Smart rings have grown from a niche curiosity into a mainstream way to track sleep and recovery, and two names lead the category: the Oura Ring 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Ring. If you are choosing between them, the decision usually comes down to one core split. Oura pairs strong accuracy with a mandatory subscription and works on both iPhone and Android, while the Galaxy Ring skips the subscription entirely and is built around an Android-first, Samsung-friendly ecosystem. Oura has launched the Oura Ring 5, which starts at $399, but the Ring 4 remains on sale from $349.
This guide breaks down price, compatibility, and health tracking so you can match the right ring to your phone and your priorities. For a wider look at the field, see our pick for the best smart ring overall.
Oura Ring 4 vs Samsung Galaxy Ring at a glance
| Feature | Oura Ring 4 | Samsung Galaxy Ring |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $349 | $399.99 list, sale prices vary |
| Subscription | Required, $5.99/month or $69.99/year | None |
| Battery | 5 to 8 days | 6 to 7 days |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android | Android only |
| Standout feature | Top-ranked sleep and HRV accuracy in validation studies | No subscription, coordinates with Galaxy Watch |
Price and subscription
At list price, the Oura Ring 4 costs about $349 and the Samsung Galaxy Ring $399.99. Samsung runs promotions that can bring the Galaxy Ring below the Oura, so check the current price in Samsung’s US store before you buy. The catch is that Oura requires a subscription to unlock its full feature set. That membership costs $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year, and without it the app locks you out of detailed insights and leaves you with only basic scores.
The Galaxy Ring has no subscription at all. Once you buy it, every feature is included for the life of the device. That changes the long-term math. A year of Oura membership adds $69.99, which brings the Oura total to about $419, already more than the Galaxy Ring’s $399.99 list price. The fee repeats every year you own the ring, so the gap grows to about $90 after two years and about $160 after three. Over time, the subscription-free Galaxy Ring is the cheaper ring, even at full price. We put both against the rest of the field, with the cancellation and refund terms spelled out, in our guide to the true 3-year cost of every smart ring. If you want to weigh other options that avoid recurring fees, see our roundup of subscription-free smart rings.
Compatibility is the deciding factor
For many buyers, compatibility settles the choice before anything else. The Oura Ring 4 works with both iOS and Android, so it fits any phone you carry. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is Android only, and some of its features lean on Samsung phones specifically, with Energy Score and Wellness Tips being examples that Samsung says require a compatible Galaxy phone.
The practical takeaway is simple. If you use an iPhone, the Galaxy Ring is not an option, so Oura is your pick. If you carry an Android phone, both rings are open to you, and a Samsung phone makes the Galaxy Ring a more complete package.
Health tracking
Oura has built its reputation on measurement quality. The Ring 4 uses what the company calls Smart Sensing, a mix of red, green, and near-infrared LEDs. In an independent 2025 study, its overnight HRV agreed with an ECG reference better than any other wearable tested. A 2024 study found the previous-generation Oura ring no different from polysomnography, the measurement used in a sleep lab, in estimating sleep stages. A temperature sensor adds cycle insights, which makes it a strong choice for anyone tracking menstrual patterns. The titanium ring is light, ranging from 3.3 to 5.2 grams depending on size.
The Samsung Galaxy Ring covers the core metrics most people want. It tracks heart rate, motion, and skin temperature, and it adds snore detection when your phone is within 2 feet of you, according to Samsung. Its standout trick is coordination with the Galaxy Watch: when you wear both, the watch takes over some measurements, which Samsung says extends the ring’s battery life by up to 30 percent. If you already wear a Galaxy Watch, the ring becomes part of a connected system rather than a standalone tracker. The concave titanium design fits comfortably alongside a watch.
Which should you buy?
Choose the Oura Ring 4 if you use an iPhone, if you want some of the most accurate sleep and recovery data available in a ring, or if temperature-based cycle tracking matters to you. Just budget for the ongoing membership fee.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Ring if you are on Android, especially with a Samsung phone, if you want to avoid subscriptions entirely, or if you already own a Galaxy Watch and want the two to work together. It covers the essentials well without locking features behind a paywall.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Samsung Galaxy Ring work with an iPhone?
No. The Galaxy Ring is Android only, and some features require a Samsung phone. If you use an iPhone, the Oura Ring 4 is the better fit because it supports both iOS and Android.
Do I have to pay a subscription for the Oura Ring 4?
Yes. Oura requires a membership at $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year to unlock its full insights. Without it, the app shows only basic scores. The Galaxy Ring has no subscription.
Are both rings available to buy in the US?
Yes. Neither ring was affected by the 2025 US ITC import ban that hit some rival ring brands, and both are on sale in the US. The two companies are in a patent dispute of their own, however: the ITC opened investigations into Oura’s complaint against Samsung in December 2025 and Samsung’s complaint against Oura in January 2026.
Verdict
The Oura Ring 4 is the better all-around tracker, with top-ranked accuracy in validation studies and broad phone support, as long as you accept the subscription. The Samsung Galaxy Ring is the smarter pick for Android and Samsung users who want a one-time purchase with no recurring fees and tight integration with the Galaxy Watch. Match the ring to your phone first, then weigh accuracy against the cost of ownership.
Last updated: September 2026. Prices and specifications change over time, so check the retailer for current details. Kracked is editorially independent and not affiliated with the brands mentioned. The wellness features described here cannot provide a medical diagnosis; consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Recentic, our sister site. Correction, September 2026: an earlier version called the Oura Ring 4 the cheaper of the two rings, listed blood oxygen among the Galaxy Ring’s measurements and did not mention the Oura Ring 5.
Last fact-checked: 30 September 2026