Garmin might be positioning itself to challenge Oura and shake up the current order of top smart rings. As someone who has used Garmin products for a long time, I believe there are three key strategies that could propel the brand to the forefront.
No Subscription Required
High subscription costs have been a long-standing issue for Whoop users, and while the Oura Ring is slightly more affordable, its functionality is heavily reliant on an active subscription. Without it, the device is nearly non-functional.
Garmin has already surpassed Whoop and Google with its Cirqa wristband. Continuing this trajectory could be beneficial for the brand.
Additionally, the price of the ring itself could be set lower than Oura’s. The Cirqa band, for instance, is priced at £179/$199, suggesting the ring might follow suit.
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
Even though Garmin offers an optional Connect+ subscription, I have never found it necessary. The default features provided meet most users’ needs.
The additional features in Connect+ mainly cater to avid fitness enthusiasts seeking AI-powered insights.
