Product test
RingConn review: this ring scores points with its battery and price
by Lorenz Keller
RingConn2 test: smaller, lighter but more powerful
10.12.2024
Translation: Elicia Payne
The second generation of the smart RingConn has mainly changed in two areas: design and battery life. The design is more compact and the battery lasts significantly longer. What’s also nice to see in the test is the ongoing software development.
In August, RingConn launched it’s first smart ring in Switzerland. Now the second generation is already on the market – with updated hardware. In terms of functions, it’s very similar to its predecessor, which continues to be sold as an affordable entry-level version.
Visibly more dainty and lighter
The RingConn2 is the most compact smart ring I’ve tested to date. It looks really thin and dainty on my finger. This is particularly important for people with smaller hands who don’t like wearing bulky jewellery. It’ll look more elegant on them.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Like its predecessor, the ring is available in sizes 6 to 14. A sizing kit is essential to ensure the piece of jewellery really fits comfortably. Since the rings are built exactly the same and feel the same, you can also refer to the size specifications of the first gen. For example, I wear size 11 for the middle finger of my left hand on both models (and on all other rings tested so far).
In the image below, featuring the rings from Ultrahuman and Samsung as well as the first generation of RingConn, you can see that the new model has a really compact design. The figures prove this too: Gen 1 is still 2.6 millimetres thick, while Gen 2 is only 2 millimetres thick. The overall width of the ring decreases from 7.8 to 6.8 millimetres. Depending on the hand, this can make a huge difference in wearing comfort.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The fact it’s lighter doesn’t make much difference, because none of them weigh much at all. The new model in my size weighs 2.6 grammes according to my measurements and 3.7 grammes for the old one. For comparison, the Samsung ring weighs 3.0 grammes, the Ultrahuman 3.1 grammes.
By the way, the manufacturer’s changed the colours a little. The black version is still matt with a polished, slightly shimmering rim. The other two colours are very shiny, which I think looks nice in silver; but gold looks like costume jewellery.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Slim, yet more battery life
It’s astonishing that the runtime of a single battery charge doesn’t suffer from the compact dimensions. The opposite, in fact: the manufacturer promises up to eleven days of battery life. That would be a record. I measure around nine days plus a few hours.
Brilliant. On the predecessor, I measured a battery life of six to seven days. So it’s improved by two to three days.
You can still charge the ring directly in the metal case supplied. It has a high-quality look and is a helpful place to store the ring when you’re not wearing it. The case has a built-in rechargeable battery, similar to in-ear headphones.
It’s nice that I can really wear the ring for a long time without interruption and receive a complete set of data. Conversely, however, I have to remind myself that the RingConn will need to be charged at some point.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Software develops without a subscription
The Smartring uses an app to evaluate tracking data. This is where you’ll find all customisable settings. It’s good to see that the software’s being continuously developed. In the last test in August, for example, the «wellness balance» was still in beta status. Now it’s been integrated as a permanent function.
The ring, like all others, tracks heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature and heart rate variability (HRV). This is used to calculate values such as sleep, activities, stress and wellness balance. This happens on the RingConn server, where a lot of data is processed. This also means that you must agree to the privacy policy and trust the manufacturer.
The app display has developed and improved significantly during this time. Instead of a network diagram, you now see four hearts arranged in a cloverleaf with the values «Sleep», «Relax status», «Activity» and «Vitals Status», which are filled to a greater or lesser extent depending on the data recorded. So you can easily see at a glance what you need to be aware of.
The app’s still very reserved with notifications. You’re not constantly being told what else you should do, what you’ve already achieved and so on. It’s a matter of personal preference, you may like it a lot – or it might be lacking tips and tricks to increase your well-being.
Source: Lorenz Keller
What’s important to know is that the first generation of RingConn also uses the same software. And most of the functions are identical. The biggest difference is, the new ring has better sleep tracking and can detect signs of sleep apnoea by closely monitoring sleep over three nights and registering breathing interruptions.
How good is the tracking?
This isn’t easy to determine without tests in a laboratory or medical supervision. The best example of this is the new apnoea tracking. Since no one diagnosed with apnoea voluntarily abstains from therapy for several nights and sleeps poorly, it’s not so easy to monitor this. Conversely, a negative response from the app, as in my test, is no guarantee that you don’t have a sleep disorder.
This is because apnoea can only be reliably diagnosed by a doctor from measurements in a sleep laboratory or special equipment. Why is an apnoea function still useful for rings or smartwatches? Because half of all diseases (link in German) remain undetected and any indication of irregularities can lead to diagnoses being made. If the RingConn 2 doesn’t show anything, but you have symptoms such as snoring, breathing interruptions, headaches in the morning, daytime sleepiness, etc., you should still discuss this with your doctor in the same way as if the tracker reports irregularities.
In my day-to-day routine, I was able to randomly compare specific data, such as heart rate and sleep, with the Google Pixel Watch 3. The values were very similar in each case, which reassures me that the measurement technology works.
Source: Lorenz Keller
One area I was able to test very accurately was the pedometer. I wore two smart rings plus a smartwatch. I measured 1000 steps by hand with a clicker and then another 1000 steps with the rings, in each case on the other hand.
I was glad that all three trackers recorded the 2000 steps fairly accurately and none of them measured too many steps. The Pixel Watch 3 was the furthest off the mark with 1968 steps. The Samsung Galaxy Ring counted only eight steps too few, the RingConn2 only four steps too few. The watch is consistently two to three per cent too low, while the fluctuations in the rings are greater.
Overall, the activity figures measured throughout the day should be pretty accurate and by no means totally exaggerated – something many critics are concerned about.
In a nutshell
A better ring thanks to little improvements
The second generation of the RingConn offers two clearly noticeable and visible improvements. The Smart Ring has a battery life of over nine days and is also significantly slimmer and more compact than its predecessor – and almost all of its competitors.
The RingConn2 now has apnoea tracking and better sleep recording; otherwise it’s identical to the RingConn1. This is still available and, based on the current price, a cheaper alternative.
Pro
- Long battery life
- Good and discreet tracking
- Slim design, even for small hands
- Software updates ongoing
Contra
- Few new functions
- Expensive compared to its predecessor
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
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