It offers features such as sleep apnea tracking, and up to 14 days of battery life
To celebrate, RingConn has entered a partnership with Warner Bros.
The RingConn Gen 3 has arrived. After going up for pre-order in May earlier this year, it's now available to buy, starting at $349 (around £260 / AU$500). And to celebrate, it's entered an unusual partnership... or should that be Fellowship?
Let's have a look at the ring first. It offers haptic vibration alerts for health events (not notifications), which not even the best smart rings can do. Other features of note include vascular health insights, blood pressure and sleep apnea features. RingConn said the feature is 'the first smart ring brand to introduce sleep apnea monitoring with continuous SpO2 tracking every two seconds....all with no recurring subscription for premium insights.'
The key is in the specifics there, as other smart rings do offer reliable sleep apnea tracking. Recently at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, the Samsung Galaxy Ring was cleared for FDA approval for its sleep apnea detection feature, so it's likely RingConn's claims are due to its specific sleep-tracking methodology regarding SpO2 measurement. We've reached out to RingConn for clarification.
Otherwise, the ring features compatability with iOS and Android, women's health tracking and activity tracking. With vibration alerts on, the Ring lasts 10 days, stretching to 14 with them off. It all seems very reasonably priced for a ring without an additional subscription, and we're almost finished with our RingConn Gen 3 review. Watch this space!
(Image credit: Future)
Counting your steps to Mordor
It finally happened: a smart ring company entered a partnership with Warner Bros. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (otherwise known as The Best One, and I'll hear no arguments otherwise). However, I certainly didn't expect it to be RingConn.
A press release states the partnership is 'bringing together one of fantasy's most epic film series and a new generation of wearable technology' as 'the collaboration celebrates the shared belief that greater awareness can empower better choices.'
Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a redesign of the Gen 3 ring to resemble the famous One Ring from the movies. The release says that 'to mark the partnership, RingConn will introduce exclusive film-themed rewards for eligible Gen 3 customers in the United States of America' — but it doesn't establish what those rewards actually are. In the words of Frodo: "all right then, keep your secrets".
Despite the fact that it's not been officially announced, there's a lot of information (albeit all unverified) going around about the Google Pixel Watch 5.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 has become the best Android smartwatch for most people, getting better with each iteration. That model was announced last August, and it's very likely a sequel is on the horizon. Here's everything we know so far, including the most recent leaks.
When is the Google Pixel Watch 5 coming out?
August 12.Last year's 'Made by Google' event took place on August 20, and Google looks set to stick to that annual timeframe.
Google has officially confirmed that pre-orders will open for new Google Pixel phones on August 12, and it makes sense to assume that the Google Pixel Watch 5 will be released alongside its companion Pixel devices.
What will the Google Pixel Watch 5 look like?
(Image credit: The TideChart)
It'll be very similar to the Google Pixel Watch 4. We actually have what's purported to be leaked renders of the device, coming from noted leaker OnLeaks via The Tide Chart, a website with a single post to its name (so treat this rumor as unverified).
Despite this solitary post and lack of credible history, The Tide Chart (TTC) did correctly call the August 12 event date before Google announced it, so there is a claim of legitimacy there. The renders look extremely similar to the Google Pixel Watch 4, with the now-classic teardrop shape in its new-last-year dome, in four new colors and two sizes.
Those colors are Dark Anthracite (above) with a black band, Natural Silver with a pale gray band, Pyrite with an olive band, and Warm Gold with a pink coral band. The larger size reportedly remains the same at 45mm, but the smaller size is now 42mm instead of 41mm.
Will the price remain the same?
Not according to TTC. The blog says the watch's list price will start at $399 (around £295 / AU$570) for the Wi-Fi-only 42mm version, a $50 increase over the smallest Wi-Fi-only Pixel Watch 4 in the US.
The price will go up with each model, and the LTE-enabled 45mm Pixel Watch 5 is said to cost a hefty $529 (around £395 / AU$755).
The equivalent Pixel Watch 4 costs $499, a $30 increase over the model in the US. We don't yet know the equivalent prices for the Pixel Watch 5 in the UK or Australia.
Any new features?
(Image credit: Google)
This we're not yet sure about. We can expect Wear OS 7 to include yet more AI capabilities, especially for Pixel phone users, similar to the way watchOS 27 uses Siri AI to work across multiple devices.
Repairability — a standout feature for the Pixel Watch 4, allowing users to take apart the smartwatch and replace the display and battery — and limited satellite connectivity to send SOS messages without signal are both expected to make a welcome return.
A bizarre story earlier this year had a reported prototype of the Google Pixel Watch 5 discovered on the ocean floor, near the island of St Martin. It's said to have had labels including ‘SpO2’ (Blood Oxygen Level), ‘EDA’ (Electrodermal Activity), ‘Skin Temperature’, ‘Heart Rate Sensor’, ‘Pulse Sensor’, and ‘UWB’ (Ultra-Wideband) — all features present in earlier iterations of the watch.
We can expect Google's new AI Health Coach and the revamped Google Health app to play a role. These debuted earlier this year in tandem with the Google Fitbit Air.
Amazon Prime Day is the perfect time to find yourself a new smartwatch. But while most people use the word 'smartwatch' in a very general sense, there is a massive variety in the category, and the right smartwatch has to fit your lifestyle and budget.
Do you want something that could pass convincingly for an analog watch that can also field notifications and make calls, or do you want a rugged trail companion that'll withstand everything from seawater to rock-scrambling? A cheap fitness tracker or a super-premium specialist golf watch?
Below are 24 deals on every kind of smartwatch, mainly from Amazon but here and there from other sites running anti-Prime Day sales, for you to peruse this week. It's likely the wearable you're looking for is here, whether you want a rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3 for Prime Day or a low-priced, high-performer like the Amazfit Active 2.
Save an impressive 30% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic, which features a rotating bezel that lets you scroll through the watch's options intuitively and resembles the look of a classic watch. It comes in one size (large, 46mm) with either a black or a white leather strap. View Deal
A 4.5-star smartwatch with super-accurate health and activity tracking, as well as AI features, we reviewed this watch and called it 'a triumph'. This larger 44mm version has a staggering 38% off, but the smaller 40mm versions start at $229.99 (was $349.99).View Deal
For one of Apple's latest smartwatches, $120 off is more than generous, especially if you're looking to upgrade for the latest watchOS 27 support, which comes with Siri AI goodies. This is the first time this month the Apple Watch Series 11 has dropped in price, but it's unlikely it'll see a bigger reduction this Prime Day.View Deal
As far as Apple's basic smartwatch range goes, not only is the SE 3 a speedy upgrade from its predecessor (it has the same chip as the Ultra 3), but it has the firmware to support watchOS 27. For less than $200, you can benefit from core fitness tracking features as well as the neat new tools that are on the way, which include Siri AI, all while not having to spend a shedload on an advanced model if you know you won't need all the nitty-gritty bells and whistles. We named this the best Apple Watch for most people, a safe and inexpensive option. View Deal
Are you a Garmin user who wants to try something different? The Apple Watch Ultra range is a solid Garmin rival if a) you like using your smartwatch without having to keep your iPhone nearby, and b) you know you'll want to get a kick out of its plethora of extreme sports features. As predicted, this model has seen another price drop just before Prime Day, hitting a record-low discount. It's the best watch of last year.View Deal
$250 off the five-star Garmin Fenix 8 in its smallest 43mm size and Whitestone colorway. Perfect for those who want serious power on smaller wrists (and adventure watches are usually big, lumpy affairs, so it's nice to have a smaller option), it still packs an impressive 10-day battery life, advanced training features, an LED flashlight, and full-color maps. View Deal
Here's a chance to get a whopping 50% off the original retail price of the excellent Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2). The 4.5-star smartwatch is an excellent buy for dedicated and enthusiast runners, thanks to its top-tier health tracking and GPS navigation features. You also get a clear AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, and a titanium bezel. As far as premium smartwatches go, this value prospect is tough to beat.View Deal
You can save $20 on this already-cheap watch, making it an absolute steal. Beyond reliable fitness tracking, a nice screen, a stainless steel case, 10-day battery life, and free map software (not even Garmin will give you that at this price), you get the Premium super-tough sapphire glass, NFC payments, and a nicer strap than the base Active 2.View Deal
The Garmin Vivoactive 5is a fantastic all-rounder fitness smartwatch with tons of workout plans, a crisp AMOLED display, onboard GPS, and 11 days of battery life. At this price, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better-performing watch for general fitness, health, and exercise tracking. A Fitbit beater.View Deal
Right now, you can save $50 on both 41mm and 45mm Garmin Venu 4 models, in a variety of colors: Black and Lunar Gold for the 41mm, Grey and Citron for the 45mm. Up to 10 days of battery life, great workout and wellness tracking, and lots of Garmin Connect IQ third-party app support. View Deal
Save a cool $80 on the Google Pixel Watch 4, one of the best Android watches overall. But the real star of this deal is that as it's an LTE watch, Best Buy are offering 2 years of LTE data absolutely free, so you can call, email, and check messages even without a phone nearby. Beat that, Amazon!
The Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) has a superb discount in the UK as well. Runners will not want to miss this best-ever offer on the 4.5-star smartwatch, which offers excellent health tracking and GPS navigation features. The vibrant AMOLED display and rugged titanium bezel make it easy to see and resilient. I ran a marathon with this, and at this price I'd buy it over any other Garmin. View Deal
In the UK there's a 20% discount on the Premium version of the five-star watch. Amazfit's health and fitness suite includes free maps, heart rate, sleep data, workout profiles, GPS and lots more, and NFC allows you to load your cards into its digital wallet. At this price is really is a steal. View Deal
A lowest-ever price on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 means there's never been a better time to snap this up. Garmin's comprehensive training app has served me well for years, while the Vivoactive 5 at this price is an easy buy for Fitbit users who are used to cheaper price points. View Deal
£149 off the white 43mm Fenix 8 model. A five-button configuration and AMOLED touchscreen mean you can operate the watch while wearing gloves in adverse weather conditions. It's perfect for hikers, skiers, campers, and triathletes. View Deal
Save 25% on both smaller and larger models with LTE enabled, which means you can add them to your phone's data plan and install an eSIM for phone-free data use using only your watch. Very handy. View Deal
Save a cool 33% on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra in all colorways, including the fetching Titanium Blue version introduced last year. While it's not the best choice for everyone, its power, longevity (up to 100 hours!) and rugged durability means it's well-made for adventurers and triathletes. Watch out, Garmin. View Deal
Folks in the UK have a seriously tempting offer here at First Class Watches, where you can save a huge £700 on the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2)! This is enormous, and I have never seen the premium watch as close to the thousand-pound mark as this. Considering this was a multi-thousand-pound watch not that long ago, this is a great deal for those on the premium device hunt.View Deal
Luckily for UK shoppers, this is the lowest price for one of Apple's latest and most advanced wearables. With that in mind, waiting around for another Prime Day price drop may not be the best idea if it's already record-low ahead of the big event. View Deal
Just like its US equivalent, shoppers in the UK can pick up the Apple Watch Series 11 for the same price, and its price history is similar. This device likes to yo-yo in price so it's difficult to tell when the next price drop will occur, so it may be worth scoring it now while you can, especially if you don't like to take risks when it comes to Prime Day. View Deal
This is the lowest price we've seen the SE 3 hit in the UK, but this is another listing that has a history of jumping between high and low price points. As mentioned earlier, we recommend the SE 3 for users who want a just-above entry level device, and the upside is that it will support watchOS 27 when it drops later this yearView Deal
This is the best price we've yet seen a Google Pixel Watch 4, bringing the top Android watch down to under $300 in all four colors. An absolute steal if you can get it.
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