For almost two decades, there have been repeated rumors about the Apple Ring—a smart, ring-shaped wearable that could one day complement Apple's product portfolio. So far, none of these have materialized. But now the topic is back in the spotlight. Renowned Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman has mentioned the Apple Ring again, and competition from Samsung is giving the idea a fresh lease of life. So, it's time to take a closer look at the current state of affairs.
If you're interested in wearables and Apple products, you're probably already familiar with the Apple Watch. The watch is well-established, but many users are looking for alternatives—smaller, more discreet, perhaps even more practical. This is precisely where the idea of the Apple Ring comes in. Whether for sleeping, exercising, or simply as an unobtrusive fitness tool—a ring would have advantages. In recent months, there has been a lot of activity in the rumor mill. This includes not only speculation, but also patents, concept studies, and statements from industry insiders.
The idea is not new
The first known designs for an Apple Ring date back to 2007. At that time, Yanko Design published a concept image of the so-called iRing. Victor Soto's design featured a white or black ring with a blue glowing Apple logo. The vision: a ring with a compact display, gesture control, haptic functions, and a connection to an iPhone or iPod. A touch-sensitive function strip for controlling music and volume was also planned. The ring was to be charged using a ring-shaped holder. The battery life was expected to be up to two days.
Apple patents prove many years of development
What sets the Apple Ring apart from other Apple rumors: The large number of patents filed. Over the years, Apple has filed numerous patent applications related to smart rings. These include a wide variety of approaches – from an extendable ring that can also be worn as a necklace or bracelet, to haptic feedback systems and gesture control for operating other devices. A possible integration with the Apple Vision Pro is also conceivable, for example, to recognize finger movements in the virtual environment. These patents show that Apple has been testing various concepts over many years. Whether this has or will become a market-ready product remains unclear.
Mark Gurman brings movement into the discussion
Now, Apple insider Mark Gurman has brought the Apple Ring back into the conversation in his "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg. In his opinion, the Apple Watch hardly offers any real innovations anymore. A switch to a new wearable format like a smart ring would be logical in his view. Gurman cites several advantages of such a device: It would be more comfortable to wear, especially at night or while exercising. It would have significantly longer battery life because it doesn't need a display. A ring would also be better suited to formal attire and could also provide the fitness data one would normally expect from a smartwatch. An important point: users of classic watches could use a smart ring without having to give up their wrist accessory. According to Gurman, Apple could offer the ring in addition to the Apple Watch – for anyone who doesn't like the watch. However, he offers no indication that the ring will actually be launched on the market any time soon.
Samsung causes new speculation
In January 2024, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Ring at its Unpacked event. This rekindled speculation about an Apple Ring. Industry sources reported that Apple has been regularly filing patents for smart rings for years and that development may already be well advanced. A possible timeline for a market launch was also mentioned, but without any concrete details or dates.
Contradictory statements about market readiness
Whether the Apple Ring is really within reach remains unclear. Mark Gurman himself stated in October 2024 that Apple was no longer actively developing a ring. One reason, he said, was that such a product could compete with the Apple Watch. However, this contradicts his current statements in which he brings a smart ring back into play. Other voices in the industry also disagree. Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, expects an Apple Ring to come to market in 2026 - as a complement to the Watch, not as a replacement. Tom Hale, CEO of Oura - a manufacturer of smart rings - is skeptical. He does not believe Apple will release a ring. In his opinion, a smart ring would undermine the Apple Watch business. Furthermore, Apple lacks the necessary experience in miniaturization for such products. However, it is questionable how neutral his assessment is - after all, Apple would be a direct competitor.
Apple Ring: Between rumor and reality
The Apple Ring has been a topic of conversation for almost 20 years. There are numerous patents, old concept studies, and a constant stream of new rumors. Samsung's Galaxy Ring and new statements from insiders like Mark Gurman have reignited interest. Nevertheless, the situation remains unclear. There are no official announcements, no launch dates, and no publicly known prototypes. For you as an interested user, this means: The Apple Ring is currently neither dead nor definitely alive. It remains a topic that appears in waves – sometimes with more, sometimes with less substance. But as long as patents are filed and competitors enter the market, there's a chance that Apple will follow suit at some point. So, if you're interested in wearable technology, it's worth keeping an eye on this development. (Image: Shutterstock / Gereti Studio)
