There was a time when wearable gadgets looked awkward, chunky wristbands, flashy designs, the kind of thing you’d expect only tech enthusiasts or gym regulars to rock. That is no longer the case. With the rise of smartwatches, wearables have gone mainstream. From counting daily steps to tracking sleep and heart rate, smartwatches have become everyday companions for millions of people. For some, it is about fitness; for others, it is the convenience of seeing calls, texts, and music controls without reaching for their phones.

Nigerians are never left out of tech excitement. Young professionals, students, and even older folks are embracing smartwatches as lifestyle gadgets. While there is no exact local data yet, global shipments crossed 200 million in 2024, and Nigeria has been part of that boom thanks to affordable Chinese and mid-range brands. What used to be a “tech toy” has become a practical tool for everyday life.

Now, as tech keeps shrinking and blending more seamlessly into fashion, another wearable is quietly stepping up: smart rings. Small, stylish, and often mistaken for regular jewellery, these rings deliver the same kind of tracking and connectivity you’d expect from a smartwatch, but without drawing attention.

Smart rings could take over

What makes smart rings exciting is their subtlety. A smartwatch announces itself; a ring does not. It does not buzz loudly or flash on your wrist during a meeting. Instead, it blends into daily outfits, looking like jewellery while working silently in the background. Yet inside, it can track activity, measure heart rate, monitor sleep, and even sync with your phone. Some models even support contactless payments, letting you pay with just a tap of your finger.

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For Nigerians who value gadgets that balance practicality and style, smart rings could be the next step. Many people enjoy smartwatches but complain about their bulkiness, frequent charging, or how out of place they can feel in formal or stylish settings. A ring solves much of that. It’s light, discreet, and easy to wear all day.

Globally, adoption of smart rings is still in its early stages, but it is growing. Three brands currently lead the pack. Oura is seen as the pioneer, famous for its accurate health and sleep tracking, especially among professionals and athletes. Samsung recently entered the market with its Galaxy Ring, banking on its strong ecosystem and reputation for stylish, user-friendly devices. Ultrahuman, on the other hand, has attracted attention with rings that focus on metabolic health and fitness performance, making them a hit with health-conscious users. These players are shaping the competition and setting the standard for what consumers expect from a smart ring.

With Nigerians’ growing appetite for stylish, affordable devices, it is only a matter of time before these rings start appearing in local tech stores, especially as competition brings prices down.

Rings or watches: What will Nigerians choose?

Of course, smart rings are not perfect yet. Battery life is still a challenge, features differ from brand to brand, and prices remain high compared to entry-level smartwatches. But if history is anything to go by, costs will drop as more players enter the market.

The big question is whether Nigerians will see smart rings as replacements or as complements to smartwatches. Some may switch completely for the simplicity and discreet look. Others may use both, a smartwatch for workouts and a ring for everyday wear. Either way, wearable tech is clearly moving from flashy wristbands to gadgets that blend effortlessly into daily fashion.

What began with clunky fitness trackers has now become a race to make tech invisible. Smartwatches brought millions of Nigerians into that world. Smart rings may well be the next step, offering the same functionality in a smaller, sleeker package.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri