Oura Ring 4: the Next-Generation Smart Ring
Oura Ring 4 is a next-generation smart ring from Finland’s leading health tech companies.
The launch follows the much-heralded Samsung Galaxy Ring, intensifying the competition in the smart ring market and adding to the challenges already posed by Circular Ring, Ultrahuman Ring Air, RingConn, and the potential arrival of Apple. For an overview of how Oura fits within the broader recovery tracker and lifestyle band category alongside wrist straps from Whoop, Polar Loop, Amazfit Helio and the Fitbit Air, see our complete guide.
Buy: Oura Ring
The new Oura Ring 4 may not introduce groundbreaking features, but it offers several notable improvements. Its market-leading eight-day battery life, slightly more compact design, and a wider range of sizes are likely to appeal to a broad user base. However, it is not the thinnest or lightest smart ring available, as Oura appears to have prioritised accuracy and battery longevity over achieving a slimmer form factor—a trade-off that may generate mixed reactions.
Oura has solidified its reputation for accuracy with the Ring 4, significantly enhancing its sensor technology. The updated algorithm increases the number of signal pathways from 8 to 18, resulting in a reported 120% improvement in signal quality and a 30% boost in blood oxygen accuracy. It also reduces gaps in heart rate monitoring by 7% during the day and 31% at night, providing more consistent and reliable readings. While the redesigned charging dock is an improvement, the absence of a charging case with a built-in battery reserve could be seen as a missed opportunity, especially for users who need portability.
Oura Ring 3 and Ring 4 users will benefit from the newly revamped Oura app, designed to improve usability with features like dynamic health summaries, detailed vitals, and long-term trend tracking. Oura continues to expand the app’s functionality, adding features for stress monitoring, reproductive health, and heart health. In the past year alone, Oura has introduced 24 new features, including automatic detection for 40 types of activities and fertile window predictions. The app’s redesign splits its interface into three sections: Today, Vitals, and My Health, offering personalised insights and comprehensive health tracking.
The Oura Ring 4, priced at $349, will begin shipping on October 15th. Though the price has risen by $50 compared to the Gen 3, the $6 monthly or $70 annual subscription fee remains unchanged, with a free one-month trial for new users. While the subscription model may deter some, the steady stream of new features adds value for subscribers.
Oura Ring 4 – New Details
- Sensors
- Now recessed rather than protruding slightly into the finger
- Red and infrared LEDs measure blood oxygen levels during sleep
- Green and infrared LEDs alternate to measure heart rate, heart rate variability 24/7, and respiration rate during sleep
- Digital sensor measures temperature variations
- Accelerometer tracks movement and activity 24/7
- Studies using Oura’s Smart Sensing demonstrated
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- 120% improvement in signal quality for blood oxygen sensing (SpO2), translating to a 30% increase in accuracy in average overnight SpO2 measurement
- 15% more accurate breathing disturbance index (BDI) thanks to the higher signal fidelity
- 7% fewer gaps in the daytime heart rate
- 31% fewer gaps in the nighttime heart rate
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- Battery Life
- Up to 8 days of battery life
- Typically charges in 20-80 minutes, depending on battery level
- Colours
- Silver, Black, Brushed Silver, Stealth, Gold, Rose Gold
- Sizes
- 4 to 15 (previously 6 to 13).
- Quality Materials
- Non-allergenic titanium on inner and outer ring surfaces
- Seamless titanium interior
- Water resistant up to 100m/328 ft
- Weight and Dimensions
- Width: 7.90mm
- Thickness: 2.88mm (similar to a wedding band)
- Weight: 3.3 to 5.2 grams (depending on ring size)
- Compatibility
- Integrates with 40+ apps
- Available on iOS and Android
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth Low Energy
- Automatic firmware updates via the Oura App
- EMF-safe
- Airplane mode supported
- FCC-certified
Last Updated on 28 May 2026 by the5krunner
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
All these new features makes no sense to buy new Oura 4. i.e. Who cares 2FA in rings 🤔
NFC payments are VERY useful
2FA could be used to unlock/approve actions on other devices.
I agree with this take.
Personally, having a physical 2FA device on me at all times is super useful, same for the payments.
i especially liked the TAPSTER ring…jsut a payment ring that doens’t need charging. very handy
i guess the drawback of rings is that the designs are inherently limited and you have to LOVE the design to always wear it.
So no NFC Payments on V4?
not announced at launch for sure. i’m hoping the capability is onboard