Will Apple's next big thing be a smart ring? We analyze the state of play and answer the key questions.
The concept of an Apple smart ring has been gaining attention since the company was first awarded a related patent in 2015. However, more than a decade on, there’s still no resounding evidence to suggest an ‘Apple Ring’ is in development or set for release any time soon.
That doesn’t mean it’s not still a possibility for the future, though.
In addition to the numerous concepts and features envisioned in patent sketches, the occasional credible report in the last few years has hinted that a smart ring is a serious consideration for the Cupertino giant.
With brands such as Oura finding great success in the space, too, and traditional rivals like Samsung expected to deliver new hardware in 2026, it feels more likely than ever that Apple may enter the product category in the coming years.
In this guide, we’ll summarise everything there is to know about an Apple smart ring. You’ll discover hints at what an ‘iRing’ would actually do, how much we think one could retail at, and when it could potentially launch.
Is Apple actually working on a smart ring?
For years, the consensus from top industry insiders was that Apple had entirely written off a finger wearable. The Apple Vision Pro headset signified the brand’s latest significant hardware advancement, and prioritizing the technology while developing its ambient computing platform alongside Apple Intelligence was believed to be the company’s primary focus this decade.