Oura CEO says Apple won't launch an Apple Ring, but we still think it will

Samsung Galaxy Rings and Galaxy Z Flip 6
Will Apple follow the Samsung Galaxy Ring's lead? (Image credit: Samsung)

  • Oura CEO Tom Hale doesn’t think Apple will launch a smart ring
  • This is despite analysts predicting that an Apple Ring could land in the coming years
  • There's some basis for Hale's speculation, but it ignores Apple’s approach in other tech categories

Smart rings are steadily becoming all the rage in the wearables space. While they’re often a little lacking feature-wise compared to the best smartwatches their simplicity, as well as more compact form factor and longer battery life, make them an excellent alternative for some people – especially those among us that want to wear a classic analogue clock without losing out on too many health-tracking tools.

After Samsung got on board the smart-ring train with the Galaxy Ring there have been rumors Apple would join in too with an Apple Ring, but the Oura CEO doesn’t think that’s likely.

Speaking to CNBC, Oura CEO Tom Hale seemed unconvinced that Apple would create a smart ring, saying “I think they [Apple] are unconvinced about the value of having a ring and a watch together and they’re not interested in undercutting the Apple Watch as a business.”

He added, “Apple is very much a focused company. They’re like: ‘We’ve put our bet on the watch. We’re gonna make the watch our platform.’”

Hale certainly makes a good point; smart rings are direct competitors to other wearables, so Apple’s ring would potentially cannibalize part of its existing Apple Watch brand. However Hale’s argument has a few holes in it, with a big one being that Apple already creates different platforms within its product categories.

Apple makes multiple different kinds of Mac – with the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro and Mac Studio; different iPads – the regular, mini, Pro and Air; and even makes different Apple Watches already, with base and Ultra models. So offering an Apple Ring alternative to suit the needs of a different kind of user isn’t as outside of Apple’s usual strategy as Hale is arguing.

An Apple Ring won't come soon

Oura Ring 4

Will the Oura Ring 4 have an Apple Rival? (Image credit: Future)

Where Hale makes more sense is when he says of smart rings that "it’s hard to do this product category right.”

As mentioned, smart rings are inherently less feature-rich than smartwatches – with a big difference being that lack of a screen. They’re also generally less impressive at tracking fitness goals, but are better for sleep and health, as their longer battery life means you need to recharge a ring a lot less often than a watch, and their small form factor means they're comfortable to wear when you're sleeping.

Making a smart ring that feels like good value for money and is well stocked with helpful tools, but isn’t bulky, is a tough line to walk. Especially when you factor in that Apple would want a new wearable device to slot next to its Apple Watch rather than replace it.

That challenge isn’t an impossible one to crack though, and while there’s no guarantee that Apple will or won’t create a smart ring, I still think an Apple Ring is more likely than not – just don’t expect to see it any time soon.

You might also like

Hamish Hector
Senior Staff Writer, News

Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Ring prototype
Apple Ring: Has Apple canceled its smart ring project?
Oura Ring 4
One of Apple's top health execs is ditching the company for Oura, and I've never been more convinced smart rings are the future
Samsung Galaxy Ring
Samsung Galaxy Ring 2: All the latest rumors
Circular Ring 2 in Black
Circular Ring 2 unveiled at CES – and it's the end of plastic sizing kits for smart rings
Ultrahuman Rare ring platinum on finger
Think Oura and Samsung's smart rings look good? Ultrahuman just unveiled its Ultrahuman Rare 18K gold and platinum luxury smart rings at CES 2025
the samsung galaxy ring on a purple background
Best smart ring 2025: Every discreet fitness tracker tested
Latest in Smartwatches
Apple Watch Series 9 with Snoopy
Please, Apple, don't add a camera to the Apple Watch – it's not the change we're hoping for
Apple Watch Ultra 2 timer
The Apple Watch is getting a sleep alarm upgrade it probably should have had 10 years ago
Google Pixel Watch 3
Google Pixel Watches hit with delayed notifications, crashing, and performance issues following Wear OS 5.1 update
Apple Watch Ultra 2 move data
Apple is reportedly planning a huge future Apple Watch upgrade to turn it into an AI device with onboard cameras
Apple watch pair with iphone
The Apple Watch SE 3 is apparently in 'serious jeopardy', and the news isn't much better for the Ultra 3 or Series 11
Oppo Watch Mini X2 teaser
Oppo Watch X2 Mini teaser could be our first glimpse of the smaller OnePlus Watch 3
Latest in News
DeepSeek
Deepseek’s new AI is smarter, faster, cheaper, and a real rival to OpenAI's models
Open AI
OpenAI unveiled image generation for 4o – here's everything you need to know about the ChatGPT upgrade
Apple WWDC 2025 announced
Apple just announced WWDC 2025 starts on June 9, and we'll all be watching the opening event
Hornet swings their weapon in mid air
Hollow Knight: Silksong gets new Steam metadata changes, convincing everyone and their mother that the game is finally releasing this year
OpenAI logo
OpenAI just launched a free ChatGPT bible that will help you master the AI chatbot and Sora
An aerial view of an Instavolt Superhub for charging electric vehicles
Forget gas stations – EV charging Superhubs are using solar power to solve the most annoying thing about electric motoring