Oura continues to dominate the smart ring market – at least until Apple makes its move – but two emerging competitors are launching their distinct models.
The French company Circular has faced challenges due to its plastic build and lack of wireless charging, but its latest version addresses both shortcomings.
Oura Still Reigns Supreme
Oura was the pioneer of the smart ring concept and remains the leading player with a significant 49% market share, while its rivals compete for the remaining fragments.
Now in its fourth generation, Oura’s app has evolved just as much as the hardware, and it has impressed me enough to outweigh my usual reservations regarding subscription models.
Nonetheless, other brands are striving to challenge its supremacy.
Circular’s New AFib Detection Initiative
A key feature of the Apple Watch is its capability to provide early detection of AFib (atrial fibrillation) – a serious heart condition that can be life-threatening. The Apple smartwatch has been praised for its role in potentially saving lives through such features. Here are a few examples:
Monitoring AFib with a smart ring is a more complex challenge, but Circular appears to have made significant strides, as reported by TNW.
Circular has replaced the plastic shell of the previous ring with a titanium design, available in four finishes: black, silver, gold, and rose gold. The upgraded sensors have been thoroughly revamped for improved accuracy, according to the company.
Additionally, Circular has moved away from the USB charger, now offering a wireless charging dock. The Ring 2 boasts an impressive battery life of up to eight days, surpassing Oura’s by one day.
The standout feature—a first for smart rings—is the FDA-cleared atrial fibrillation (AFib) sensor capable of monitoring the heart’s electrical activity, including rate and rhythm.
The Circular Ring 2 is set to launch a crowdfunding campaign later this month, with shipping expected in March. Its starting price is $380.
Ultrahuman Rare: $1,900 or $2,200
Ultrahuman takes a markedly different route with its new Rare models, as reported by The Verge:
The new desert rose and dune rings are crafted from 18-karat gold “sourced from the London Bullion Market Association,” priced at $1,900. Meanwhile, the desert snow ring, “meticulously crafted from pt950 platinum, a metal of exceptional purity and prestige,” is set at $2,200.
As noted by Victoria Song of the same publication, this strategy mirrors Apple’s initial efforts with the original Apple Watch Edition, which ultimately had to pivot away from charging a high premium for a precious metal on a rapidly evolving device.
As for availability, it seems largely irrelevant.
Image: Ultrahuman
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