Oura updates its smart ring with a 40% smaller form factor

Oura has launched its smart ring, the Oura Ring 5, featuring a design that is 40% smaller than its predecessor, the Oura Ring 4. The new model starts at a base price of $399, targeting users who may have previously shied away from smart rings due to their bulkiness.

The physical changes to the device are aimed at reducing its footprint to make it feel more like traditional jewelry. A direct comparison of the dimensions and weight of the Ring 5 versus the Ring 4 highlights these hardware updates:

• Width: The Ring 5 is 6.09 mm wide, compared to the Ring 4 which is 7.90 mm wide.
• Thickness: The Ring 5 is 2.28 mm thick, compared to the Ring 4 which is 2.88 mm thick.
• Weight: The Ring 5 weighs between 2 grams and 2.69 grams, while the Ring 4 weighs between 3.3 grams and 5.2 grams.

Despite the reduction in size, the battery life of the Ring 5 has improved, lasting between six and nine days. During testing, the ring arrived 50% charged and reached a 75% charge level after spending 30 minutes on the charger. After five days of continuous wear, the device still had approximately 25% of its battery life remaining.

To achieve this smaller form factor, Oura reduced the available sizing options. The Ring 5 is offered only in sizes 6 through 13. The company attributed the narrower range to the manufacturing challenges of producing smaller rings in this new design.

The base model of the Ring 5 is priced at $399, but premium finishes—including Gold, Stealth, and Deep Rose—cost $499, representing a $100 price difference. Oura claims the Ring 5 is more scratch-resistant than previous generations, attributing this to a new physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating process, which is a method used to apply a thin, protective film to the surface of the metal to help it retain its look over time.

The design updates come as Oura faces competition in the smart ring market from rivals such as RingConn and Ultrahuman. Both competitors offer rings that are lighter than the older Oura Ring 4, putting pressure on Oura to minimize its hardware footprint. Upon unboxing the new model, the reviewer noted, “Wow, that’s tiny.” The reduced bulk makes the device look more like traditional jewelry and improves comfort, particularly when worn at night for sleep and health tracking.

Why it matters

The Oura Ring 5 represents a shift in form factor that aims to broaden the device’s appeal to users previously deterred by the bulkiness of earlier smart rings. By shrinking the hardware while maintaining battery life, Oura is defending its market position against lighter competitors.