In a development that’s sure to excite wearable tech fans, fresh rumors suggest Apple is once again exploring a smart ring — potentially dubbed the “iRing” — to take on leaders like the Oura Ring and Samsung Galaxy Ring.
The claim comes from leaker and prototype collector Kosutami, who posted on X today indicating that Apple has an iRing project in active development aimed directly at the growing smart ring category.
Why Now?
Apple has quietly investigated finger-worn wearables for years. The company holds multiple patents related to smart rings, including ideas for controlling VR/AR headsets and tracking biometrics. Earlier rumors in 2024 suggested Apple was seriously weighing a discreet health tracker as a less obtrusive alternative to the Apple Watch.
Those rumors had gone quiet until the massive success of the latest Oura Ring apparently rekindled interest. Oura’s fifth-generation ring, released recently, is smaller, more advanced, and packed with features like blood pressure trend detection, nighttime breathing analysis, and even support for tracking GLP-1 medications. It starts at $399 and has helped push smart rings into the mainstream.
Samsung’s Galaxy Ring has also gained traction, proving there’s real consumer appetite for sleek, always-on health trackers that don’t require daily charging like a smartwatch.What Could an Apple iRing Offer?While Kosutami provided no specific details, an Apple smart ring would likely emphasize seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem — think deep Health app syncing, advanced sleep and recovery metrics, and perhaps unique features leveraging Apple’s sensor expertise and machine learning.Potential advantages over competitors:
• No subscription model (unlike Oura’s premium features)
• Superior battery life and build quality
• Tight integration with Apple Watch for combined tracking
• Possible AR/VR control capabilities
It could appeal strongly to users who want health insights without wearing a full watch — especially those who prefer traditional timepieces or want something more discreet.
Skepticism Remains
It’s worth noting that Apple rumors have a long history of fizzling out. Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman has previously reported that Apple had no near-term plans for a smart ring, and some analysts believe the company worries a ring could cannibalize Apple Watch sales.
Still, the re-emergence of the rumor amid booming interest in Oura and similar devices suggests Apple is at least paying close attention — and possibly accelerating internal work.
MacDailyNews Take: If true, Oura’s going to be hating life. Luckily for them, it’ll be brief.
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