Being a 30-something millennial means that, as well as developing hip pain and an aversion to nightclubs where the music is too loud, I can remember, fondly, ye olde tech of yesteryear. I remember dial-up internet, and yelling at my mum to get off the house phone because I wanted to chat to my mates on MSN. I remember cassette tapes and computers the size of small fridges. Guys, I remember floppy disks.
My point is, while some tech trends have stayed buried in the ’90s alongside a graveyard of Tamagotchis, others have a way of coming back around (just ask your mate who buys vinyls and brings a disposable camera to the pub).
The same is happening for wearable tech. Remember the smart watch boom circa 2014 when we all became obsessed with counting our steps? Well, things have come a long way since then. The smart watches and accessories of 2024 aren’t just glorified pedometers; they’re your personal trainer, executive assistant, and chic new piece of arm candy all in one.
They’re adorning the appendages of everyone from your ridiculously stylish colleague to the most decorated athletes at the Paris Olympics.Oh, and the GLAMOUR UK team. Yep, a bunch of us lucky GLAMOUR editors have been trialling Samsung’s latest wearable tech offerings for almost two months, and let’s just say we wouldn’t be without them now.
Most notably, we’re obsessed with the Samsung Galaxy Ring, a sensor-packed health-tracking ring that launched in July this year and is as fashion-forward as it is functional. The smart, discreet ring is just 7mm wide and 2.6mm thick – proving that premium wearable tech doesn’t need to be clunky and outfit-ruining – and comes in nine different size options and three colourways: black; silver; or gold. It’s made from titanium* for strength and durability, yet weighs under 3 grams (honestly, it’s so lightweight you forget it’s there).
It does everything you’d expect from a health tracker – heart rate, sleep monitoring, activity levels; all the tools needed to monitor your workouts and set your health goals – but things get seriously impressive when you consider the AI-powered Energy Score feature. It tracks your sleep cycles, heart rate variability and activity to provide you with an overall view of how ready you are to tackle the day, using an easy-to-understand Energy Score. Whether you need a gym sesh or a sofa day in front of Netflix, your ring knows. Couple these insights with daily tips and comprehensive info from the Samsung Health app – from sleep coaching to menstrual cycle-tracking* – and feeling your best self has never been easier.
For those of us who prefer our smart tech in watch form, the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 has, not to be dramatic, low-key changed our lives. Whether you’re tracking the weather, your kettlebell swings or your Deliveroo order, the 3.7 x 3.3cm screen displays every morsel of data you need to go about your day. An excellent addition to this model is the upgraded BioActive Sensor, the most advanced sensor on a Galaxy Watch, with 13 LEDs to track your metrics with high precision*. The watch is available in three colourways: green, silver, and – our fave – ‘quiet luxury cream’ (unofficial name).
Since using the Galaxy Watch7 or Galaxy Ring alongside the Samsung Health app, all of us on the GLAMOUR team agree, albeit despite our relatively short testing time, they provide actionable insights that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. I particularly found this with the Energy Score, and how my activity levels the previous day affected this. I never realised how sitting at my desk literally all day made me feel a little lethargic the next day, even if I’d got a good night’s sleep. It was an insightful, non-shamey reminder to move my body for my mind.
Also, the battery life is seriously impressive. I averaged six days of use, day and night, before I had to recharge my ring. But more importantly, and dare I say it, I haven’t felt this energised or motivated in a very long time. See you in the too-loud nightclub next weekend, Gen-Z.
Learn more at Samsung.com
*Titanium is only applied on the device casing.
*Not intended for contraception. Intended for users 18 years+. Users should not interpret or take clinical action based on the predictions made without consultation of a qualified healthcare professional.
*Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Requires Smartphone with Android 11+, Google Mobile Services, Samsung Health app, and Samsung Account.
