Forget the Galaxy Watch 6 - Samsung could literally ring in the New Year with a whole new wearable in 2024.

Rumors suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Ring could launch sometime next year, as early as January with the Galaxy S24 at Samsung Unpacked, or with the Z Fold 6 by the end of the year. Whenever it appears, it could be a major competitor to devices like the Oura Ring.

What we know so far about the Samsung Galaxy Ring is as follows.

Early rumors had the Galaxy Ring launching in early 2024, but the latest report from The Elec says that the launch date will be pushed back to Q3 2024 or Q1 2025, alongside the Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6.

Previously, it was believed that the Galaxy Ring could debut with the Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra in the Unpacked 24, according to @Universeice, a leaker on Chinese social media site Weibo (and SamMobile reports). Usually, Samsung holds this event at the end of January or early February, right in between CES and MWC.

An earlier rumor we wrote in July had the Galaxy Ring launching in March or April 2024. We were a bit premature in speculating that it would appear at Samsung's Unpacked event this summer. No one is always right.

Samsung trademarked the name Galaxy Ring in February 2023, as well as other names that might refer to the Ring's functionality, or other products.

A teardown of Samsung's APK by 9to5google also seems to confirm a 2024 release date and official name for the device.

It is clear that the Galaxy Ring is a ring.

According to The Elec article, Samsung manufactures the Ring in four sizes, which is half of the Oura Ring.

Like other devices, it will likely have a built-in heart rate monitor, but may also include more advanced features such as blood pressure monitoring and aFib detection. However, some of these require FDA approval, which could take months, if not years.

Older reports indicate that production of the Galaxy Ring began in August, but this seems unlikely given the latest rumors as of October 2023 (which say the Ring will not be available until late 2024).

Depending on when Ring is released, it could launch without all of its features enabled, but the company plans to roll out advanced tracking once it clears regulatory hurdles with the FDA. fitbit last year received approval to detect atrial fibrillation in its fitness tracker underwent a similar process to receive approval to do so.

Galaxy Ring, like the Galaxy Watch 6, may also track sleep, blood oxygen levels, and body composition.

Like the Oura ring and the long-discontinued Amazon Loop, consumers who purchase the Galaxy Ring will likely have to measure their finger size in advance to get a ring that fits their finger correctly. This would mean that a sizing kit would be mailed first, followed by the actual ring.

In most cases, the Ring is connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth, a fact revealed in an APK teardown on 9to5google.

So far, there are relatively few smart rings, but from what we have seen (and tested), we would expect Samsung's Galaxy Ring to have the following:

Activity tracking: the Ring could wear or use GPS use is highly doubtful, but it should be able to track daily activities such as walking and running and measure heart rate.

Sleep Tracking: This is another table stakes feature, given that it is included in the Oura ring.

Temperature tracking: If the Galaxy Ring could record body temperature, it would not only be useful in case of some illness, but also for women who want to keep track of their cycles and pregnancies.

Media control: It would be useful if instead of tapping the phone or wireless earpiece, one could tap the Galaxy Ring to change music tracks, change volume, receive and take calls, etc.

Wireless charging: Like the Oura Ring, the Samsung Galaxy Ring needs to be able to charge wirelessly; bonus points if it can be placed on the back of the Galaxy S23 Ultra to charge.

Samsung's entry into the new wearable category is certainly interesting. This device could appeal to people who want a health-focused wearable but don't want something as large as a wristwatch. In doing so, it would open up a separate market from the smartwatch, which would have to compete with the Apple watch as well as Garmin.

The Samsung Ring could also be an entry point for the company to expand its online health and fitness offerings, both free and paid, as Apple and Fitbit have done.

Given that Samsung is not exactly the most rigorous ship when it comes to product rumors, we expect to hear more about the Galaxy Ring in the coming months. Stay tuned.