Samsung smart ring leak suggests Oura rival will be packed with health sensors

Samsung could be in the process of developing its first smart ring - one that would feature the ability to take ECG measurements, monitor temperature and even control other connected devices.

That's if a recently uncovered patent is anything to go by, at least. Filed in October last year with the USPTO - and first spotted by Korean outlet Naver - the filing's sketches and notes point to a fairly sensor-packed ring.

At least from what's suggested, the wearable would feature an array that would make it fairly competent in both activity and health tracking. According to Naver, it may also feature the ability to take blood pressure readings, matching the capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

In terms of general smart features, it's hinted that the ring could have functions to help link up with and control the likes of smartphones, tablets and TVs, too, which is the kind of integration we've yet to really witness on a smart ring.

As with any patents of this nature, though, there's really not a lot of concrete information to go off - only that this, at the very least, shows Samsung is kicking the tires on the form factor.

It does make plenty of sense for a big-name company to join a smart ring market currently dominated by startups, however, and, given Samsung's reputation as an innovator, it's possible that a Galaxy Smart Ring would prove to be a popular alternative to the company's smartwatches.

Even without any of its usual competition, though, Samsung has plenty of catching up to do, with the likes of the Oura Ring 3 offering up excellent sleep tracking accuracy and plenty of health insights in form factors that are getting both thinner and lighter.

Only time will tell if this is a route Samsung ends up taking, of course, but we'll be sure to track any further rumblings on the topic ahead of what could be a big 2023 for Samsung's wearable lineup.