Apple abandons Smart Ring project to prevent cannibalization of Apple Watch sales: report

Ever since Samsung launched its first-ever wearable ring, the Galaxy Ring, there have been rumors that Apple might have such plans as well. However, a new report highlights that the Cupertino tech giant has abandoned plans for a smart ring. This is said to be intended to prevent cannibalization of sales of the Apple Watch, which remains the primary health and fitness-focused wearable device as well as a companion to the iPhone.

Apple Smart Ring project abandoned

In recent years, Apple’s patents were discovered for a smart ring that would be equipped not only with health and fitness monitoring sensors, but also those focused on better hand detection in Apple Vision Pro – the company’s first-ever mixed reality headset. At the time, it was suggested that this smart ring could also be a screenless alternative to the Apple Watch and would be available at a lower price. However, this may no longer be included in the company’s plans.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple has abandoned its smart ring project. It’s not in “active development” of a smart ring to replace the Apple Watch as a low-cost alternative due to the risk that the purported device cannibalize the company’s smartwatch sales. Within the company, Apple Watch is considered a “leader” in the fitness tracking industry and, according to Gurman, has room to grow.

As a result, the iPhone maker has reportedly decided to instead focus on its Apple Watch lineup, which recently received new additions with the launch of the Apple Watch Series 10 in September. It’s likely to remain one of Apple’s primary health and fitness wearables.

In recent months, Apple has been teasing the development of the Smart Ring by allegedly sending surveys to customers, including Apple Watch owners. While most of the questions focused on the features and battery life of the company’s smartwatches, they were also asked whether they used smart rings – which was taken as a hint at a potential smart ring then in development.