The Ultrahuman Ring Air became the first smart ring to offer AFib detection, following the launch of this functionality on the platform.

The AFib feature was introduced as part of the company’s new PowerPlugs offering, announced earlier in 2024.

PowerPlugs are third-party integrations in Ultrahumanwith AFib detection powered by FibriCheck, an FDA and CE approved AFib monitoring app.

This integration allows Ultrahuman Air Ring users to monitor heart rhythm irregularities, potentially alerting them to the risk of atrial fibrillation, a condition associated with strokes and other heart problems.

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However, the service comes at a cost. Running AFib PowerPlug requires a subscription fee of $4.90 per month, which seems expensive for such a niche feature. For users without a prior diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, the need to keep it active month after month may not be compelling after an initial trial period.

For people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, continued monitoring could be beneficial. The disease is often transient and the ability to correlate episodes of atrial fibrillation with specific symptoms can provide valuable information.

Still, $4.90 per month seems high for a feature that many users may only use as a precaution. It’s possible that Ultrahuman will integrate AFib detection into the Ring Air’s core feature set, similar to the approach taken by most smartwatches on the market.