Good rings are one of many fastest-growing wearable classes as we speak. However primarily based on info Ultrahuman shared with me, most of its clients are iPhone homeowners. As a author for an Android website, I used to be curious why — and what which means for Android-only sensible rings just like the Galaxy Ring.
It is uncommon for tech corporations to share their Android/iOS splits. However throughout an Ultrahuman manufacturing unit tour once I obtained to make a sensible ring by hand, the Ultrahuman execs shared a few stunning factoids about their sensible ring enterprise.
First, the Ultrahuman Ring Air has blown up in recognition. Its enterprise has grown by 15 occasions within the final 18 months, and its share of complete sensible ring gross sales grew from 12% in 2023 to 35% in 2024, in keeping with IDC stats. The Oura Ring nonetheless dominates greater than half of world gross sales, however the sub-free Ring Air has performed effectively.
Apparently, Ultrahuman has feminine clients to thank for this surge. In 2023, 75% of its clients recognized as male within the app; now, 60% of its customers are feminine.
On the identical time, Ultrahuman confirmed that 75–80% of Ultrahuman’s clients use the iOS app, and that hasn’t modified a lot during the last couple of years. Whereas its European and Asian gross sales might skew Android, as quickly because the U.S. turned the Ring Air’s largest market, iOS turned the overwhelming focus.
Whereas I haven’t got stats for different corporations, this Cognitive Market Analysis report consists of charts displaying {that a} majority of sensible ring homeowners use Android worldwide, however that a minimum of 40% of sensible ring gross sales are available in North America.
And once more, about 75–80% of North American sensible ring homeowners use iOS, despite the fact that almost half of North American telephones use Android.
Why many Android customers have not hopped on the sensible ring prepare but
I requested Ultrahuman’s CEO and CBO about this iOS/Android hole. They answered that iOS customers like “closed methods” and put extra inventory on “aesthetics,” and they also’re glad to purchase an all-in-one system like a sensible ring that curates the expertise and knowledge for you.
He additionally talked about it being a matter of demographics, that iOS customers — or North American techies — may need extra discretionary earnings to spend on sensible rings.
In contrast, he thinks that Android customers like “customization,” “personalization,” and the power to “overclock” units with sufficient effort. A screen-less sensible ring would not match that description, as a result of you may’t peek below the hood or activate developer settings (as you may on Put on OS).
Another excuse could possibly be the Galaxy Ring, since so many Android customers want Galaxy telephones and may need the very best integration. An unconfirmed report recommended Samsung bumped its Galaxy Ring manufacturing from 400,000 to 1 million final 12 months as a result of excessive demand, so perhaps the Android crowd merely ignored non-Samsung choices.
It is odd, then, that IDC gross sales figures do not appear to mirror that, with Oura and Ultrahuman proudly owning near 90% of world sensible ring gross sales by the tip of 2024.
I consider the Galaxy Ring’s Android exclusivity works towards it as a result of North Individuals with disposable earnings for a $399 ring both (A) personal an iPhone or (B) have already got a Galaxy Watch or one other smartwatch that prices much less and does extra.
Worldwide, Android customers with much less earnings nonetheless purchase sensible rings, primarily based on the stats accessible. However they’ve so many choices within the $150–300 vary that the Galaxy Ring has hassle standing out, moreover the Samsung label.
How sensible rings may attraction extra to the Android crowd
Ultrahuman’s Mohit Kumar believes their enterprise will not be fairly as iOS-skewed as soon as they push extra gross sales in Europe and Asia. However nonetheless, there is a motive why they began making their rings in Texas: sensible rings have a rising market Stateside. So demographics apart, I requested whether or not they need to court docket the North American Android crowd extra.
He argued that they are already taking these steps by including extra customization to the Ultrahuman app. PowerPlugs enable customers to decide on what information they see like AFib or Vitamin D, and the brand new UltraSignal developer platform and public APIs let anybody entry the PPG information and use it for their very own purposes.
In any other case, if we’re speaking “energy customers,” then a Galaxy Ring 2 might ship nearer integration with different units, like gestures to regulate sensible glasses, NFC for Samsung Pay, or haptic suggestions for cellphone notifications.
However most sensible rings will stay understated, modern, and considerably costly wellness or medical units, reasonably than customizable, overclockable tech.
Clearly, some Android customers purchase sensible rings! However I am curious if, as a collective, they’re going to ever embrace rings as iOS customers have, or if they’re going to fortunately stick to Put on OS watches or health watches and see sensible rings as an costly novelty greater than a necessity.
