I’ve received the proper resolution to the Galaxy Ring’s pesky battery downside

“There’s all the time an answer!”, reads a meme I simply noticed. It was an image of a broken automotive with a plastic soda bottle within the place of its headlight. The bottle fitted very nice. An engineer masterpiece, if I ever noticed one. That is when it struck me – heck, there is a resolution for the Galaxy Ring downside, too!By Odin’s beard, a “downside” with the Galaxy Ring?!

Yeah, we advised you about it only a few days in the past:
In line with the detailed (and fairly fascinating) teardown made by the iFixit staff, the Galaxy Ring packs a lithium-ion battery.

As you realize, lithium-ion batteries severely degrade after a lot of recharging cycles. That quantity 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 unattainable to switch.

The difficulty is even higher with the Galaxy Ring, because the battery is completely sealed inside the Ring itself. I am not saying that you just want Mount Doom’s hellfire to open the Galaxy Ring, however when you open it, it is as in case you’ve thrown it down Mount Doom’s magma chamber. Congratulations, Frodo Baggins, you’ve got virtually destroyed the Galaxy Ring.

Why? Let’s examine why.

The issue is a socio-environmental one

As a way 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 photos 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 a substitute of being soldered. This appears to serve the aim of simplifying the manufacturing course of reasonably than facilitating consumer repairs.Regardless of the comfort of press connectors in manufacturing, they don’t assist with repairs or battery alternative. They’re used as a result of the battery and charging coil are produced individually from the circuit board and are related on the manufacturing line.

The battery’s actual capability couldn’t be recognized resulting from its degraded state, however Samsung’s specs point out that the dimensions 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 as a result of limitations of its lithium-ion battery:

– 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:

It is known as a cocktail ring (that is the right time period, I did not provide you with it).

I am certain you’ve got gotten the gist of it and there is no 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. After all, that is a pretend 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 significantly better the battery life on the smartring may get because of this pretend jewel: extra mAh, extra enjoyable!

This might add a contact of fashion and customization to the Galaxy Ring as properly!

Again to actuality and “Again to the Future”

I am certain my resolution could possibly be categorized simply as a Dr. Emmett Brown second (severely, rewatch Again to the Future as quickly as attainable).

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 sensible cocktail rings. The Galaxy Ring in its present type is a pleasant, glossy trying piece of marriage ceremony ring tech, however why not go for one thing extra flamboyant subsequent time?

Subsequent, there’s the sturdiness problem. The Galaxy Ring is sturdy – it is received the IP68 mud and water resistance ranking, the flexibility to resist 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 got to determine a approach for the ring to look sports-friendly sufficient: in spite of everything, 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 sensible ring down the highway as properly. It will 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 characteristic a 100 dB sound alarm.

Okay, okay, I am stopping now.