What the Oura Ring 5 Upgrade Is – and Is Not
The Oura Ring 5 upgrade is a generational refresh of Oura’s health-tracking smart ring that focuses on a slimmer design, better comfort, and refined sensors while keeping core sleep and activity features very similar to the previous model. Instead of a radical redesign of how the ring tracks your health, Oura has concentrated on making the device smaller, more discreet, and more efficient, with modest gains in accuracy and battery life. Pricing starts at USD 399 (approx. RM1,870) for the fifth-generation ring, which is USD 50 (approx. RM235) more than the Oura Ring 4’s USD 349 (approx. RM1,635) starting price. For most people, the key question in this smart ring comparison is whether that thinner profile and new capabilities, like passive blood pressure tracking, are worth paying more than sticking with or buying the Oura Ring 4.
Design and Comfort: 40% Slimmer, More Wearable Every Day
The biggest everyday difference in the Oura Ring 4 vs 5 comparison is design. Oura Ring 5 is 40% smaller than Ring 4, shrinking to around 6.1 mm wide and bringing its thickness closer to a standard wedding band. That slimmer profile means your fingers can close more naturally, reducing that “chunky gadget” feel many users reported with Ring 4. According to ZDNET, the fifth‑gen ring is “nearly indistinguishable from a wedding band,” which will appeal to anyone who wants health tracking that looks like jewelry, not gear. The Ring 5 also weighs less and keeps a smooth interior that feels better during sleep and workouts. If Ring 4 ever felt bulky, caught on weights, or clashed with other rings, the comfort and subtle look of Ring 5 will likely feel like a meaningful evolution.
Health Tracking and New Blood Pressure Capability
On the health side, Oura Ring 5 keeps the familiar mix of sleep, readiness, and activity tracking, while improving the sensing hardware under the hood. It still tracks temperature, heart rate, heart rate variability, SpO2, and activity, feeding that data into the Oura app for scores and trends. The upgrade centers on reworked sensors with more powerful LEDs and revised signal pathways to keep or improve accuracy despite the smaller size. The headline new feature is the ring’s passive blood pressure tracking capability, which sets Ring 5 apart from Ring 4 and helps position it as a more complete health companion rather than a sleep-first gadget. For most everyday metrics, though, early testers report performance that feels very close between generations, so the health upgrade is more about added capabilities and subtle refinements than a wholesale leap.
Battery Life, Durability, and Accessories
Battery and build quality are where Oura Ring 5 adds several practical upgrades. Oura quotes six to nine days of battery life for Ring 5 versus five to eight days for Ring 4, a modest but welcome improvement for anyone who dislikes frequent charging. Athletech News notes that Oura re‑engineered the internal layout and algorithms to maintain or improve accuracy while still extending battery life on the smaller device. The titanium body now uses a more scratch‑resistant vapor deposition coating, which should better handle daily wear, strength training, and time in the pool. Cosmopolitan highlights that Ring 5 is rated waterproof up to 100 meters and works with a new portable charging case that can keep it powered for up to 30 days between case charges, making the newer model more travel‑friendly and resilient than Oura Ring 4.
Should You Upgrade or Choose Ring 5 as Your First Smart Ring?
Deciding on an Oura Ring 5 upgrade comes down to priorities. If you already own Ring 4 and are happy with its comfort, and you are not excited about passive blood pressure tracking, the health tracking gains alone may feel modest. Your scores and trends for sleep and activity will likely look similar across both generations. However, if Ring 4 feels thick or gets in the way during strength training, the 40% slimmer Ring 5 and lighter weight can transform daily wearability. For first‑time buyers comparing smart rings, Oura Ring 5 offers the most polished combination of discreet design, long battery life, and advanced tracking in Oura’s lineup. Overall, Ring 5 is a meaningful evolution rather than a revolutionary upgrade—worth choosing as a first smart ring, and worth upgrading to if comfort, design, and new blood pressure features matter to you.
