A research firm predicts that by 2026, Apple may introduce a ring to compete with Samsung.

• According to CCS Insight, Samsung could face competition from Apple by 2026 with the launch of a connected ring.
• The tech giant, Samsung, introduced the $399 Galaxy Ring this year, expanding its product line from smartphones to smartwatches, in an effort to maintain user loyalty within its device ecosystem.
• According to CCS Insight Chief Analyst Ben Wood, a ring launch aligns with Apple CEO Tim Cook's emphasis on health.

According to CCS Insight, Samsung could launch a connected ring to compete with the U.S. tech giant by 2026, further expanding its focus on health.

If the call is included in CCS Insight's annual predictions report, it would be the first new product from Apple since the launch of the Apple Vision Pro headset this year.

According to Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, who spoke on CNBC's Beyond the Valley podcast on Tuesday, Tim Cook's major legacy from Apple would be around personal health if he decides to relinquish control and retire.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is deeply invested in health, and I believe a ring would be a fitting addition to Apple, given his personal investment.

Apple's emphasis on health is evident in their products, such as the Apple Watch with its array of sensors and the AirPods Pro 2 headphones that can function as hearing aids.

A smart ring, similar to smartwatches, is equipped with sensors to monitor health metrics such as heart rate.

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Ring, a product that brings the style of Oura to a larger audience, as it aims to expand its presence in the health space.

The Samsung Galaxy Ring, priced at $399, is a new addition to Samsung's product line, which includes smartphones and smartwatches, as the company aims to maintain its user base.

Wood stated that a ring could be another product added to Apple's ecosystem of hardware, which aims to retain its existing customers.

Unlike other consumer electronics, rings are complex for retailers because people have different finger sizes. Samsung offers a variety of ring sizes and colors, and customers receive a sample size kit before purchasing a ring.

According to Wood, Apple's large and stylish physical retail footprint would aid in selling a ring product to customers.

Wood believes that their retail footprint is ideal for marketing rings, which are complex products.

Apple's products retain their appeal in the market, as stated by Wood.

Wood stated that Apple is a brand with a reputation for producing products that people are proud to own. He believes that a well-designed ring from Apple could be considered a status symbol.