“There's always a solution!” says a meme I just saw. It was a picture of a damaged car with a plastic soda bottle in place of the headlight. The bottle fit really well. A masterpiece of engineering if I've ever seen one. Then it occurred to me – damn, there's a solution to the Galaxy Ring problem too!By Odin's beard, a “problem” with the Galaxy Ring?!
Yes, we told you about it just a few days ago:
According to the detailed (and quite interesting) disassembly by the iFixit team, Galaxy Ring has a lithium-ion battery.
As you know, lithium-ion batteries degrade significantly in performance after a number of charge cycles. This number is not too high, so don't count on decades or years of use. When a lithium-ion battery reaches the end of its life, it is impractical or impossible to replace it.
The problem is even bigger with the Galaxy Ringbecause the battery is completely sealed in the ring itself. I am not saying that you need the hellfire of Mount Doom to Galaxy Ringbut once you open it, it is as if you have thrown it into the magma chamber of Mount Doom. Congratulations, Frodo Baggins, you have Galaxy Ring.
Why? Let's look at the reason.
The problem is a socio-ecological
Photo credit – PhoneArena
To clean the inner parts of the Galaxy Ring without disassembling it, computed tomography (CT) scans were used; this was before physical disassembly by iFixit. These scans, which are similar to X-rays, create detailed 3D images by capturing multiple angles of an object.
The scan revealed some interesting features: Inside the ring is a lithium polymer battery case, an inductive charging coil and a pressure port. The inductive coil, which is essential for wireless charging, works with another coil in the charging case to power the device.
Interesting fact: The battery is not soldered but connected to the board via a compression connector. This is more to simplify the manufacturing process than to make repairs easier for the user.
Despite the convenience of compression connectors in manufacturing, they do not help with repairs or battery replacement. They are used because the battery and charging coil are manufactured separately from the board and connected on the production line.
The exact capacity of the battery could not be determined due to its poor condition, but Samsung's specifications suggest that the size 11 ring should have a 19.5 mAh battery, which is about 0.072 watt-hours at 3.7 volts.
So, Samsung’s Galaxy Ring faces the challenge of being a disposable product due to the limitations of its lithium-ion battery:
[…] The Galaxy Ring is a disposable tech accessory that won't last more than two years. Having more of them is seen as a bonus, but there's no question that each of these rings will ultimately contribute to our ever-growing e-waste problem.
– iFixit’s article about the Galaxy Ring Demolition, August 2024
What can we do?
The solution is diamonds, rubies and sapphires … and cocktails
My solution is this:
Image source – Pexels.com
It's called a cocktail ring (that's the correct name, I didn't make it up).
I'm sure you get the gist and there's no need for further explanation, but here it is in case you're scratching your head.
Imagine, Galaxy Ringbut with a huge jewel on top. Of course, it's a fake gem: it's a battery that looks like a jewel!
This is how you can charge the battery of Galaxy Ring. Not to mention how much better the smart ring's battery life could become thanks to this fake gem: more mAh, more fun!
This could add a touch of style and individualization Galaxy Ring as well as!
Back to reality and “Back to the future”
Photo credit – PhoneArena
I'm sure my solution could easily be categorized as a Dr. Emmett Brown moment (seriously, watch it again Back to the future as soon as possible).
However, there are some problems with my idea (I don't want to sound like I'm giving up on it, but I'm trying to be objective here).
First, we have to convince Samsung that we absolutely need smart cocktail rings. Galaxy Ring In its current form it is a beautiful, elegant looking piece of wedding ring technology, but why not choose something more extravagant next time?
Next, there is the issue of durability. Galaxy Ring is durable – it has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, can withstand pressure up to a depth of 100 meters, and has a grade 5 titanium frame that protects it from scratches and damage.
Since the battery unscrews, the ring could be exposed to various unpleasant influences.
We also need to find a way to make the ring look sporty enough: After all, it is the fitness enthusiasts and wellness advocates who are looking for the Galaxy Ring.
Hey, don't expect the solutions from me, the ball is in Samsung's and Samsung's engineers' court!
PS: I can also imagine that in the future there will be a smart engagement ring. It will track and analyze significant moments in your relationship. For example, it could record how often you express your affection by saying, for example, “I love you,” while also monitoring your emotional reactions. The ring could even judge the sincerity of your feelings. If it detects a discrepancy between your words and your emotional state, it could set off a 100 dB sound alarm.
Okay, okay, I'll stop now.