For years, the Oura Ring has been a favorite among tech enthusiasts and health trackers for its sleek design and powerful features hidden in a discreet form factor. However, one recurring complaint remained: for some users, the ring was still too bulky. With the launch of the Oura Ring 5, the company has addressed this concern head-on, making the device both smaller and lighter while packing in a host of new capabilities.
Design and Build: A Slimmer Profile
The most striking change in the Oura Ring 5 is its physical dimensions. At just 6.09mm wide (down from 7.9mm) and 2.29mm thick (down from 2.88mm), the ring is 40% smaller than its predecessor. Depending on the size, it weighs between 2 and 2.69 grams — a noticeable reduction from the Oura Ring 4. In hand, the difference is immediately apparent. On the finger, the slimmer profile means it fits more naturally, especially for those who found the previous model uncomfortable for all-day wear, particularly during sleep.
The ring is crafted from titanium and remains IP68 weather resistant, making it suitable for workouts, swimming, and everyday use. Oura claims the coating is less scratch-prone than earlier models, a welcome improvement for users who experienced wear and tear on the rose gold finish of the Gen 3. The Oura Ring 5 will be available in several colors: black and silver for $399, with other colors like “deep rose” priced at $499. The deep rose color is a refined copper-toned rose gold, offering a more subtle alternative to the pinkish hues of previous finishes.
One notable omission is the lack of a ceramic option at launch. Additionally, the ring sizes have been reduced from 4–15 in the Ring 4 to 6–13 in the Ring 5. Oura explains that this is due to the redesign of internal components, which may leave some users with a “tweener” sizing issue — those who were between sizes may need to go up or down for optimal fit. The company strongly recommends using a new sizing kit before purchasing, as the internal geometry has changed.
Hardware Improvements: LEDs, Battery, and Charging
Inside the Oura Ring 5, the hardware has been reengineered. The LEDs are stronger, enabling more accurate sensor readings, and the battery life has been optimized to last between six and nine days, depending on the ring size. (Larger rings, which hold bigger batteries, naturally last longer.) The optional charging case has been upgraded as well: the new case holds five full charges and now supports wireless charging, a convenience absent from the previous generation.
Software Revolution: Health Radar and GLP-1 Insights
While the hardware is impressive, the Oura Ring 5’s true power lies in the accompanying software updates. Building on the earlier “Symptom Radar” feature, Oura is introducing a comprehensive suite called Health Radar. This system aggregates data from multiple sensors to detect significant changes in a user’s health without requiring them to sift through individual metrics. Key components include nighttime blood pressure trends, nighttime breathing trends, the ability to import medical records, and a partnership with Council AI for a medical chatbot (both of the latter features are available via Oura Labs, the company’s experimental beta program).
For users focused on metabolic health, the GLP-1 insights are a game-changer. These insights help track dosages, monitor side effects, and understand how medications like Ozempic or Wegovy affect biometrics such as resting heart rate, which may increase slightly with GLP-1 drugs. Lab uploads allow users to directly import blood test results and discuss them with the chatbot. As always, Oura warns that these AI features are not replacements for professional medical advice.
Fitness tracking also receives a significant upgrade. Live activity tracking now supports pairing with third-party heart rate monitors, and users can view real-time metrics during workouts. This brings the Oura Ring closer to the functionality of a smartwatch, albeit in a ring form factor. Additionally, Oura is launching a Brain Health Study, which users can opt into to help researchers understand how physiological metrics correlate with cognitive performance.
Privacy concerns have been a hot topic for Oura, especially after last year’s Palantir partnership controversy. In response, the company is introducing a Time-based Data Deletion feature, allowing users to erase their health data from specific time windows. This gives users greater control over their information, which is particularly important given the sensitive nature of health data.
Pricing, Availability, and Competition
The Oura Ring 5 is available for preorder today from Oura’s website, Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers. Pricing starts at $399 for black and silver, while other colors are $499. Shipments are expected to begin June 4. The Brain Health Study is live immediately, and the rest of the software updates will roll out in June.
The smart ring market has grown increasingly crowded. Competitors like the Ultrahuman Ring Air, Samsung Galaxy Ring, and Amazfit Helio Ring offer similar features, but Oura remains the most established brand. The Oura Ring 5’s combination of a smaller form factor, extensive software ecosystem, and research partnerships gives it a distinct edge. However, the reduction in available sizes may alienate some users with very small or large fingers. Additionally, the lack of a ceramic option might disappoint those seeking a more durable, scratch-resistant material. The company has not announced any plans to reintroduce these options.
For existing Oura Ring 3 or 4 users, the upgrade might be tempting. The smaller profile alone could make daily wear more comfortable, and the new software features — particularly the GLP-1 insights and Health Radar — offer significant value. However, the mandatory sizing kit step and the price point may give some pause. Oura continues to use a subscription model for advanced features, though the basic functionality remains free. The Ring 5’s starting price of $399 is higher than some competitors, but the depth of data and analysis often justifies the cost for serious health optimizers.
In the broader context of wearable technology, the Oura Ring 5 represents a maturation of the smart ring category. While smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch offer more extensive app ecosystems and cellular connectivity, rings provide a less intrusive experience, particularly for sleep tracking. The Oura Ring 5’s lighter weight and improved battery life make it an even more compelling alternative for those who dislike wearing a watch to bed. The inclusion of GLP-1 insights also signals a growing trend toward wearables that support medication management and metabolic health, an area that pharmaceutical and tech companies are increasingly interested in.
The Oura Ring 5’s launch is timely, as the health tech industry is seeing a surge in demand for continuous health monitoring. With its refined hardware and software, Oura aims to cement its position as the premier smart ring manufacturer. Whether it succeeds will depend on user reception to the sizing limitations and the perceived value of the new features. For now, the Oura Ring 5 sets a new standard for what a smart ring can be.
Source: The Verge News