Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Does the Samsung Galaxy Ring work with the iPhone?

The side of the Samsung Galaxy Ring.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Samsung has unveiled its newest product, the Samsung Galaxy Ring. While we mostly see iterative updates to Samsung’s lineup of phones and smartwatches, the Galaxy Ring is a brand new product category for Samsung, and that’s a big deal.

Recommended Videos

Smart rings have become more popular in recent years as an alternative or complement to existing wearables, such as the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch. The leading player in the smart ring market has been the Oura Ring, but that may be changing soon now that Samsung has entered the fray with the Galaxy Ring.

But one big question remains: Can an iPhone user use the Galaxy Ring?

Does the Galaxy Ring work with the iPhone?

A person wearing the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Oura Ring.
The Oura Ring (left) and Samsung Galaxy Ring Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Unfortunately, if you are an iPhone user, you won’t be able to use the Galaxy Ring with the iPhone. Though this is a disappointing decision, it’s not all that surprising.

Both Apple and Samsung are very similar to each other in terms of having their own exclusive ecosystems. After all, an Apple Watch can’t be used with any other device besides an iPhone, and now the Galaxy Ring, in addition to the Galaxy Watch, can’t be used with an iPhone.

So, if you were hoping to get a Galaxy Ring and use it with your iPhone, you’re out of luck. If you are really interested in trying out a smart ring with your iPhone, you could consider the Oura Ring or a similar alternative. You just have to sit the Galaxy Ring out.

Does the Galaxy Ring work with any Android phone?

The Samsung Galaxy Ring in its charging case.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Despite the name, the Galaxy Ring can actually be used with any Android phone and is not limited to just Samsung Galaxy devices. As long as the Android phone can get the Samsung Health app on it, you can use the Galaxy Ring.

However, some exclusive features of the Galaxy Ring are only available on Samsung Galaxy smartphones, such as the Galaxy S24 series or the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Z Flip 6. Health features like Energy Score and Wellness Tips work on any Android phone, but the pinch gesture to control your phone’s camera and/or alarm only works with a paired Samsung phone.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is available in three colors: Titanium Black (matte), Titanium Silver (matte), and Titanium Gold (glossy). We saw all of them during our Galaxy Ring hands-on, and they look great in person. Preorders are open now, the Ring will be available beginning July 24 in nine sizes (5 to 13), and it costs $400 with no subscription fee.

Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
Own an Android? It looks like you may buy an iPhone next
The iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S25 Plus held in the hand together

In a recent survey of iPhone owners, 48% of those now wielding Apple’s smartphone had previously owned an Android phone. The data comes from an extensive report using information gathered from 4,000 individuals by analysts at Counterpoint Research, and shows despite the challenges those who switch from Android to iOS (or vice versa) often face, it didn’t put almost half of current iPhone owners off.

The research then states it’s Samsung and Google suffering the most when someone decides it’s time to buy an iPhone, to the point the paper warns Samsung may see a marked fall in S-series ownership over the next two years if the trend continues. It’s added that Samsung, along with brands like OnePlus and China’s market leader Vivo, are using AI and flagship specifications to differentiate devices, in an effort to entice and retain buyers.

Read more
Does the iPhone 16e have a microSD card slot?
iPhone 16e in white.

Apple has unveiled the all-new iPhone 16e, a new $599 replacement for the iPhone SE line. The spiritual successor to the iPhone SE introduces several changes to the iPhone SE, including an OLED panel and Face ID, while jettisoning the Touch ID Home button and more prominent bezels.
Apple has long resisted certain hardware trends in the smartphone industry, and one of the most consistent omissions in its devices is expandable storage. Whether you’re considering a high-end iPhone or an entry-level model like the iPhone SE, your storage options consistently remain limited to what Apple provides out of the box. So, does the iPhone 16e break this trend and offer a microSD card slot?

Is there a microSD slot in the iPhone 16e?
If you were hoping to expand the storage of the iPhone 16e with a microSD card, you’re out of luck. Just like every iPhone before it, the iPhone 16e does not include a microSD card slot. Apple has never included expandable storage in any of its smartphones, and the iPhone 16e is no exception.

Read more
Does the iPhone 16e have a 120Hz screen?
The iPhone SE 4 leaks via Prosser.

Apple's best iPhones don't come cheap. That said, it's been better about launching affordable versions of its flagship phones in the past few years. The iPhone 16e is the latest iteration of the cheaper SE series, which opens the gates for those of us who don't have as much money to spare. It succeeds the iPhone SE 3, a "small in size, big in value" phone that's been waiting for an upgrade for over two years.

Apple has stepped forward in some aspects, like adding premium features like Apple Intelligence and face recognition to the iPhone 16e, but it still might be a while until we see an increase in iPhone refresh rates. Here's everything we know about the iPhone 16e refresh rate and why a 120Hz rate is so appealing.
Does the iPhone 16e have a 120Hz refresh rate?
The iPhone 16e does not have a 120Hz refresh rate. At its launch event, Apple confirmed it would come with a 60Hz display, which matches the trend with its latest iPhones. The iPhone 16e is a budget iPhone, and not even the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a 120Hz refresh rate. That's a privilege reserved for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. For reference, both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have a 60Hz refresh rate. The iPhone SE 3 also had the same refresh rate.

Read more