You may have noticed that Apple is absent from our list of the best smart rings — but that could change in the future. Rumors continue to circulate that Apple is considering launching its own ring-shaped wearable, and here’s a roundup of the leaks, patents, and predictions that have surfaced so far.
There are clear parallels with the Apple Watch. When Apple entered the smartwatch market in 2015, it waited while competitors experimented and refined their products, before launching a polished device that quickly set the standard — a design philosophy that has remained largely intact ever since.
If Apple does decide to release a smart ring, it could follow a similar strategy, taking on devices such as the Oura Ring 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Below is everything we currently know — or suspect — about the long-rumored Apple Ring.
Following the patent trail
Patent filings don’t always result in consumer products, but they do offer insight into the concepts a company is exploring. Apple has been filing patents related to smart rings for several years, including a 2019 filing for a “wearable electronic ring computing device.”
That early patent described a ring that functioned as a controller for devices like the iPhone and Mac, featuring a tiny touchscreen, an integrated microphone, and biometric sensors. In many ways, it resembled a miniature Apple Watch — which may hint at the direction Apple could take with a ring wearable.
Additional patents have appeared over the years. A 2020 filing detailed a smart ring with advanced gesture controls for wirelessly interacting with devices such as Apple TV, while a 2023 patent outlined physical sensors capable of triggering actions across other Apple hardware.
Seamless integration appears to be central to Apple’s vision. Any future Apple Ring would almost certainly be designed to work effortlessly with iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, AirPods, and other devices in the Apple ecosystem.
Apple has even explored patents for wearables designed as anklets or lanyards, suggesting the company is thinking broadly about always-on, all-day wearable technology — not just rings worn on fingers.
Cancelled — or simply delayed?
Beyond patents, industry insiders have offered mixed signals on whether Apple will actually release a smart ring. In October 2024, respected Apple analyst Mark Gurman reported that Apple had no immediate plans to develop one, and no official product has surfaced since.
That view was echoed by Oura CEO Tom Hale, who suggested Apple was unlikely to enter the smart ring market anytime soon. One concern, he noted, is that a ring could cannibalize Apple Watch sales by tracking similar health metrics.
Not everyone agrees. Tech analysts point out that smart rings and smartwatches serve different purposes. Rings typically offer longer battery life and a more discreet form factor, making them appealing to users who don’t want a screen on their wrist. Samsung’s decision to launch the Galaxy Ring alongside the Galaxy Watch supports the idea that both products can coexist.
Adding to the uncertainty, another well-known leaker with a strong track record has suggested that a “ring-type wearable” remains in development at Apple, alongside several unreleased projects — something hardly surprising for a company of Apple’s scale.
For now, the Apple Ring remains hypothetical. Multiple Apple launch events have passed without any sign of it, but Apple’s deep investment in health and fitness technology, combined with years of patent activity, suggests the idea is far from abandoned. It may simply be a matter of Apple waiting until the design, features, and pricing align with its standards.
In short, it’s probably too early to give up on the Apple Ring just yet.
