- RingConn Gen 2 smart ring has raised over $1.6 million on Kickstarter, breaking records.
- It offers advanced features like sleep apnea tracking and a 12-day battery life.
- It’s positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to Samsung’s Galaxy Ring.
The smart ring market is heating up, especially with Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Ring on the horizon. However, a new player is making waves well before Samsung’s release.
The RingConn Gen 2, a budget-friendly alternative, is not just breaking Kickstarter records but also setting itself up as a strong competitor in the wearable tech space.
A Record-Breaking Start
Since its campaign launch earlier this month, the RingConn Gen 2 has raised over $1.6 million. Impressively, it became the fastest smart ring campaign to reach the $1 million milestone, achieving this feat in just 36 hours.
This record-breaking success showcases the growing interest in smart rings, driven by the buzz surrounding upcoming releases like the Galaxy Ring.
However, the RingConn Gen 2 is not just riding on the coattails of Samsung’s hype; it brings substantial improvements that make it worthy of attention in its own right.
Significant Upgrades and Features
The RingConn Gen 2 offers several notable upgrades from its predecessor. While the design has been slightly refined for a sleeker look, the most significant changes lie in its functionality.
The new model boasts an extended battery life of up to 12 days, a significant increase from the previous maximum of seven days. This improvement alone could be a game-changer for users who prioritize longevity in their wearable devices.
Additionally, the RingConn Gen 2 introduces sleep apnea tracking, a feature not commonly found in budget smart rings.
According to RingConn, the device can detect sleep apnea with 90% accuracy, potentially offering users a valuable tool for monitoring their health.
This new feature complements the array of tracking capabilities carried over from the original model, including sleep, activity, stress, and heart rate monitoring.
Affordability Meets Functionality
One of the RingConn Gen 2’s biggest selling points is its affordability. At full retail, the smart ring is priced at $299 (approximately £234 or AU$460), slightly higher than its predecessor, which retailed for $279.
However, early backers of the Kickstarter campaign can secure the RingConn Gen 2 for just $209 (£164 or AU$322), making it a cost-effective option compared to its competitors.
In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is expected to retail for $399 (£399, around AU$750), positioning the RingConn Gen 2 as a more budget-friendly alternative without compromising on features.
A Proven Track Record
While many Kickstarter projects are unpredictable, RingConn has established itself as a reliable player in the smart ring market.
The original RingConn smart ring was well-received, earning praise for its accurate data tracking and solid battery life of five to seven days.
Despite some minor syncing issues and less-than-ideal workout tracking, it was seen as a strong alternative to the more expensive Oura smart ring.
Given its predecessor’s success and the substantial upgrades in the Gen 2 model, there is reason to believe that this new iteration could be a serious contender for the title of the best budget smart ring of 2024.
With its combination of affordability, extended battery life, and advanced health tracking features, the RingConn Gen 2 is set to challenge more established brands in the wearable tech market, including the highly anticipated Galaxy Rings.
