Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4 reveals a generational shift focused on form over function. Oura’s newest smart ring, launching June 5, 2026, promises to be smaller and more comfortable than its predecessor while maintaining the same health-tracking capabilities and membership features members know from the Oura Ring 4. Rather than chasing new sensors or metrics, Oura is betting that making the ring less noticeable is worth the hardware refresh.
Key Takeaways
- Oura Ring 5 is designed to be smaller and more comfortable than Oura Ring 4, with the same core tracking features
- Oura Ring 4 launched in October 2024 with an all-titanium design and recessed sensors for improved comfort
- Tom’s Guide testing found Oura Ring 4 delivers about six days of battery life, versus the claimed eight days
- New software features rolling out June 4, 2026 include live workout tracking and women’s health updates for existing rings
- Oura Ring 4 starts at $349, while Samsung Galaxy Ring costs $399 and Amazfit Helio Ring retails for $199
Size and Design: The Core Difference
The Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4 comparison starts with the most obvious change—dimensions. Oura Ring 5 is explicitly positioned as smaller and more comfortable, a direct response to complaints that smart rings, despite their appeal, still feel like jewelry you have to think about. The Oura Ring 4 weighs between 3.3 to 5.2 grams depending on size, already quite light, but Oura believes there is room to trim further. The Oura Ring 4 introduced an all-titanium design with recessed sensors that eliminated the earlier sensor bump, a major comfort upgrade over the Oura Ring Gen3. Oura Ring 5 appears to iterate on that foundation rather than reinvent it.
This incremental approach reflects market confidence. Tom’s Guide calls Oura Ring 4 by far the best smart ring available right now, a position that gives Oura the luxury of optimizing rather than overhauling. The Oura Ring 4 is available on both iPhone and Android, a significant advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Ring, which requires Android and restricts some features to Samsung phones. Oura Ring 5 will inherit this cross-platform flexibility, a differentiator that matters for global audiences.
Tracking Capabilities: Same Strengths, Same Limits
Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4 shows no meaningful capability gap. Both rings share identical health-tracking features and membership access. The Oura Ring 4 improved accuracy by up to 120% compared with the Oura Ring Gen3, and Oura Ring 5 will maintain that standard. One area where the Oura Ring 4 proved superior is sleep and stress data consistency. Tom’s Guide noted that the Oura Ring 4 produces fewer gaps in sleep and stress data because the ring can adapt to changing positions on the finger. This matters for users who move their ring throughout the day—a common behavior that older designs struggled with.
Battery life remains a practical limitation for both generations. Oura claims Oura Ring 4 delivers eight days, but Tom’s Guide testing found closer to six days in actual use. That is still stronger than the Oura Ring Gen3, which had a stated battery life of seven days but real-world performance of about five days. Oura Ring 5 is unlikely to dramatically extend battery life—the focus is comfort, not power efficiency. Users should expect similar six-day real-world performance.
Software and Ecosystem: The Real Edge
Oura’s app and ecosystem represent the company’s biggest differentiator versus competitors. The Oura Ring 4 introduced a redesigned app emphasizing daily insights, long-term trends, and a broader health overview. Oura Ring 5 will leverage these same software advantages. More importantly, Oura is rolling out major new features to existing rings in June 2026. Live workout tracking launches globally June 4, alongside new women’s health features and a device locating capability. Blood work import arrives June 30, allowing users to correlate lab results with ring data. These updates apply to Oura Ring Gen3, Oura Ring 4, and Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, meaning Oura Ring 5 will inherit a feature-rich platform from day one.
This software roadmap matters because smart rings lack displays. Manual workout logging is tedious, and live tracking fills that gap. Women’s health features—tracking menstrual cycles, ovulation, and hormonal patterns—address a segment competitors like Samsung Galaxy Ring are only beginning to explore. Oura’s willingness to push features to older hardware shows confidence in its ecosystem and commitment to keeping existing users relevant.
Comfort: The Unproven Promise
Oura Ring 5 is marketed as more comfortable than Oura Ring 4, but this claim rests on leaked documentation rather than independent testing. The Oura Ring 4 already achieved significant comfort gains through titanium construction and recessed sensors. One reviewer noted that after wearing an Oura Ring Gen3 for years, she would often forget she was wearing it, suggesting that by the time Oura Ring 4 arrived, the comfort ceiling was already high. Oura Ring 5 may squeeze more gains from a smaller footprint, but diminishing returns apply. Users should expect incremental improvement, not a revelation.
Pricing and Availability: When to Upgrade
Oura Ring 4 starts at $349. Oura Ring 5 pre-orders begin June 5, 2026, with shipping the same day. Oura has not announced Oura Ring 5 pricing, but expect it to sit at or above Oura Ring 4’s current price point. For existing Oura Ring 4 users, the case for upgrading is weak unless comfort is a genuine pain point. The software features rolling out June 4 apply to Oura Ring 4, so there is no capability reason to switch. For new buyers considering Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4, the price difference—if any—will determine value. If Oura Ring 5 costs significantly more, the Oura Ring 4 remains the smarter buy. If pricing is identical, Oura Ring 5’s smaller size justifies the choice for new users.
Competitors are tightening the field. Samsung Galaxy Ring costs $399, while Amazfit Helio Ring retails for $199. The Amazfit option is tempting for budget-conscious buyers, though it lacks Oura’s app sophistication and ecosystem depth. For serious health tracking and cross-platform compatibility, Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4 remains a choice between two strong options rather than a no-brainer upgrade.
Should I upgrade from Oura Ring 4 to Oura Ring 5?
Not immediately. Oura Ring 4 users gain nothing from upgrading except a potentially more comfortable fit. The core tracking, battery life, and software features are identical. Wait for independent testing and real-world battery performance data before deciding. If comfort is genuinely an issue—the ring slips, pinches, or feels noticeable during sleep—then Oura Ring 5 may be worth the investment.
Is Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4 a major generational leap?
No. This is an incremental refresh. Oura Ring 5 prioritizes comfort and form factor over new capabilities. The real innovation is happening in software, with live workout tracking and women’s health features rolling out to all existing rings in June 2026. If you are buying a new smart ring, Oura Ring 5 will be the better choice simply because it is the latest hardware. If you own Oura Ring 4, the upgrade is optional.
What is the battery life difference between Oura Ring 5 and Oura Ring 4?
Oura has not disclosed Oura Ring 5 battery specifications yet. Expect similar real-world performance to Oura Ring 4, which delivers about six days despite manufacturer claims of eight days. A smaller ring may have slightly less battery capacity, potentially reducing performance by a day or so, but Oura will likely optimize power efficiency to maintain parity.
Oura Ring 5 vs Oura Ring 4 is a case study in incremental hardware evolution. When you already make the best product in a category, the smartest move is to refine rather than reinvent. Oura Ring 5 does exactly that—smaller, more comfortable, and ready to inherit a growing software platform. For new buyers, it is the obvious choice. For existing Oura Ring 4 owners, the upgrade is optional unless comfort is a genuine problem. The real story is the software roadmap arriving June 4, which benefits everyone regardless of which ring they wear.
Where to Buy
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
