The Oura Ring 4 is Packed with new features, refined design, and cutting-edge technology and is one of the most powerful tools in wearable health tech. Here’s a breakdown of what makes this latest iteration a standout.
A Refined Design for Maximum Comfort
The Oura Ring 4 has been redesigned to be even sleeker and more ergonomic than its predecessors. Made entirely from titanium, the ring now offers a more lightweight feel while maintaining its durability. The sensors have been recessed into the interior, ensuring they don’t protrude, making the ring more comfortable for everyday wear. This redesign is ideal for those who want to wear the ring both day and night, especially during sleep.
In terms of aesthetics, Oura has expanded the size range to accommodate more users, ensuring a snug fit for everyone. Available in multiple finishes, including silver, black, and a new rose gold option, the Oura Ring 4 looks less like a piece of tech and more like a piece of elegant jewellery, fitting seamlessly into anyone’s style.
New Smart Sensing Technology
One of the most significant updates to the Oura Ring 4 is the introduction of Smart Sensing technology. This innovation allows the ring to collect more continuous data with improved accuracy, boasting a 7% reduction in gaps in daytime heart rate monitoring. According to Oura, this advancement enables the ring to track health metrics with greater precision, making it particularly useful for those looking to understand their heart health in real-time.
The Oura Ring 4 now also features enhanced nighttime monitoring. It can better detect disturbances in sleep patterns, such as breathing irregularities, which could be early indicators of sleep apnea. This makes the Oura Ring 4 not just a fitness tracker but a more holistic health tool, giving wearers deeper insights into their sleep and overall well-being.
Functional Enhancements
The Oura Ring 4 has undergone significant design and functional enhancements, starting with its fully titanium construction, both inside and out. This is a major shift from the epoxy interior seen in previous versions, offering improved durability and a more refined finish. Measuring 2.88mm in thickness, the new Oura Ring 4 is also impressively lightweight, ranging from 3.3 to 5.2 grams, depending on the ring size. Additionally, it boasts water resistance up to 100 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.
One of the most notable advancements in the Oura Ring 4 is the refinement of its sensors. These sensors have been significantly slimmed down, now measuring just 0.3mm, compared to the 1.3mm sensors on the Gen 3 model. The slimmer profile ensures they don’t protrude, providing a smoother, more comfortable wearing experience. Despite the reduction in size, Oura has promised improved accuracy in its health tracking capabilities, making the ring not just a stylish accessory, but a more reliable health monitoring tool.
Automatic Activity Detection
With the Oura Ring 4, users no longer need to manually start and stop activity tracking. The new Automatic Activity Detection (AAD) feature recognizes when the wearer begins exercising, records the session, and logs the data automatically. Whether you’re going for a brisk walk, a bike ride, or even engaging in high-intensity interval training, the Oura Ring 4 will automatically note the type of activity, its intensity, and duration.
This feature is a game-changer for those who engage in varied forms of exercise throughout the day. It reduces the friction of having to manually track each activity, giving users a seamless experience when reviewing their health data at the end of the day.
Improved Battery Life
One of the biggest concerns with any wearable device is battery life, especially for something meant to be worn 24/7. Oura has addressed this with the Oura Ring 4 by extending the battery life to last up to a full week on a single charge. This is particularly impressive given the increased data collection and the variety of features the ring now supports.
The charging process is also hassle-free. The ring comes with a sleek wireless charging dock, ensuring that topping up the battery is as simple as placing it on a surface for a short period. Users can go about their day without worrying about their ring running out of juice.
Expanded Health Insights
While previous generations of the Oura Ring have excelled in monitoring sleep, heart rate, and activity, the Oura Ring 4 takes things a step further by expanding the types of health insights it can deliver. Beyond simply tracking metrics, the ring now provides more actionable advice. For example, if the ring detects that your heart rate variability (HRV) is lower than usual, it might suggest taking it easy for the day to allow your body to recover.
Additionally, the Oura Ring 4 has improved its readiness score algorithm, offering a more accurate daily snapshot of your overall health and energy levels. This feature can be particularly useful for athletes and individuals looking to optimize their training schedules, ensuring that they are pushing themselves at the right times while also allowing for adequate rest and recovery.
Software Updates and Future-Proofing
Oura has also made it clear that the Oura Ring 4 is future-proofed for upcoming software updates. As of October 3, 2024, both Oura Ring 4 and Gen3 members will begin receiving new software updates that enhance the functionality of their devices. These updates include new features such as Automatic Activity Detection, and Oura has promised that more features will continue to roll out in the future.
This commitment to ongoing software improvements means that the Oura Ring 4 will only get better with time. The ability to upgrade the software over the air ensures that users will always have access to the latest health-tracking advancements without needing to purchase a new device every year.
The Price and Release Date
The Oura Ring 4 is set to be released on October 15, 2024, with a starting price of $349. This price includes access to the Oura app, where users can view all their health data in one place. The app also provides personalized insights based on the data collected by the ring, helping users make informed decisions about their health and wellness.
While the Oura Ring 4 may come with a premium price tag, it offers a level of accuracy and functionality that is unmatched by many other wearables on the market today. For those who are serious about understanding their health, the Oura Ring 4 represents an excellent investment.
Conclusion
The Oura Ring 4 is more than just an incremental upgrade; it is a comprehensive health tool that caters to those who want to go beyond basic fitness tracking. With its sleek design, Smart Sensing technology, expanded health insights, and future-proofed software, the Oura Ring 4 promises to be a leader in the wearable health tech space. Whether you’re an athlete, a health enthusiast, or someone looking to improve your sleep and overall wellness, the Oura Ring 4 offers something for everyone
Arthur is a senior member of the communications team who has worked at several well-known companies over the past 10 years. As a writer with many years of experience in the technology sector, focusing on reviewing mobile phones and accessories, he has written about many products or has been hands-on with them at some point
