Samsung is dressing up its wearable devices in technology’s latest fashion: artificial intelligence.

The South Korean electronics giant recently revealed that both its first-ever premium smartwatch and a smart ring will include AI features aimed at helping people monitor and manage their health.

Both the Galaxy Watch Ultra, priced at $650, and the Galaxy Ring, priced at $400, are part of Samsung’s push that began six months ago with the introduction of AI technology in their smartphones. The high-end smartwatch costs twice as much as Samsung’s latest standard model, the Galaxy Watch 7, which retails for $300.

Tethering AI to essential devices has become a growing trend. This technology has already been implemented in smartphones from Google and Apple, which compete against Samsung, as well as in the latest personal computers powered by Microsoft’s Windows software.

The AI features in Samsung’s new premium watch and ring focus on improving personal health, the main reason most consumers opt for wearable technology.

Both devices utilize AI to analyze biometric data collected from the wearer, providing customized assessments of their well-being through an “energy score” rated on a scale of one to 100, along with recommendations akin to a virtual fitness coach.

Similar to Apple’s approach, Samsung’s new wearables will collect sensitive information directly on the devices. However, some data will still be processed through remote computing centers, utilizing a “defense-grade, multi-layer security platform” that Samsung likens to a virtual Fort Knox. This echoes Apple’s commitment to safeguarding personal information processed off-device within a digital fortress. Nevertheless, such promises do not guarantee immunity from potential security breaches.

While the smartwatch is more sophisticated, capable of functions like flagging sleep apnea that the Galaxy Ring cannot perform, the ring boasts a longer battery life, lasting six to seven days before needing a recharge.

The smartwatch faces stiff competition in a crowded market, primarily led by Apple, which has intensified its focus on health features since entering the market a decade ago. Over 60 million people currently use the Samsung Health app, which works in tandem with its smartwatches.

The health benefits associated with wearable technology have driven more consumers to purchase smartwatches, with global sales expected to reach approximately $29 billion this year, according to research firm Gartner Inc. This translates to around 164 million new smartwatches being worn this year, with predictions of annual sales rising to 195 million by 2028.

Samsung may encounter challenges in the smart ring market, despite limited competition thus far. Startups like Oura and RingConn have yet to make a significant impact.

“Smart rings are still an emerging category with no exclusive use cases, with little expectations of growing beyond a niche market” through 2028, Gartner noted in its recent overview of the wearable technology market.

The firm anticipates that the small segment including smart rings will generate $2.4 billion in sales this year, eventually rising to about $4.6 billion by 2028.

Although available in nine different sizes, Samsung’s Galaxy Ring is compatible only with Google’s Android operating system, potentially alienating affluent iPhone users interested in exploring new technology.

Additionally, Samsung is launching its latest attempt to attract consumers to foldable phones equipped with dual display screens that can be hinged together, transforming the device into a pseudo-tablet. This concept has been pushed since 2019 with limited success, but the company continues to update the device with camera and AI features for the niche market. The upcoming model, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, will retail for $1,900.