RingConn vs Apple Watch: 20 BPM Difference While Walking — Which Is More Accurate?

[u/madfrog2023]

I'm a 37-year-old male (weight: 92kg, height: 165cm) and I'm seeing a consistent difference in heart rate readings between my devices during normal walking.

Devices:

• RingConn Gen 2 (bought ~3 months ago)
• Apple Watch Series 10 GPS (bought November 2024), watchOS 26.5 (23T570)

Setup during the walk:

• RingConn on my left ring finger
• Holding a bottle of water in my left hand
• Apple Watch on my right wrist
• Holding my iPhone in my right hand and looking at the screen (right arm barely moving)
• Walking on flat ground at a normal pace (not power walking)

Readings at the same time:

• RingConn: 98–105 BPM
• Apple Watch: 115–122 BPM

My breathing was very steady, I wasn't out of breath, and only felt slightly warm from walking.

A ~15–20 BPM difference feels quite large for a normal walk, so I'm unsure which one is closer to reality.

Has anyone compared RingConn Gen 2 with Apple Watch Series 9/10 for heart rate accuracy during walking or light activity? Or tested either against a chest strap?