Smart Ring Shipments Surged 49% in 2025, IDC Reports — Oura, Samsung, and RingConn Drive Mainstream Adoption

Smart rings are officially the fastest-growing wearable category. New IDC data shows smart ring shipments jumped 49% in 2025, far outpacing smartwatches' modest 6% growth — and 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger.

Why the Surge?

• Oura's dominance: Oura leads the market with a projected $2 billion in 2026 revenue and 5 million paid members, having recently filed for an IPO at an $11 billion valuation
• Samsung validation: The Galaxy Ring brought mainstream credibility to the category in 2024, even as Samsung has gone quiet on a successor
• No-subscription alternatives: RingConn Gen 3 and Ultrahuman Ring Pro are attracting price-conscious buyers with subscription-free models
• Health feature expansion: Blood pressure monitoring, vascular health tracking, and GLP-1 medication tracking are pushing rings beyond basic sleep and activity

Market Outlook

Analysts project the broader wearable device market will grow from 403 million shipments in 2026 to 544 million by 2031, generating $44 billion in revenue this year alone. Smart rings and NFC rings together are expected to reach 113.5 million shipments by 2031.

What This Means for Buyers

More competition means better products and lower prices. With three major smart rings launching in mid-2026 — the Oura Ring 5 at $399, RingConn Gen 3 at $299, and Ultrahuman Ring Pro at $349 — buyers have never had more options. Browse all in our smart ring guide.