Apple smart ring could be arriving sooner than expected

The gossip is buzzing once more, with a fresh supply chain report suggesting that the “Apple Ring” might be coming sooner than we thought. Samsung’s hint about the Galaxy Ring at its Unpacked event in January is expected to significantly grow the smart ring market. But according to a report, Apple might not be too far behind in introducing its own version.

According to a source in the industry who spoke to ETNews on Tuesday, Apple is on the brink of launching the rumored wearable. With numerous patent applications filed and spurred on by Samsung’s moves, it seems Apple’s turn might be just around the corner.

“Apple has consistently released smart ring-related patents for several years, so advanced development for commercialization appears to be imminent,” the insider told the report.

Apple is reportedly thinking about when to release the device, but it’s not clear how soon it could actually hit the market. If this is true, Apple could be stepping into a market that’s set to explode. According to Business Research Insight, the global smart ring market could jump from $20 million in 2023 to nearly $200 million by 2031, growing tenfold in just 8 years.

It’s believed that as the market expands, the ecosystem for components required for such hardware, like biosensors for tracking the wearer’s health, will be rejuvenated. Given Apple’s focus on healthcare, smart rings are an area of interest for the company in promoting wellness.

ETNews isn’t known for being super accurate with its Apple predictions, but it’s a big player in the Apple rumor scene. However, there haven’t been any other reliable rumors or leaks about this supposed smart ring, which is unusual for an upcoming Apple product. This makes the idea of an “imminent” launch seem unlikely. That being said, ETNews does make a good point about the number of patents Apple has filed for this device.

The report talks about an Apple patent from November that involves a smart ring and short-range wireless communication, allowing users to control smartphones and other devices. In this patent, Apple suggested using an external band on the ring, which could offer additional touch controls or rotation.

In 2023, AppleInsider reported on smart ring patents that allow the device to control other gadgets, featuring pressure-sensitive input, the potential to control an Apple Vision Pro headset, and even one that can detect when a user snaps their fingers.