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Oura has rolled out the Oura Ring 4, the newest addition to its line of health and sleep trackers. This latest version arrives with an upgraded sensing system that adjusts to individual fingers, a lighter titanium build, and a fresh look for its companion app. Orders open on October 3, and shipping starts on October 15. Priced at $349, it sits $50 above the base Gen 3 model but matches the cost of the Horizon edition.
The Oura Ring first gained a spotlight during the pandemic for its role in tracking NBA players’ health. Since then, it’s found its way onto the fingers of celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow. But the world of wearable tech has changed since then, with new contenders like Samsung’s Galaxy Ring jumping into the ring—pun intended.
The Oura Ring 4 aims to refine the basics: improving accuracy, battery life, and comfort while staying true to its sleek design. Jason Russell, Oura’s VP of consumer software product, shared that they focused on making the ring a better fit for everyone.
“Not all fingers are created equal,” Russell quipped. “Our arteries and veins are all over the place, which can mess with signal quality.”
To counter that variability, the Oura Ring 4 introduces a “smart sensing” system that tailors readings to the wearer’s finger. It also features twice as many signal pathways as the Gen 3 and packs two triple-LED systems—each with red, green, and infrared light—compared to the Gen 3’s single setup. The titanium exterior and interior are designed to reduce stray light interference and deliver cleaner readings, or at least that’s the pitch.
While the Oura Ring 4 doesn’t detect sleep apnea, it can provide more detailed data on breathing disturbances, which users can bring up with their healthcare providers. An Oura-conducted study showed a 120% improvement in blood oxygen sensing and more accurate detection of breathing disturbances, though it’s worth noting that these improvements are based on internal testing.
The design has gotten a few tweaks too. The Oura Ring 4 weighs in at 3.3 to 5.2 grams, depending on size, shaving off a bit of heft compared to the Gen 3’s 4 to 6 grams. The ring’s sizes now range from 4 to 15, accommodating a broader range of finger shapes. It comes in brushed silver, black, gold, rose gold, and stealth finishes, and the black edition has a glossy sheen that might make it the fashion statement your smartwatch could never be.
Battery life has been extended up to eight days, a slight boost over the Gen 3’s maximum of seven. This means users can track sleep and health metrics for a longer stretch without needing to charge.
Oura’s app has undergone a rework, with a streamlined interface split into three tabs: Today, Vitals, and My Health. The Today tab surfaces information that’s more immediately relevant, while Vitals and My Health focus on individual metrics and long-term trends. The change should make it easier for users to find what they’re looking for and sidestep the maze of menus in the old app.
The real test, of course, is whether the Oura Ring 4’s upgraded sensors and new algorithms deliver on their promises. But for those looking to accessorize their health tracking game with a smart ring that doubles as a sleek piece of jewelry, Oura’s latest model might just be the right fit—finger and all.
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