In a landscape where technology meets personal wellness, Oura has consistently carved out a niche with its sophisticated and compact smart rings. On Thursday, the tech innovator revealed its latest leap forward with the Oura Ring 4. This unveiling marks almost three years since the introduction of its predecessor, and it seems the wait was worthwhile. The Oura Ring 4 refines and enhances the smart ring experience with significant upgrades in design and functionality, starting at a price of $349.
A Refined Approach to Smart Ring Design
While the new Oura Ring 4 maintains the brand’s signature compact and minimalist aesthetic, its most significant enhancement lies in its redesigned structure. The ring now boasts a slimmer profile—an impressive feat considering its already petite form. “The big difference is found on the inside of the ring, as the formerly raised sensors are now recessed,” which promises a more comfortable fit that is consistent across the board.
Crafted from titanium, the ring combines durability with a lightweight feel, comparable to traditional jewellery. It is now available in an expanded range of sizes, from 4 to 15, and offers six colour options, including a striking “deeper black look.” This broader size range and variety in aesthetics signify Oura’s commitment to catering to diverse consumer needs and preferences.
Advanced Sensing for Superior Health Metrics
The Oura Ring 4’s internal enhancements are not just about comfort but also about improving the precision of health monitoring. It features an array of sensors including an accelerometer, green, red, and infrared LEDs for heart and respiratory rate measurements, and a temperature sensor. These advancements are critical as they allow for more accurate health data collection.
Oura has taken a novel approach with the placement of its photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors. “The sensors are placed asymmetrically within Oura Ring 4, providing a variety of distances and tissue penetration depths for measurements,” explains the company. This design is tailored to accommodate the natural variability in finger vasculature among individuals, enhancing the power efficiency and signal quality of the device.
Enhanced Data Accuracy and Battery Life
According to Oura, the new ring offers a substantial improvement in signal quality compared to its previous model. This includes a “120% improvement in signal quality for blood oxygen sensing (SpO2),” which translates to a “30% increase in accuracy in average overnight SpO2 measurement.” Users can also expect more reliable data with fewer gaps in heart rate monitoring throughout the day and night.
One of the standout features of the Oura Ring has always been its battery life, and the new model extends this even further, offering up to eight days of use on a single charge. This is particularly noteworthy as it achieves this extended battery life without the need for a screen, setting it apart from many smartwatches on the market.
Introducing Oura Labs and Enhanced Membership Benefits
With the launch of Oura Ring 4, Android users will gain access to Oura Labs. This platform serves as a testing ground for experimental features, including meal tracking—a new addition following Oura’s acquisition of the metabolic health startup Veri. Additionally, Oura Labs introduces Symptom Radar, a tool designed to alert users to the potential onset of illness, a timely feature considering the ongoing global health focus. Our Advisor, another innovative feature from Oura Labs, harnesses generative AI to create personalized health conversations based on user data, pushing the boundaries of customized health guidance.
Availability and Pricing
The Oura Ring 4 is available for preorder with shipping set to commence on October 15. Our offers one month of free membership to its software suite, after which the service costs $6 per month or $70 annually if paid upfront. In a strategic move, Oura will continue to offer the third-generation ring until the current stock is depleted, providing options for users at different price points. As Oura continues to redefine the intersection of technology and personal health, the Oura Ring 4 stands out as a testament to innovation and user-focused design in the burgeoning field of wearable technology.
