Ultrahuman Ring Air vs Samsung Galaxy Ring: Which One to Choose?

The smart ring arena continues to heat up, with new competitors joining the scene on a regular basis. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is one of the first finger trackers from a well-established wearable brand, and it offers a useful integration into Samsung’s ecosystem. The Ultrahuman Ring Air enters the fray with a lightweight design and an exceptional user experience. To take a closer look at the pros and cons of each device, we compare the Ultrahuman Ring Air to the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

At first glance, both the Ultrahuman and Samsung offer shoppers a clean, minimalist fitness tracker designed to pair with traditional jewelry. The Air’s biggest selling point is that it’s actually quite comfortably lightweight, weighing in at 2.4 to 3.6 grams (depending on size). That’s similar to the Galaxy Ring, despite the Air being a bit wider. I found the Air to be a bit more comfortable, though, thanks to its smoother interior (fewer bulging sensors). The device comes in five color options: Raw Titanium, Aster Black, Matte Gray, Bionic Gold, and Space Silver. It’s also available in sizes 6 to 12.

The Galaxy Ring has a slightly narrower 7mm strap and a thin 2.6mm design. The sides of the ring are concave to create a slimmer visual impression. The device is available in gold, silver, and black in sizes 5 to 13. Interestingly, rumors suggest that the company may add two additional sizes to the lineup as well.

Both Samsung and Ultrahuman use size kits to help buyers buy the right size. The process involves trying on plastic models of each ring size to determine which one to order for your official device.

The Ultrahuman Ring Air and Galaxy Ring track a variety of useful health and fitness metrics, including heart rate, HRV, stress, sleep, temperature, and SpO2, as well as basics like steps, distance, and calories. These devices also automatically track a limited number of workouts, but during my review periods, I found that both platforms needed some work when it came to activity tracking.

In addition to collecting all the usual metrics, the Ultrahuman companion app analyzes user data to create helpful, overall scores. This includes a comprehensive Sleep Index and Movement Index, as well as a Dynamic Recovery Score and a Stress Rhythm Score. These scores, as well as personalized sleep and activity goals, help users digest the data and provide actionable insights. Still, the app isn’t entirely accessible, and can feel both overwhelming and inadequate.

Additional app features include access to workouts and educational content, the ability to sync Ring Air with the brand’s M1 monitor for metabolic insights, and the option to create friend groups within the Ultrahuman app. At the forefront of the Ultrahuman Ring Air experience is PowerPlugs, an app store-like platform that lets users access additional tools and features, from atrial fibrillation detection to cycle tracking and more. Some of these additional tools are free, while others require a fee.

The Galaxy Ring collects user data in Samsung Health, the same companion app used by the Galaxy Watch line. The app isn’t particularly detailed or robust, but Samsung does a good job of presenting users with basic information. Samsung’s latest ecosystem improvements include a new metric called Energy score, which leans toward a more holistic approach to tracking wellness, and additions to the platform’s sleep tracking offerings. With a Samsung phone, Galaxy Ring users can also access Samsung’s AI-generated wellness tips.

In fact, the Galaxy Ring offers Galaxy or Galaxy Watch users a particularly solid experience, as many of the ring’s features can only be used within the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem. For example, Galaxy phone users can rely on a double pinch gesture on the ring to control the phone’s camera and turn off alarms. They can also use Samsung Find My to locate the ring and turn on the LED lights. Galaxy Watch users can wear the ring and watch at the same time, and the Samsung Health app will automatically combine all the recorded data. It will also prioritize which sensors to record data from to extend battery life by up to 30%.

My favorite distinguishing feature of the Samsung Galaxy Ring over the Ultrahuman Ring Air is its device charging case. The Ultrahuman Ring Air charges on a cradle-style charger using a USB-C cable. The Galaxy Ring, on the other hand, uses a flip charging case that has its own built-in battery. Without a power outlet nearby, the case can charge the Galaxy Ring from 0 to 100% 1.5 times before it needs to recharge itself. This means easier charging on the go. While the Ultrahuman Ring Air claims up to six days of battery life between charges, the ring lasted less than four days during my review. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Ring also fell short of its promises, landing at around the same four-day mark.

Technically, both Samsung and Ultrahuman are offering subscription-free smartwatch experiences on the Ring (at least for now), but both have pretty steep asking prices. The Ultrahuman Ring Air costs $349 at checkout, with the option to add a personal engraving for an additional $39. The Galaxy Ring is available for a hefty one-time fee of $399. That’s certainly pricey, especially compared to the company’s full-fledged smartwatches that offer more substantial experiences. The Air and Galaxy Ring are available directly from Ultrahuman.com and Samsung.com, respectively, as well as from third-party retailers like Amazon. As mentioned, the Ultrahuman Ring Air offers the PowerPlugs platform, with additional tools available for an additional fee. Rumors also suggest that the Galaxy Ring may not remain a subscription-free device forever.

Neither the Ultrahuman Ring Air nor the Galaxy Ring are without their flaws. In my testing, both devices struggled with accuracy and battery life. However, the rings are extremely comfortable and offer a wide range of basic health and activity tracking features, especially for such a small form factor. Anyone interested in passive wellness monitoring and discreet night-time tracking will be happy with a smart ring. For Samsung users, I recommend the Samsung Galaxy Ring. The device offers exceptional ecosystem integration, as well as an accessible and familiar companion app experience thanks to Samsung Health. I particularly like the ring’s charging case, and I think the device has a lot to offer considering its branded support.

If you’re an iOS user, though, the Samsung Galaxy Ring isn’t an option. Even if you have an Android phone, the Ultrahuman Ring Air is worth considering if it’s not specifically a Samsung phone. The company’s PowerPlugs platform is a unique path with huge potential, and it’s clear that Ultrahuman has big plans for further expansion. The device’s accuracy isn’t what I’d like, but I’m hopeful that we’ll see improvements over time.