It has been over 9 months since I bought the Ultrahuman Ring Air, purchased back in February 2024. To be honest, my
relationship with this smart ring has been a roller coaster ride of love and frustration. On one hand, there's much to
appreciate about its sleek design and the wealth of data it provides. On the other hand, persistent technical issues and
reliability problems have left me questioning whether the good outweighs the bad.
The Good:
- Super Light: I truly mean it - after a few days, it feels like I'm not even wearing it. The ring seamlessly
integrates into any outfit, from business casual to a more relaxed look. The titanium shell feels premium without
being bulky, and the resin layer is not intrusive at all. - Free App with Insights: The Ultrahuman app is fantastic. And the best part? It's completely free! The app crunches
the data collected by the ring and presents it in clear, actionable insights. This is a huge plus compared to its
alternatives. - Constant Evolution: I'm impressed by the frequency of app updates. They consistently add new features,
graphs, metrics, and deeper analysis based on the data collected by the ring. This shows a commitment to improvement
and user feedback. - Sleek Design: The simple, minimalist design with just one small bump at the bottom is a breath of fresh air
compared to competitors with their protruding sensors that feel awkward when worn. - Excellent Customer Support: When issues have arisen (and oh, they have!), Ultrahuman's after-sales department has
been incredibly helpful and responsive. They've been willing to listen and resolve problems in a timely manner. - API access for customization: One feature I really like is the ability to use the data from the ring as an API to
create your own metrics or automate things based on the data received. This level of control and flexibility is great,
especially for users like me who want to customize their experience by getting their hands dirty. :D
The Bad:
- Reliability Issues: This is the biggest drawback for me. I've had to replace my ring twice in nine months! The
first one died around June 2024, and the second just gave up in early November 2024. These repeated failures are
simply
unacceptable, especially at this price point. - Glitchy App Experience: While the data is fantastic, the app itself can be glitchy at times, particularly on
iOS. Charging percentage is often not accurate, and it takes a lot of time to sync data from ring to iPhone. I've
noticed a vast difference in performance compared to the Android version. - Charging Quirks: The charging requirements are quite specific - it must be used with a 5W output charger. Using
fast chargers risks damaging the ring's charger; they clearly mentioned this several times in the manual and app FAQ
section. - Annoying Charging Light: The charging LED on the dock remains constantly illuminated, which can be disruptive at
night if you charge it on your bedside table. Adding a small switch to toggle light on the charger would significantly
improve this as a quality of life change. - Lack of Transparency on Durability: Considering the recurring issues I've faced with my ring's reliability, I
think Ultrahuman could do better in providing clear information about product durability and longevity.
What Needs Improvement?
So, what can Ultrahuman do to turn their product into a consistent winner?
- Enhance Product Reliability: With great features come greater expectations for reliability. The company should
focus on ensuring that the ring keeps working consistently over time. - Streamline App Experience: While the data is fantastic, the app itself needs refinement, particularly for iOS
users. Improvements to usability and performance would go a long way in creating a better user experience across
platforms. - Simplify Charging Process: Providing dedicated power brick with the box could greatly simplify the charging
process. Currently, I use powerbank as power input to ring charger which is not very intuitive.
Verdict
So, Would I buy this after knowing all these? Probably not. Reliability is most important for me. I cannot go around the
loops of setting new rings every time it stops working. Even though customer support is fantastic, the overall
frustrations of checking what's wrong with the ring are just not worth it for me.
The Ultrahuman Ring Air has the potential to be an incredible wearable device in a competitive market. Its lightweight
design, fantastic app, and commitment to data-driven insights are truly impressive. However, the persistent reliability
issues, app glitches, and charging quirks create a frustrating experience that ultimately hinders its overall value.
I think Ultrahuman needs to address these concerns urgently to ensure that this promising product lives up to its full
potential. By doing so, they can win over users like me who are frustrated with the current state of affairs but still
believe in the ring's capabilities.