What the Oura Ring 5 Upgrade Really Is
The Oura Ring 5 upgrade is a generational jump in smart ring design that focuses on a slimmer profile, refined durability, and new passive blood pressure tracking while keeping overall health metrics close to the Oura Ring 4. In plain terms, Oura has taken the chunky, capable Ring 4 and reshaped it so it feels more like everyday jewelry than a gadget on your finger. According to ZDNET, the Oura Ring 5 is 40% smaller than the Oura Ring 4, measuring 6.09mm wide and 2.28mm thick, yet it maintains multi‑day battery life. Both models remain screenless, sleep‑first wearable health devices that track readiness, sleep, and activity, but the Ring 5 adds a more comfortable fit and subtle aesthetic. If you already own a Ring 4, this comparison is about whether those comfort and design gains matter more to you than raw feature additions.
Design, Comfort, and Everyday Wear
Design is the most obvious difference in this smart ring comparison. The Oura Ring 4 is described as “chunky,” and many users find it noticeable between fingers, during workouts, and even while doing chores. Oura shrinks the Ring 5 by 40%, bringing it closer in look and feel to a wedding band. That smaller footprint matters if you have narrow or bony fingers, or if you dislike feeling a ring grind against adjacent fingers when you grip, drive, or carry things. One Android Authority writer notes that wearing multiple smart rings showed how a slimmer profile makes the ring less present during sleep and exercise. For many Ring 4 owners, the Oura Ring 5 upgrade will feel less like strapping on a gadget and more like slipping on standard jewelry, which can be a decisive factor if you wear it 24/7.
Durability and Blood Pressure Tracking
Durability and new sensing are the main technical upgrades. Earlier Oura models, including the Ring 4, could pick up scratches and dings when worn all day, especially if you routinely knock your hands against hard surfaces. The Ring 5 keeps the titanium construction but adds a more resistant coating, designed to reduce visible wear. That is especially important because the smaller, lighter ring may encourage constant wear. The headline new sensor feature is passive blood pressure tracking, or blood pressure signal monitoring, which the Ring 4 does not offer. This gives the Oura Ring 5 an edge as a wearable health device if you want more insight into cardiovascular trends. However, core health tracking—sleep stages, readiness scores, and activity data—remains very close between both generations, so you are not losing accuracy or major metrics by staying with the Ring 4.
Battery Life and Charging Experience
On paper, battery improvements are modest but meaningful. ZDNET reports that the Oura Ring 4 typically lasts around five to eight days per charge, while the Oura Ring 5 extends that to six to nine days, despite its slimmer build. For most users, that reduces charging frequency from roughly weekly to slightly less often, which can help keep continuous sleep and readiness data more consistent. Charging hardware, however, is a sticking point. The Ring 5 ships with a standard puck charger in the box, similar to the Ring 4. Oura offers an optional charging case, but Android Authority highlights a major complaint: the case is sold separately, not bundled, even though the Ring 5’s starting price is higher than the Ring 4’s. If you want a more travel‑friendly charging experience, factor that extra accessory cost into your upgrade decision.
Price, Value, and Who Should Upgrade
Value depends on how much you care about comfort, subtle design, and blood pressure tracking. ZDNET notes that the Oura Ring 5 starts at USD 399 (approx. RM1,870), compared with USD 349 (approx. RM1,640) for the Oura Ring 4. On top of that, Android Authority points out that the charging case is a separate USD 99 (approx. RM460) purchase, not included with the Ring 5, which some see as a marketing misstep. If you are a Ring 4 user who wants a smaller, more discreet ring and is interested in passive blood pressure tracking, the Oura Ring 5 upgrade offers clear but incremental gains. If your Ring 4 still feels comfortable, tracks reliably, and you do not mind the size or the existing charger, you can safely wait. In many ways, design and comfort, not raw health data, are the primary differentiators for existing users.