3 reasons the Galaxy Ring 3 likely won’t debut at February’s Galaxy Unpacked event — and 1 reason it might

The Samsung Galaxy Ring in silver against an outer space background with stars

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Samsung’s annual winter launch event, Galaxy Unpacked 2026, is rumored to take place on February 24, where we will likely get our first look at the next-gen Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphone lineup. Far less likely to appear is the Samsung Galaxy Ring 2.

Despite launching all the way back in 2024, the Samsung Galaxy Ring remains one of the best smart rings you can buy today. Still, rumors of a replacement have been swirling around ever since the model began shipping in July 2024.

1. Samsung insiders say so

Close-up photo of the Samsung Galaxy Ring worn on the index finger of hand which is typing on a keyboard. — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

According to a December insider report from the Korean JooAng Daily, the Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 will not launch at the 2026 Galaxy Unpacked event (likely) in February alongside the new S26 smartphone models. The main reason? A fresh patent dispute with smart ring powerhouse, Oura.

2. Samsung is locked in a legal battle with Oura

The Oura Ring 4 ceramic between a person's fingers in front of some flowers — (Image credit: Future)

Legal kerfuffles between major brands are nothing new; who could forget the wild ride that was the Apple vs Masimo patent debacle?

Now, it’s Samsung's turn. Oura filed a patent dispute in November 2025 with the International Trade Commission, alleging that Samsung and other smart ring manufacturers are infringing on an array of the brand’s tech. Oura is seeking both damages and an injunction halting the sales of these products.

However, on December 1, 2025, Samsung countersued, claiming that Oura is the one actively infringing on Samsung’s patents, including those for generating workout goals, charging tech, and more.

Ultimately, until this patent disagreement is properly sorted, it seems highly unlikely that Samsung will release a new Galaxy Ring model, given that a loss in court could mean yanking the brand-new ring from store shelves.

3. No recent spec or feature leaks

Close-up photo of the black version of Samsung's Galaxy Ring held between thumb and index finger in front of a garden. — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Aside from reports of Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 delays, there has been little to no new information regarding the design, features, or specs of the wearable in the last six months. Generally speaking, when a new smartwatch or ring is just about to debut, the rumor and leak mills are abuzz.

Right now, that isn’t the case.

On the flip side, Samsung is known for surprises

Samsung Galaxy Ring — (Image credit: Future)

Of course, there’s always a chance Samsung will surprise us with an early preview of the Galaxy Ring 2, despite the universe suggesting otherwise. After all, the original Samsung Galaxy Ring was a ‘one more thing’ style surprise announcement at the winter 2024 Unpacked event, though it didn’t end up shipping for another six months.

Could history repeat itself? We should know for sure in less than 30 days.

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Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others.

An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.

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