The Korean brand ‘Samsung’ is looking forward to expanding its smart wearable device range by introducing the latest smart wearable Galaxy device. The Galaxy Ring is the next in line to make its debut. As reported, the upcoming Galaxy Ring will ask you for subscriptions to access full functionality.
Galaxy Ring is the first-ever smart wearable ring of the Korean giant, which will bring advanced health monitoring features, but to access the full functionality, it will ask you for a subscription. Although a subscription for the wearable device is not new, Samsung would not be the first brand to couple its hardware or features to a subscription.
On the comparison side, the Whoop 4.0 strap offers the strangest example; you get the tracker free with a membership, but the membership is the actual cost. Also, the Oura Ring 3 asks you for a monthly subscription to access most features, with only basic data available for free.
If Samsung adopts a similar model, features presently free on Galaxy Rings and watches might be locked behind subscriptions. However, it would not be beneficial or even make any sense for the Korean giant to copy Oura. Since the Galaxy Ring will be its first smart ring, rendering most of its features inaccessible would stop fulfilling the satisfaction of customers.
The giant isn’t disinclined to wall off features, either. It reserves its Watch’s blood pressure monitoring and ECG readings for Galaxy phone users, even if the essential hardware is built into the watch, not the phone. The company is setting up to introduce new health features that require complex calculations based on Galaxy AI, which might justify subscription fees in the future, particularly keeping in mind Samsung’s lack of commitment to free Galaxy AI access beyond 2025 on Galaxy S series smartphones.
Noticeably, a subscription service for Galaxy smart wearable devices will be worthwhile when it offers personalized wellness guidance powered by Galaxy AI; currently, Samsung Health lacks this feature. However, each brand does not ask for a subscription fee to process and contextualize your fitness level and health. It will be interesting to see how much Samsung will ask to pay for the subscription.
