Samsung was supposed to own the smart ring category. The Galaxy Ring, launched in July 2024, was backed by Samsung's massive marketing machine, deep integration with the Galaxy ecosystem, and the brand recognition that Oura and other ring makers could only dream of. The follow-up, Galaxy Ring 2, was expected to arrive by mid-2026 with major upgrades.
Instead, Galaxy Ring 2 is mired in a patent dispute, Galaxy Ring 1 sales have reportedly underwhelmed expectations, and the smart ring market is evolving rapidly around Samsung while it sorts out legal and strategic challenges.
Here is everything we know about the Galaxy Ring 2 delay, the Oura patent fight, the rumored specifications, and what it all means for current Galaxy Ring owners and prospective smart ring buyers.
Nov 2025
Oura Patent Lawsuit Filed
Against Samsung in US District Court
Late 2026
Earliest Galaxy Ring 2 Launch
Possibly delayed to 2027
2.0mm
Rumored Ring Thickness
Down from 2.6mm in Galaxy Ring 1
~40%
Galaxy Ring 1 Sales vs Target
Reportedly below Samsung's internal projections
The Oura Patent Lawsuit
On November 14, 2025, Oura Health filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung Electronics in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas -- a venue known for patent-friendly juries. The suit alleges that Samsung's Galaxy Ring infringes on five Oura patents covering fundamental aspects of smart ring design and functionality.
The Patents in Question
| Patent Number | Title | Key Claims | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US 11,406,307 | Ring-form physiological sensor with optical elements | PPG sensor placement, LED and photodiode arrangement in ring form factor | 2019 |
| US 11,517,248 | Temperature measurement in wearable ring device | Skin temperature sensing methodology, calibration approach, thermal compensation | 2020 |
| US 11,678,845 | Sleep staging from ring-based physiological signals | Algorithm architecture for deriving sleep stages from ring PPG and accelerometer data | 2021 |
| US 11,789,432 | Multi-sensor ring architecture with power optimization | Power management system for multi-sensor ring, duty cycling approach for battery optimization | 2021 |
| US 11,901,223 | Wearable ring with integrated NFC and health sensing | Combined NFC antenna and health sensor integration in ring circuit board layout | 2022 |
The core allegation is not that Samsung copied a cosmetic design. Oura claims that Samsung's ring uses sensor placement configurations, temperature measurement methods, sleep staging algorithms, and power management techniques that Oura invented and patented. These are functional patents covering how the ring works, not just how it looks.
Why Texas?
The Eastern District of Texas has historically been one of the most plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions for patent cases in the United States. Patent holders win approximately 65% of cases that go to trial there, compared to roughly 35% nationally. Oura's choice of venue is strategic -- it maximizes their leverage in potential settlement negotiations.
Samsung's Response
Samsung filed its initial response in January 2026, denying all infringement claims and asserting that:
- The cited patents are invalid due to prior art -- Samsung argues that the sensor configurations and algorithms described in Oura's patents were already known in academic literature before Oura's filing dates
- Samsung's implementations are sufficiently different from Oura's patented methods -- Samsung uses distinct PPG configurations and proprietary algorithms
- Several of the patents are overly broad and should not have been granted -- Samsung has filed inter partes review (IPR) petitions with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to challenge the validity of three of the five patents
The case is in the discovery phase as of April 2026. A trial date has not been set but is expected no earlier than Q2 2027.
Impact on Galaxy Ring 2
Industry sources -- including reports from The Korea Herald and SamMobile -- indicate that the patent lawsuit has directly impacted Galaxy Ring 2's development timeline. Specifically:
- Samsung's legal team has required the engineering team to redesign certain sensor configurations to reduce infringement exposure, adding 4-6 months to the development cycle
- Samsung's leadership has reportedly paused marketing commitments for Galaxy Ring 2 until the legal picture clarifies
- Component suppliers have been told to expect delayed mass production orders, pushing the earliest possible launch to late Q3 or Q4 2026 -- with a growing possibility of a 2027 launch
Patent Disputes Can Last Years
Major tech patent lawsuits routinely take 2-4 years from filing to resolution. The Apple-Samsung smartphone patent war lasted from 2011 to 2018. Even if Samsung and Oura settle (the most likely outcome), negotiations could extend through 2027. Galaxy Ring 2's launch timeline is fundamentally uncertain until the legal situation resolves.
Galaxy Ring 1: What Went Wrong?
To understand the Galaxy Ring 2 situation, it helps to understand why Galaxy Ring 1 underperformed.
Samsung launched the original Galaxy Ring in July 2024 at $399 -- $50 more than the Oura Ring 4 and $100 more than the Circular Ring 2. Despite Samsung's brand power and extensive carrier partnerships, sales reportedly reached only ~40% of Samsung's internal first-year target.
The Core Issues
Limited health features. Galaxy Ring 1 launched with sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, skin temperature sensing, and a basic Energy Score. It lacked ECG, SpO2 monitoring, and the depth of HRV analysis that Oura and Circular offered. For a premium price, the feature set felt incomplete.
Samsung Health dependency. Galaxy Ring works exclusively within the Samsung Health ecosystem. There is no standalone ring app -- all data flows through Samsung Health, which is designed primarily for Galaxy Watch users. Ring data feels like a secondary feature rather than a first-class experience.
Android-only compatibility. Unlike Oura (iOS and Android) and Circular (iOS and Android), Galaxy Ring works only with Samsung Galaxy phones at launch. Android compatibility was later expanded, but iOS users -- a significant portion of the premium wearable market -- are completely excluded.
Battery life concerns. While Samsung advertised up to 7 days of battery life, real-world usage with all features enabled typically yielded 4-5 days -- shorter than Oura Ring 4's consistent 7 days.
No subscription advantage. Samsung positioned the lack of subscription as a selling point (unlike Oura's $5.99/month membership). However, without a subscription, Samsung needed to justify the higher upfront price with superior features -- which it did not deliver.
✓Pros
- Samsung brand recognition and retail distribution
- Seamless integration with Galaxy Watch and Galaxy phones
- No subscription required for core features
- Lightweight design at approximately 3 grams
- Water resistant to 100 meters
- Titanium construction with multiple color options
✗Cons
- $399 price tag -- most expensive smart ring at launch
- Limited health features compared to Oura and Circular
- Android-only (Samsung Galaxy priority, no iOS support)
- Real-world battery life of 4-5 days below advertised 7 days
- Samsung Health app not optimized for ring-first experience
- No ECG or SpO2 -- feature gap versus competitors
- Sales reportedly well below Samsung's internal targets
Galaxy Ring 2: Rumored Specifications
Despite the patent complications, Samsung has continued developing Galaxy Ring 2. Patent filings, supply chain leaks, and credible industry reports paint a picture of what Samsung intended to ship -- and may still ship once legal issues are resolved.
| Specification | Galaxy Ring 1 (Actual) | Galaxy Ring 2 (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 2.6mm | 2.0mm (-23%) |
| Weight | ~3g (size 9) | ~2.5g (size 9) |
| Battery Technology | Lithium-ion | Solid-state battery |
| Battery Life | 4-5 days (real world) | 7-8 days (targeted) |
| Sensors | PPG (HR), accelerometer, temperature | PPG (HR + SpO2), accelerometer, gyroscope, temperature, bioimpedance |
| SpO2 | Not available | Expected |
| ECG | Not available | Under development (patent concerns) |
| Body Composition | Not available | Bioimpedance-based (rumored) |
| AI Features | Basic Energy Score | Galaxy AI Health integration |
| Sleep Tracking | 3-stage (light, deep, REM) | 4-stage with sleep apnea indicators |
| Compatibility | Android only (Galaxy priority) | Broader Android + possible iOS |
| NFC | Samsung Pay gestures | Enhanced NFC for payments + access |
| Price | $399 | $349-399 (estimated) |
The Solid-State Battery
The most technically interesting rumor is Samsung's reported use of solid-state battery technology in Galaxy Ring 2. Samsung SDI -- Samsung's battery division -- has been investing heavily in solid-state batteries for EVs and consumer electronics.
A solid-state battery in a smart ring would offer:
- Higher energy density: More capacity in the same or smaller volume, enabling the thinner 2.0mm design while maintaining or extending battery life
- Faster charging: Solid-state batteries can safely accept higher charge rates, potentially enabling full charge in 30 minutes or less
- Better thermal stability: More consistent performance across temperature ranges
- Longer lifespan: Slower degradation over charge cycles
If Samsung delivers a solid-state battery ring that genuinely lasts 7-8 days in a 2.0mm form factor, it would be a significant competitive advantage. However, miniaturizing solid-state technology to ring scale is unproven at mass production volumes, and yield issues could affect launch timing.
Galaxy AI Health Integration
Samsung has telegraphed plans to integrate Galaxy AI -- its on-device AI platform -- into health features across its wearable lineup. For Galaxy Ring 2, this reportedly includes:
- Conversational health insights: Ask Galaxy AI about your sleep, recovery, and activity trends using natural language
- Predictive health scoring: AI-driven forecasts of energy levels and recovery needs based on multi-day pattern analysis
- Cross-device data fusion: Combining Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch, and Galaxy phone sensor data for more comprehensive health modeling
- Personalized coaching: AI-generated exercise, sleep, and nutrition recommendations based on your biometric trends
Samsung's Ecosystem Advantage
Where Samsung could outflank Oura and Circular is in multi-device fusion. If you wear a Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring simultaneously, Samsung can combine wrist-based and finger-based sensor data for more accurate measurements. Wrist PPG is better for some metrics; finger PPG is better for others. No competitor currently offers this dual-device integration at scale.
Timeline Expectations
Based on our analysis of the patent case timeline, supply chain intelligence, and Samsung's historical product cadence, here are the realistic scenarios:
| Scenario | Probability | Launch Window | Key Dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | 25% | Q3 2026 (Aug-Sep) | Samsung resolves sensor redesign quickly; patent case does not escalate |
| Base case | 45% | Q4 2026 (Oct-Dec) | Redesigned sensors pass testing; Samsung proceeds despite ongoing litigation |
| Delayed | 20% | Q1-Q2 2027 | Additional design revisions needed; Samsung waits for PTAB ruling on patent validity |
| Significantly delayed | 10% | H2 2027 or later | Patent case goes badly; Samsung must fundamentally rearchitect the ring |
Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event, historically held in July or August, is the most likely launch venue for the optimistic and base case scenarios. If Galaxy Ring 2 misses Unpacked 2026, a standalone launch event in Q4 2026 is possible but less impactful from a marketing perspective.
What Galaxy Ring 1 Owners Should Do
If you currently own a Galaxy Ring, the patent dispute and Galaxy Ring 2 delays create some practical questions.
Keep using Galaxy Ring 1. The patent lawsuit does not affect your device's functionality. Samsung Health continues to receive updates, and the ring's firmware has been regularly improved since launch. No features are being removed.
Do not expect a trade-in program. Samsung has not announced any Galaxy Ring trade-in or upgrade program, and given the uncertain Ring 2 timeline, one is unlikely in the near term.
Consider the competition. If your Galaxy Ring 1 is not meeting your health tracking needs -- particularly if you want SpO2, ECG, or deeper HRV analysis -- the Oura Ring 4 and Circular Ring 2 are available now with more comprehensive feature sets.
Watch for Samsung Health updates. Samsung can improve Galaxy Ring 1's value through software updates even without new hardware. Recent updates have improved sleep staging accuracy and added more detailed HRV reporting. More updates are expected throughout 2026.
The Broader Smart Ring Patent Landscape
The Samsung-Oura dispute is the highest-profile case, but it reflects a broader pattern of patent consolidation in the smart ring space.
Oura holds the largest smart ring patent portfolio with over 80 granted US patents and 40+ pending applications covering ring-based health sensing, form factor innovations, and data processing algorithms. Having been in the market since 2015, Oura had a significant head start in building patent protection.
Samsung's patent portfolio is massive across all categories (200,000+ patents worldwide), but its smart ring-specific patents are relatively few, mostly filed after 2022 when the Galaxy Ring project began in earnest.
Other patent holders in the smart ring space include:
- Circular: 12 granted patents covering ECG ring implementation and multi-electrode configurations
- Movano Health: 15+ patents on ring-based blood pressure and glucose estimation (the Evie Ring)
- Apple: 25+ smart ring patents (filed but no product announced), covering health sensing, gesture control, and haptic feedback in ring form factors
- Ultrahuman: 8 patents covering metabolic health sensing from ring form factor
Apple's Smart Ring Patents
Apple has quietly amassed over 25 smart ring patents since 2019, covering everything from blood pressure sensing to gesture-based device control. While Apple has not announced a smart ring product, this patent activity suggests it is either developing one or creating defensive patent protection for future ring-adjacent wrist features. If Apple enters the smart ring market, the patent landscape would shift dramatically.
What the Patent Wars Mean for Consumers
Patent disputes in consumer electronics typically resolve in one of three ways:
- Settlement with licensing: Samsung pays Oura a royalty per ring sold. This slightly increases Samsung's costs (and possibly retail price) but allows Galaxy Ring 2 to launch with its intended design
- Design-around: Samsung redesigns the infringing components to avoid Oura's patents. This is what appears to be happening with Galaxy Ring 2's sensor redesign, adding time but avoiding ongoing royalties
- Patent invalidation: Samsung successfully challenges Oura's patents at the PTAB, removing the infringement claims entirely. This is the longest timeline but the cleanest resolution
For consumers, the practical impact is delayed product launches and potentially higher prices if licensing costs are passed through. The good news is that patent competition incentivizes innovation -- Samsung's redesigned sensors may end up being better than the original design.
Alternatives to Consider While Waiting
If you are interested in a smart ring and do not want to wait for Galaxy Ring 2's uncertain timeline, here are the current best options:
| Feature | Feature | Oura Ring 4 | Circular Ring 2 | Ultrahuman Ring Air |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | $349 + $5.99/mo | $299 (no subscription) | $349 (no subscription) |
| ECG | ECG | No | Yes (FDA-cleared) | No |
| SpO2 | SpO2 | Nighttime | Continuous | On-demand |
| Sleep Tracking | Sleep Tracking | Excellent (4-stage) | Good (4-stage) | Good (4-stage) |
| HRV Tracking | HRV Tracking | Excellent | Very Good | Good |
| Battery Life | Battery Life | ~7 days | ~7 days | ~6 days |
| App Quality | App Quality | Excellent | Improving (buggy) | Good |
| iOS Support | iOS Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Best For | Sleep and recovery tracking | ECG + no subscription | Fitness-focused users |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The most likely launch window is Q4 2026 (October-December), though the Oura patent lawsuit creates uncertainty. A Q3 2026 launch at Galaxy Unpacked is possible but increasingly unlikely as redesign work extends the timeline. A 2027 launch cannot be ruled out if the patent situation escalates.
No. Your Galaxy Ring 1 will continue to function normally. Samsung Health updates will continue. The patent lawsuit targets future products and potential damages for past sales, but it will not result in features being removed from existing devices.
Settlement is the most likely outcome, based on historical patterns in consumer electronics patent disputes. However, Samsung has filed inter partes review petitions challenging the validity of three Oura patents, which suggests Samsung believes it has a strong defense. Settlement timing is unpredictable -- it could happen next month or next year.
If you want a smart ring now with proven sleep tracking, comprehensive health metrics, and a polished app experience, Oura Ring 4 is the strongest option available today. If Samsung ecosystem integration is important to you and you can wait 6-12+ months, Galaxy Ring 2 may offer better value within the Samsung ecosystem. The key question is whether the wait is worth it given the uncertain timeline.
Samsung has not confirmed iOS support. Industry sources suggest Samsung is evaluating broader compatibility including possible iOS support, but this is unconfirmed. Given that Oura and Circular both support iOS, Samsung may need to offer it to remain competitive.
Pricing has not been announced. Analysts expect a price between $349 and $399 -- potentially lower than Galaxy Ring 1's $399 launch price as Samsung adjusts its positioning. If Samsung includes a solid-state battery and additional sensors, a $399 price point seems more likely.
A solid-state battery replaces the liquid electrolyte in traditional lithium-ion batteries with a solid material. Benefits include higher energy density (more power in less space), faster charging, better thermal stability, and longer lifespan. For a smart ring where every cubic millimeter counts, solid-state technology could enable a thinner design with better battery life -- but the technology has not been proven at mass production scale in consumer electronics this small.
