Oura Shrinks the Smart Ring by 40% with the Launch of the Ring 5

Oura has released the Ring 5, a major hardware overhaul that shrinks its flagship health tracker by 40 percent and blurs the line between wearable technology and traditional jewelry. The launch marks a significant milestone for the Finnish-American company, which pioneered the smart ring category and is now preparing for a highly anticipated initial public offering later this year.[2][7]

The most immediate change is the physical footprint. Measuring just 6.09 millimeters wide and 2.28 millimeters thick, the Ring 5 sheds the bulky, tech-heavy aesthetic that characterized earlier generations. Reviewers note that the device, which weighs as little as two grams, finally feels like a standard wedding band rather than a miniaturized computer strapped to the finger.[3][4][7]

For years, the primary complaint from smart ring users—particularly women—has been the uncomfortable thickness of the bands, which can pinch during weightlifting or feel obtrusive during daily tasks. The slimmed-down profile tucks more naturally into the folds of the finger, offering a level of "invisible technology" that reviewers say sets a new benchmark for the wearables industry.[3][6]

Shrinking a device usually requires compromising on battery life, but Oura managed to extend it. The Ring 5 boasts six to nine days of power per charge, up from the five to eight days offered by the Ring 4. The company achieved this through a complete internal redesign of the battery chemistry and mechanical architecture, paired with a new charging case that holds a month of backup power.[5][7]

The exterior also received a durability upgrade. Smart rings are notoriously prone to scratching from doorknobs, barbells, and keys. To combat this, Oura applied a new physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating over the aerospace-grade titanium shell, which early testers confirm provides significantly better scratch resistance than previous iterations.[4][6]

Beneath the titanium shell, the sensor architecture underwent a counterintuitive redesign. Oura reduced the number of signal pathways from 18 to 12, a move that initially raised eyebrows among data enthusiasts. However, the company compensated by installing LEDs that are four times more powerful, paired with low-profile sensor domes that sit closer to the skin.[5][6]

This concentrated optical array is designed to improve accuracy across a wider range of finger sizes and skin tones. By driving stronger light through the skin and capturing the reflection more cleanly, the Ring 5 aims to eliminate the data dropouts that occasionally plagued older models when the ring shifted during sleep.[5][7]

On the software front, the Ring 5 introduces "Health Radar," a new monitoring layer that pushes the device closer to medical territory. The flagship feature is Blood Pressure Signals, which tracks overnight cardiovascular patterns to detect strain. Oura is careful to frame this as trend detection rather than a replacement for a clinical blood pressure cuff, but it represents a major leap for cuffless monitoring.[5][7]

The ring also features improved automatic workout detection, though early reviews suggest it still occasionally struggles to log low-impact exercises like Pilates, even when heart rates elevate. Despite these minor software hiccups, the overall data presentation in the Oura app remains widely praised for its elegant, actionable insights into sleep and recovery.[3][4]

The technological advancements come with a price hike. The Ring 5 starts at $399 for the base silver and black finishes, a $50 increase over the Ring 4. Premium finishes, including a new lighter gold and a copper-toned "deep rose," retail for $499. Crucially, the device still requires a $5.99 monthly subscription to access the majority of its health data.[6][7]

The ongoing subscription fee remains the primary sticking point for critics, especially as competitors like RingConn and Samsung's Galaxy Ring offer subscription-free alternatives. However, reviewers concede that Oura's polished software ecosystem and deep integration with third-party health apps still justify the recurring cost for serious health optimizers.[1][6]

For consumers, the purchasing decision hinges on their current hardware. Tech critics universally recommend the Ring 5 for first-time buyers, citing the unmatched comfort and refined aesthetics. However, because Oura is rolling out the new software features—including Health Radar—to older models, existing users may find it harder to justify the upgrade unless their current battery is severely degraded.[1][5]

Ultimately, the Ring 5 arrives at a critical juncture for Oura. With four million devices shipped in 2025 and a looming IPO, the company is transitioning from a niche fitness brand to a mainstream health giant. By successfully shrinking the hardware without sacrificing performance, Oura has fortified its moat against tech behemoths entering the smart ring space.[2][3]