Samsung's Galaxy Ring: Once sold out in hours, now discounted to 290,000 won

Has the Galaxy Ring fallen out of favor?

Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Ring once sold out almost instantly after launch, but consumer interest has since dropped so sharply that rumors of a discontinuation have begun to circulate.

The device, which originally retailed at 490,000 won ($329), is now trading on online shopping platforms for around 290,000 won.

The Galaxy Ring is Samsung Electronics' first ring-form wearable device. Its initial reception was explosive — the product sold out almost immediately after launch. Samsung's US online store ran out of its opening stock so quickly that sales were temporarily suspended.

Samsung Electronics' official Chinese website also displayed a "sold out" notice for the Galaxy Ring, with the initial inventory gone within a single day.

The product drew strong attention right after launch as a novel and intriguing gadget, but interest has since completely faded.

An industry official said the Galaxy Ring generated strong early buzz precisely because it was unlike anything seen before, but that sales have now nearly dried up. "The smart ring market is still in its early stages, and the Galaxy Ring doesn't offer enough differentiation from the Galaxy Watch, so there are almost no customers looking for it," the official said.

A key criticism of the Galaxy Ring has been that a device priced close to 500,000 won cannot be repaired. An industry official called the ring "100 percent disposable" — it cannot be disassembled and therefore cannot be fixed. "If it breaks, you just throw the whole thing away," the official said.

Despite sluggish sales and discontinuation rumors, Samsung Electronics is reportedly developing a next-generation smart ring, the Galaxy Ring 2.

Specific hardware specifications and new features for the Galaxy Ring 2 have not been disclosed, but battery life is expected to improve to roughly nine to 10 days, and the device is expected to be thinner and lighter for a better fit.

The accuracy of the heart rate and skin temperature sensors is also expected to improve, enabling more in-depth health analysis and a broader range of health metrics.

Industry insiders do not expect the Galaxy Ring 2 to be officially unveiled at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event next week, but say there is a chance it could make its first appearance at least in the form of a teaser video.