Yeah, we informed you about it only a few days in the past:
In line with the detailed (and fairly fascinating) teardown made by the iFixit workforce, the Galaxy Ring packs a lithium-ion battery.
As you understand, lithium-ion batteries severely degrade after quite a lot of recharging cycles. That quantity just isn’t too nice, so do not count on many years, or a few years of use. As soon as a lithium-ion battery reaches its end-of-life, it turns into impractical or unimaginable to exchange.
The difficulty is even higher with the Galaxy Ring, for the reason that battery is totally sealed inside the Ring itself. I am not saying that you simply want Mount Doom’s hellfire to open the Galaxy Ring, however when you open it, it is as when you’ve thrown it down Mount Doom’s magma chamber. Congratulations, Frodo Baggins, you have virtually destroyed the Galaxy Ring.
Why? Let’s examine why.
The issue is a socio-environmental one
Picture credit score – PhoneArena
So as to examine the internals of the Galaxy Ring with out dismantling it, computed tomography (CT) scans had been used; that is earlier than the bodily teardown by iFixit. These scans, that are just like x-rays, create detailed 3D pictures by capturing a number of angles of an object.
The scan revealed some fascinating options: contained in the ring, there’s a lithium polymer battery pouch, an inductive charging coil, and a press connector. The inductive coil, which is crucial for wi-fi charging, works with one other coil within the charging case to energy the machine.
Enjoyable truth: the battery is hooked to the circuit board by way of a press connector, as an alternative of being soldered. This appears to serve the aim of simplifying the manufacturing course of relatively than facilitating person repairs.
Regardless of the comfort of press connectors in manufacturing, they don’t assist with repairs or battery substitute. They’re used as a result of the battery and charging coil are produced individually from the circuit board and are linked on the manufacturing line.
The battery’s precise capability couldn’t be recognized as a consequence of its degraded state, however Samsung’s specs point out that the scale 11 ring ought to have a 19.5 mAh battery, translating to roughly 0.072 watt-hours at 3.7 volts.
So, Samsung’s Galaxy Ring faces the problem of being a disposable product because of the limitations of its lithium-ion battery:
[…] the Galaxy Ring is a disposable tech accent that isn’t designed to final greater than two years. It’s thought of a bonus when you do get extra out of it however there’s no query that every considered one of these rings will find yourself being added to our ever rising e-waste downside.
– iFixit’s article on the Galaxy Ring teardown, August 2024
What can we do?
The answer is diamonds, rubies, and sapphires… and cocktails
My resolution is the next:
Picture supply – Pexels.com
It is known as a cocktail ring (that is the proper time period, I did not provide you with it).
I am certain you have gotten the gist of it and there isn’t any want for explanations, however right here it’s, in case you are scratching your head proper now.
I want you to think about the Galaxy Ring, however with an enormous jewel on high of it. In fact, that is a faux gemstone: it is a battery that appears like a jewel!
That approach, one can unscrew and easily change the battery of the Galaxy Ring. To not point out how a lot better the battery life on the smartring may get because of this faux jewel: extra mAh, extra enjoyable!
This might add a contact of favor and customization to the Galaxy Ring as nicely!
Again to actuality and “Again to the Future”
Picture credit score – PhoneArena
I am certain my resolution may very well be categorized simply as a Dr. Emmett Brown second (critically, rewatch Again to the Future as quickly as doable).
Nevertheless, there are some issues with my concept (I do not need to sound like I am giving up on it, however I am attempting to be goal right here).
For starters, we’ll should persuade Samsung that we completely want good cocktail rings. The Galaxy Ring in its present type is a pleasant, smooth trying piece of wedding ceremony ring tech, however why not go for one thing extra flamboyant subsequent time?
Subsequent, there’s the sturdiness difficulty. The Galaxy Ring is sturdy – it is bought the IP68 mud and water resistance score, the power to face up to pressures equal to a depth of 100 meters, and a Titanium Grade 5 body to guard it towards scratches and injury.
With a battery that unscrews, the Ring may get uncovered to varied nasty stuff.
Additionally, we have to determine a approach for the ring to look sports-friendly sufficient: in any case, it is the health lovers and the wellness advocates who’re primarily after the Galaxy Ring.
Hey, do not have a look at me for the options, the ball is in Samsung’s and Samsung’s engineers subject!
P.S. I can see an engagement good ring down the highway as nicely. It’ll monitor and analyze significant moments in your relationship. As an illustration, it may report how typically you specific affection, like saying “I really like you,” whereas monitoring your emotional responses. The ring may even assess the sincerity of your emotions. If it detects a discrepancy between your phrases and emotional state, it’d function a 100 dB sound alarm.
Okay, okay, I am stopping now.
