Apple 'iRing' Smart Ring in Active Development, Leaker Claims — Would Rival Oura Ring 5 and Samsung Galaxy Ring

Apple may finally be entering the smart ring market. Leaker and prototype collector Kosutami posted on June 24 that an Apple smart ring project called "iRing" is in active development, with a follow-up claiming the device is aimed squarely at competing with the Oura Ring 5 and Samsung Galaxy Ring.

What We Know

• Status: Active development — covering everything from early prototypes to near-final hardware
• Target competitors: Oura Ring 5 ($399) and Samsung Galaxy Ring ($399)
• Patents on file: Heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure, OLED display, gesture control for VR/MR devices, and smart home control
• Timeline: No launch date — 2027 at the earliest based on Apple's typical development cycle

Why This Matters

This represents a significant shift from October 2024, when Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple had no plans for a smart ring, citing internal concern that a finger-worn tracker would cannibalize Apple Watch sales. The change in direction likely reflects the explosive growth of the smart ring market — shipments surged in 2025 and Oura's $11 billion IPO filing validated the category.

Should You Wait?

No. Even if Apple's iRing is real, a 2027 launch means at least 12–18 months of waiting with zero confirmed specs. Today's best smart rings — the Oura Ring 4 from $227, the Samsung Galaxy Ring, or the RingConn Gen 2 from $169 — deliver excellent health tracking right now. Compare all options in our smart ring guide.