Apple unlikely to enter smart ring market as focus stays on Apple Watch, says Oura CEO
Nov 14, 2024, 14:48 IST
Apple is unlikely to enter the smart ring market, despite Samsung’s recent foray and growing consumer interest. Oura CEO Tom Hale, speaking at Lisbon’s Web Summit as per a CNBC report, shared his view that Apple remains focused on the Apple Watch as its core wearable device and is “unconvinced” of a smart ring’s value alongside it. With Apple prioritising health tech advancements through its watch, Hale believes the tech giant may view a smart ring as conflicting with its established wearables strategy.
Oura, a pioneer in smart rings since 2013, recently launched its latest Oura Ring 4, a device designed for continuous health tracking. These rings are compact, packed with sensors, and popular for their all-day comfort and lengthy battery life, especially during sleep. The smart ring’s rising popularity underscores a shift in user preference toward lightweight, dedicated health-monitoring wearables, offering comfort and continuous use—features not always feasible with smartwatches.
While smart rings and smartwatches serve similar health-monitoring functions, Hale emphasised that Apple has its sights set firmly on refining and expanding its watch’s capabilities, rather than adding a ring to its lineup. He pointed to Apple’s deliberate strategy to maintain the Apple Watch as its primary platform in health-tech wearables, showcasing Apple’s preference for depth within one category over product diversification.
Samsung’s recent entry has shone a spotlight on the potential of rings to rival smartwatches in the wearable health market. Industry analysts speculate that Apple’s watch-centric approach might shift if rings continue gaining traction. However, for now, the company is monitoring competitors without immediate plans to launch a ring, as suggested by Hale.
Oura’s recent product update intensifies competition within the wearable sector, making smart rings an appealing option for health-conscious users who prioritise both functionality and comfort. Whether or not Apple chooses to follow suit in the future, smart rings are carving out a promising niche, offering users a streamlined approach to health tracking while steering the wearable tech sector into new territory.
Advertisement
Oura, a pioneer in smart rings since 2013, recently launched its latest Oura Ring 4, a device designed for continuous health tracking. These rings are compact, packed with sensors, and popular for their all-day comfort and lengthy battery life, especially during sleep. The smart ring’s rising popularity underscores a shift in user preference toward lightweight, dedicated health-monitoring wearables, offering comfort and continuous use—features not always feasible with smartwatches.
While smart rings and smartwatches serve similar health-monitoring functions, Hale emphasised that Apple has its sights set firmly on refining and expanding its watch’s capabilities, rather than adding a ring to its lineup. He pointed to Apple’s deliberate strategy to maintain the Apple Watch as its primary platform in health-tech wearables, showcasing Apple’s preference for depth within one category over product diversification.
Samsung’s recent entry has shone a spotlight on the potential of rings to rival smartwatches in the wearable health market. Industry analysts speculate that Apple’s watch-centric approach might shift if rings continue gaining traction. However, for now, the company is monitoring competitors without immediate plans to launch a ring, as suggested by Hale.
Oura’s recent product update intensifies competition within the wearable sector, making smart rings an appealing option for health-conscious users who prioritise both functionality and comfort. Whether or not Apple chooses to follow suit in the future, smart rings are carving out a promising niche, offering users a streamlined approach to health tracking while steering the wearable tech sector into new territory.
Advertisement