The wait is over for those who found the Oura Ring 4 too bulky. Oura has officially announced the Oura Ring 5, a significantly smaller and lighter wearable that addresses one of the most common complaints about smart rings. The new device measures just 6.09mm wide and 2.29mm thick, a 40 percent reduction in size compared to the Ring 4. Depending on the ring size, it weighs between 2 and 2.69 grams – a noticeable difference when worn. Sliding it onto a finger, the reduced profile is immediately apparent, making it more comfortable for all-day and all-night wear.
The design remains familiar, but the engineering has been completely reworked. Oura says the Ring 5 features stronger LEDs and optimized battery life that lasts six to nine days, though larger rings still offer longer endurance. The titanium build is IP68 weather resistant, and the coating is reportedly less prone to scratching than previous models. A new “deep rose” color joins the lineup, offering a coppery rose gold finish rather than a pink tone. Unfortunately, the ceramic option is not available at launch, and the ring only comes in sizes 6 through 13, dropping the smaller size 4 and 5 from the Ring 4’s range. The company recommends using the new sizing kit before preordering, as the redesigned internal components may result in an “in-between” fit for some users.
Pricing and Availability
The Oura Ring 5 starts at $399 for the black and silver finishes, while other colors cost $499. Preorders are open now at Oura, Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers, with shipping expected to begin June 4, 2026. The optional charging case, sold separately for $99, now supports wireless chargers and holds up to five full charges. The case itself has been slightly redesigned for easier portability. This pricing positions the Ring 5 at a premium, but in line with the previous generation and competitive with upcoming smart rings from Samsung and others.
Software Updates: Health Radar and Beyond
Alongside the hardware, Oura is introducing a major software update called Health Radar. This suite builds on the previous Symptom Radar feature and includes nighttime blood pressure and breathing trends, the ability to import medical records, and a partnership with Council AI for a medical chatbot (available through Oura Labs beta). Health Radar aims to detect significant health changes without requiring users to examine each metric individually each day. For example, it can alert users to subtle shifts in resting heart rate or HRV that may indicate early illness or stress.
For metabolic health, the app now offers GLP-1 insights. These features help users track dosages, monitor side effects, and understand how medications like GLP-1s (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy) may affect metrics such as resting heart rate, sleep quality, and activity levels. The lab uploads feature allows users to import test results and discuss them with Oura’s AI chatbot. As always, Oura emphasizes that these tools are not substitutes for professional medical advice, but they can provide valuable context for users managing chronic conditions or weight loss journeys.
Fitness and Research
Live activity tracking is being improved. Users can now pair a third-party heart rate monitor to the Oura app and view real-time metrics during workouts. This bridges a gap for fitness enthusiasts who want more precise data than the ring’s optical sensors can provide during high-intensity exercise. Oura is also launching a Brain Health Study, where users can opt in to share data for research on how metrics correlate with cognitive performance. To address privacy concerns following the Palantir controversy, Oura has added a Time-based Data Deletion feature, allowing users to erase data from a specific time window without affecting other data points.
Background and Market Context
The Oura Ring first launched in 2015, pioneering the smart ring category. Since then, it has evolved from a sleep tracker to a comprehensive health wearable that monitors heart rate, activity, readiness, and now blood pressure trends. The Ring 4, released in late 2024, brought improved accuracy and a ceramic option, but its thickness and weight remained a barrier for many. The Ring 5 directly tackles that issue, making Oura’s technology accessible to a broader audience.
The smart ring market is heating up. Samsung is expected to release its Galaxy Ring later in 2026, and other players like Amazfit and Circular have entered the space. Oura’s advantage lies in its mature software ecosystem, decades of sleep and health data, and now a more comfortable form factor. The ring’s lack of a screen is both a limitation and a strength: it offers a distraction-free way to monitor health without the constant notifications of a smartwatch.
For users considering an upgrade from the Ring 4, the decision hinges on comfort and the new software features. The Health Radar suite and GLP-1 insights are exclusive to the Ring 5 initially, though some may trickle down to older models. The reduced size also means that the Ring 5 can be worn alongside a traditional watch or jewelry more discreetly. Early impressions from testers highlight the weight reduction as transformative, making the ring nearly imperceptible during sleep or typing.
The preorder phase will test demand for the limited size range. Oura is gathering data on how many users actually require sizes 4 and 5, which were less popular. If demand is high, those sizes may return in a future generation. For now, the Ring 5 targets the mainstream hand sizes.
With its smaller footprint, stronger battery life, and expanded health insights, the Oura Ring 5 represents a mature iteration of a product that has defined the smart ring category. The next few weeks will reveal whether consumers embrace this lighter, more capable wearable for daily health tracking.
Source: The Verge News