The Finnish health technology company Oura has released its newest smart ring, the Oura Ring 5. In a review for The Guardian, consumer technology editor Samuel Gibbs called the new device a major step forward for smart rings. He praised its design, comfort, and advanced features, saying it sets a new standard for health-tracking wearables.
The most important upgrade is the ring's design. The Oura Ring 5 is 40% smaller in volume than the previous model, the Ring 4. It is just over 6 millimeters wide, 2.23 millimeters thick, and weighs only 2 grams. Because of these changes, the ring looks and feels like a regular piece of jewelry, such as a wedding band. Gibbs noted that the device is so comfortable that users can easily forget they are wearing it.
Despite its smaller size, the Oura Ring 5 does not sacrifice battery life or tracking quality. The battery can last up to seven days on a single charge. It also features upgraded sensors that measure heart rate, temperature, stress, and sleep. Oura claims these new sensors are better at tracking health data across different skin tones and finger shapes. The ring also has a new 'Health Radar' feature in the app to show general health trends.
However, the Oura Ring 5 is quite expensive. The price starts at $399 (about £399 or €399). In addition to the purchase price, users must pay a monthly subscription fee of $5.99 (£5.99) to access all of their health data. Finally, the reviewer pointed out that the ring cannot be repaired. Once the internal battery stops working after a few years, the entire ring must be replaced.