Apple is reportedly abandoning the Smart Ring project to prioritize watch sales

Ever since Samsung launched its very first wearable ring – the Galaxy Ring – the rumor mill has suggested that Apple might have plans for it too. However, a new report highlights that the Cupertino-based tech giant has abandoned its plans for a smart ring. This is said to be an attempt to avoid cannibalization of Apple Watch sales, which remains the premier wearable device focused on health and fitness, and a complement to the iPhone.

Abandoned Apple Smart Ring project

In recent years, Apple patents Discoveries have been made for a smart ring that would not only come equipped with health and fitness tracking sensors, but also sensors aimed at better hand detection on the Apple Vision Pro – the company’s first-ever mixed reality headset. At the time, it was suggested that this smart ring could also be a screen-free alternative to the Apple Watch and would come at a lower cost. However, that may no longer be in the company’s plans.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple has abandoned its smart ring project. It is not “actively developing” a smart ring that could serve to replace the Apple Watch as a low-cost alternative due to the risk of the alleged device cannibalizing sales of the company’s smartwatches. Within the company, Apple Watch is considered a “leader” in the fitness tracking industry and has room to grow, according to Gurman.

For example, the iPhone maker has reportedly decided to focus on its Apple Watch series, which recently got new additions with the launch of Apple Watch Series 10 in September. It will likely remain one of Apple’s most important health and fitness-focused wearable devices.

In recent months, Apple has teased the development of a smart ring reportedly sending surveys to customers, including Apple Watch owners. While most questions revolved around the features and battery life of the company’s smartwatches, they were also asked if they use smart rings – a move that was thought to hint at a possible smart ring that was in development at the time .