular has replaced the plastic casing of the previous model with titanium, available in four finishes: black, silver, gold, and rose gold. The ring’s sensors have undergone a significant upgrade, leading to more precise readings, according to the company.
Additionally, they have moved from a USB charger to a wireless charging dock. The Ring 2 boasts an impressive battery life of up to eight days—one extra day compared to the Oura Ring.
The standout feature—a first for smart rings—is the incorporation of an FDA-cleared atrial fibrillation (AFib) sensor that monitors the electrical activity of your heart, including rate and rhythm.
The Circular Ring 2 will launch as a crowdfunded project later this month, with shipments expected in March. The starting price will be $380.
Ultrahuman Rare: Priced at $1,900 or $2,200
Ultrahuman is taking a notably different direction with its new Rare models. According to The Verge:
The desert rose and dune rings are crafted from 18-karat gold sourced from the London Bullion Market Association, retailing for $1,900. The desert snow ring, on the other hand, is made from pt950 platinum—renowned for its purity and prestige—and is priced at $2,200.
As noted by Victoria Song from the site, this mirrors the strategy Apple attempted but ultimately abandoned with the original Apple Watch Edition: charging a significant premium for a precious metal on a device that may only have a lifespan of one to three years before being overshadowed by newer models.
As for availability—who really cares?
Image: Ultrahuman
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