Ultrahuman Revives U.S. Operations with Ring Pro Approval
Ultrahuman, the Bengaluru-based health-tech startup recognized for its innovative smart rings, is set to re-enter the U.S. market following the recent approval of its Ring Pro. This development marks the beginning of a renewed competition with Oura, which has solidified its market dominance in the interim.
New Approval Follows Previous Import Restrictions
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection granted approval for the Ring Pro less than a month after its global launch at the end of February. This comes on the heels of a ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission in October that favored Oura, significantly hindering Ultrahuman’s ability to import its products into the U.S. During this challenging period, Ultrahuman suffered an estimated $50 million in lost sales, as noted by CEO Mohit Kumar in a recent interview.
Smart Ring Market Dynamics in the U.S.
The U.S. remains crucial for the smart ring industry, accounting for approximately 2.6 million units sold in 2025—nearly 60% of the anticipated global total of 4.4 million units. According to IDC data, this segment has experienced remarkable year-over-year growth of 59%. While Oura has been successfully capitalizing on Ultrahuman’s absence, the smart ring market is displaying significant consolidation.
Shifting Market Shares amid Competition
Ultrahuman’s market share in the U.S. climbed from 11.5% in 2024 to 24.6% by Q2 2025, but it plummeted to single digits by year’s end due to import restrictions. In contrast, Oura expanded its market share from 63.3% to an impressive 85%, effectively seizing the opportunity presented by Ultrahuman’s operational limitations.
Plans for U.S. Expansion and Product Improvements
Historically, the U.S. market constituted up to 50% of Ultrahuman’s revenue at its peak, although that percentage has diminished as the company has also focused on expanding in Europe and Asia. Kumar noted that the absence of Ultrahuman’s products gave competitors only a “three-month advantage,” and he expressed confidence in reclaiming lost market share quickly. The company aims to accelerate its U.S. rollout, with a projected timeline of five to six months for full-scale operations as it revitalizes its supply chain.
Features of the Ring Pro and Upcoming Pre-Orders
The redesigned unibody structure of the Ring Pro played a key role in securing U.S. clearance and will be pivotal in Ultrahuman’s comeback. This new model promises battery life extensions and improved on-device processing capabilities. Pre-orders for the Ring Pro have commenced, with an expected shipping date of May 15. The device is priced starting at $399, with an early-bird rate of $349 available for the initial 1,000 customers.
India Becomes a Competitive Landscape
As Ultrahuman bolsters its efforts in the U.S., Oura recently debuted its Ring 4 in India, intensifying competition in a key market for Ultrahuman. Kumar remains optimistic about the competitive environment, asserting that increased competition will enhance market awareness in a category that is still developing within the country.
While the smart ring shipments in India saw a year-over-year decline of 30.6% in 2025, Ultrahuman maintained a 30.4% market share, followed closely by Gabit at 18.3%, according to an IDC report. The average selling price has also dipped by 8.7% to $160, reflecting both the intensifying competition and pricing pressures in the sector.
Looking ahead, IDC predicts that the smart ring market will experience double-digit growth in the U.S. and globally, although India’s growth may be slower. Oura’s established international brand presence will likely aid its market entry, especially as many initial local competitors fade, paving the way for more prominent global players. Ultrahuman’s user base in the U.S., which makes up approximately 45% of its 700,000 daily active users worldwide, highlights the region’s significance, with a notable female demographic within the user base.
In addition to its smart ring offerings, Ultrahuman is actively developing a new wearable focused on a different biomarker, aimed at expanding its product line. Currently, the company tracks essential metrics such as heart rate, variability, skin temperature, sleep stages, movement, and blood oxygen levels.