Galaxy Ring could become a controller for Galaxy XR, smart glasses

Samsung is reportedly expanding the role of its Galaxy Ring beyond health tracking and smartphone controls. As per a report by Android Authority, a teardown of the Galaxy Ring Manager app contains a hidden reference to “ring gesture for glasses.”

This suggests the smart ring could soon be used to interact with Samsung’s growing Android XR ecosystem, including the recently unveiled Galaxy XR headset and the upcoming smart glasses.

Gesture-based control across Galaxy XR and glasses

The discovered code indicates that Samsung could be preparing to integrate gesture-based navigation, allowing Galaxy Ring users to perform specific actions within XR devices. The Galaxy XR headset already features hand-tracking cameras, but the ring could enhance gesture accuracy or add new controls.

In contrast, Samsung’s upcoming smart glasses are not expected to feature hand-tracking cameras, meaning the Galaxy Ring could act as an alternative input method. A simple double-pinch gesture might let users select on-screen elements, confirm actions, or move through menus without relying on touch controls.

Samsung’s patent filings that surfaced earlier this year also outlined how the Galaxy Ring might manage multiple connected devices, including phones, tablets and laptops. Integrating gesture-based control for XR products would fit naturally into this broader multi-device strategy.

Samsung’s XR smart glasses in works

Reports indicate that Samsung is developing Android XR glasses with Google, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The first version, expected this year, may not feature an AR display, while a 2027 model could.

This new cross-device functionality would tie together Samsung’s wearables and XR efforts, giving users a seamless, hands-free way to interact with immersive environments.  Although Samsung hasn’t confirmed a release timeline, the latest app clues suggest the feature is under active development.

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