The Oura Ring 5 Has Been Officially Unveiled and Will Begin Shipping Next Week.
On Thursday, Oura announced the fifth generation of its new smart ring , scheduled to begin shipping on June 4. I don’t have a test unit yet, but according to press materials provided by Oura, the new ring will be the thinnest on the market and will cost between $399 and $499 depending on the color.
The company claims this will be the thinnest smart ring yet, at 6mm wide, and I think they’re right. The thinnest ring I’ve reviewed is the RingConn, and you can see a photo of the Oura Ring 4 next to the RingConn 2 in this review . The current Oura Ring 4 is about 8mm thick, while the RingConn is about 7mm. (Yes, I always have a caliper on my desk, don’t you?) The Oura 5, at 6mm wide, will definitely be thinner. Smart rings have always been bulky compared to traditional jewelry rings, so this change will be a pleasant surprise.
Oura 5 Ring: Prices and Sizes
Oura charges $399 for black and silver and $499 for all other colors, which now include matte black and brushed silver. The gold and rose gold (now called Deep Rose) finishes now have a slightly different hue and improved scratch resistance. An Oura subscription still costs $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year.
The Oura Ring 5’s sizing is slightly different from the Oura Ring 4’s, and the company recommends purchasing a new sizing kit rather than using your current size. While the Oura Ring 4 had a smoother inner ring, the Oura Ring 5 returns with a smaller version of the sensor’s ridges for better skin contact. The size range has been narrowed slightly: sizes 6 to 13 are now available (instead of 4 to 15).
The new dimensions mean your old charger will no longer fit, so if you already purchased the Oura Ring 4 charging case, you’ll need to do so again for the 5. As with the 4, the 5 charging case is an optional accessory for $99 and is not included with the ring.
Oura Ring 5: New Software Features
Along with the hardware, Oura announced new software features. You’ll be able to track detailed workout metrics directly from the app, which might soften my stance against using smart rings for workout tracking.
The app has a new feature called “Health Radar,” which is designed to notify you of any deviations in your biometric data, similar to the “Symptom Radar,” which is designed to detect signs of illness. (I’ve already written about some of the significant shortcomings of “Symptom Radar,” but that’s another story.)
The new Health Radar app will notify you if Oura detects signs of high blood pressure or “breathing abnormalities,” which is code for sleep apnea. Oura states that the app won’t attempt to diagnose these conditions, but will only indicate when you should see a specialist for evaluation. Fortunately, Oura recently partnered with Resmed , a company that offers sleep disorder treatment technologies such as CPAP machines. The Oura app will also offer some new features for GLP-1 users, including tools for monitoring weight, dosage, and side effects.