Can the $200 HCM Ring Really Rival the Galaxy Ring?

When it comes to core functionalities, the HCM Ring claims to offer heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, and blood pressure measurement just like the Galaxy Ring. So, are these features merely marketing hype, or do they actually deliver genuine utility?

To cut to the chase, they're indeed useful.

Similar to the smartwatches and fitness bands we commonly use, the HCM Ring relies on sensors that make contact with the skin to measure relevant data. To conserve power, it performs a 30-second measurement every hour while on standby (i.e., not connected to the app). However, due to its less-than-ideal craftsmanship, an awkward situation arises during each measurement: the red light used for data measurement tends to "spill over," giving the appearance of RGB effects on your finger from a distance.

Regarding data accuracy, if the Apple Watch isn't malfunctioning, it indicates that the HCM Ring is quite adept at monitoring heart rate and blood oxygen levels, as the data is similar. This suggests that it indeed has the appropriate sensors and algorithm modules, rather than presenting placebo-like false numbers. Plus, when connected to the app, I'm able to view my real-time body data, along with daily, weekly, and monthly reports, which, despite being rudimentary, are quite comprehensible.

However, there's a curious element: the app interface shows data for blood pressure monitoring. Based on my understanding, measuring blood pressure requires applying pressure to the arteries, which involves sophisticated technical integration into wearable devices. I'm left wondering whether the $200 HCM Ring can truly measure blood pressure. To illustrate, consider the Huawei WATCH, one of the few smartwatches with blood pressure monitoring capabilities. It incorporates a micro air pump, airbags, and high-precision pressure sensors within the watch to offer a professional-grade blood pressure system.

Shrinking such a blood pressure system further to fit within the 4g HCM Ring seems unachievable at this stage. Even if a manufacturer does manage it, the cost would be prohibitively high. In other words, the HCM Ring's blood pressure monitoring feature is more of a playful gimmick. Interestingly, the product page doesn't even mention support for blood pressure monitoring.

Regarding sleep tracking, perhaps due to its immature algorithm, my one-hour nap wasn't recorded. It might require wearing it overnight for accurate measurement. However, wearing this bulky piece while sleeping might be uncomfortable enough to keep me awake. As a smart ring with limited functionality, the HCM Ring's usability ends there. Its measurement accuracy exceeded my expectations; apart from sleep and blood pressure, data like blood oxygen, heart rate, steps, and activity energy are remarkably accurate. I suspect its sensor and algorithm setup are sourced from the same manufacturers as those for smart fitness bands. As far as measurement accuracy goes, the HCM Ring is a distinctive and decently performing smart ring. However, considering the wearing experience, I wouldn't recommend spending $200 on it. But for a playful experiment, $200 could be worth the fun.

Can a Small Smart Ring Truly Compete with the Big Players?

To sum up, the key differences between the HCM Ring and the Samsung Galaxy Ring lie in materials, wearing experience, and smartphone connectivity. Yet, there's a $130 price gap between them, prompting me to question whether smart rings truly justify their price. From a user's perspective, compared to smartwatches or fitness bands, smart rings lack an interactive display, can't send or reply to messages, don't allow setting alarms, and require a smartphone app to access data. Its functionality is even less than a $100+ fitness band, making it hard not to categorize this $330 smart ring as a "luxury tax" item.

Smart rings aren't a new category; the reason other manufacturers haven't launched similar products is straightforward: the future seems uncertain. Expanding functionality would mean increasing the ring's size, contradicting the design philosophy of smart rings. Until the technology fully matures, smart rings remain a gimmick product in my view. They may boast aesthetic design and offer a better wearing experience than smartwatches or bands, but they've sacrificed significant features for appearance, and their pricing isn't exactly friendly. For smart rings to become as widespread as smartwatches and bands, more time is needed. On the bright side, smart rings face challenges, but they also present substantial opportunities.

According to Gnitive's 2024 Global Smart Ring Market Report, the global smart ring market was valued at $210 million in 2023 and is projected to grow to $1 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 24.1%.