Galaxy Ring 2 in Limbo: Samsung Loses Key Oura Patent Ruling, Smart Ring Future Uncertain

Samsung's smart ring ambitions hit another obstacle. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruled that Samsung failed to prove Oura's US Patent No. 11,188,124 B2 — covering a "wearable computing device in the shape of a ring" — was obvious. The ruling leaves Oura's strongest IP weapon intact.

The Patent War Timeline

• October 2025: Oura filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung in federal court
• November 2025: Oura escalated with an International Trade Commission complaint
• 2026: Samsung counter-sued, accusing Oura of infringing Samsung's own health-data patents
• September 2026: PTAB sides with Oura, ruling Samsung failed to invalidate the key ring-form-factor patent

Galaxy Ring 2 Status

Samsung's TM Roh confirmed at Galaxy Unpacked 2026 that the Galaxy Ring 2 is in "advanced development." However, the patent loss adds legal risk to any US launch. The original Galaxy Ring remains on sale at $399.

Oura's Counter-Offensive

Meanwhile, Oura is pressing every advantage: the Oura Ring 5 launched in South Korea on August 25, directly challenging Samsung on its home turf. The company filed for a US IPO in May targeting a $16B+ valuation, and its revenue nearly doubled to $1.21 billion for the nine months ended June 30.

What Smart Ring Buyers Should Do

If you want a Galaxy Ring, buy the current model while it's available. If you're undecided between Samsung and Oura, the Oura Ring ecosystem faces no legal uncertainty. Read our full guide: Which Smart Ring Should You Buy Now?