Oura Ring 4 arrives to take on the Samsung Galaxy Ring

The smart ring market has kept a steady hold on our attention this year, with players like the Samsung Galaxy Ring finally joining the fray. Yet despite the growing competition, Oura has maintained its edge, offering shoppers a well-rounded device and highly reliable tracking. Today, Oura announced a brand new generation, the Oura Ring 4, with a slew of hardware and software updates to further improve user experiences.

To start, the Oura Ring 4 debuts a sleeker build than its predecessor, with reduced sensor domes inside the ring and a full titanium interior. This means less friction when slipping the device over knuckles, plus enhanced durability. Oura also expanded its range of fits to include sizes 4 through 15, offering a better wear experience to more fingers.

Unlike the last generation, the device is only available in one style. The company dropped its plateaued Heritage design in favor of the fully rounded Horizon, with the ring available in six unique finishes: Gold, Rose Gold, Black, Brushed Silver, Silver, and Stealth.

As for updates beyond looks and comfort, the Oura Ring 4 also introduces Smart Sensing, which utilizes the ring’s sensor package and a powerful algorithm to dynamically prioritize signal pathways for health and activity tracking. Where the Oura Ring 3 depended on eight signal paths, the Oura Ring 4 uses up to 18 to continuously record accurate data.

Like its predecessor, the Oura Ring 4 tracks and analyzes dozens of wellness metrics ranging from blood oxygen and heart rate to sleep quality and temperature. This includes a number of new features introduced this year, as well as some beta programs that are still available for testing via the Oura Labs program. According to Oura, Smart Sensing, in particular, will deliver substantial tracking improvements to a range of measurements, better account for skin tones, and solve data gaps.

The device also more accurately detects workouts automatically and now offers active users better activity recognition for more than 30 workout types. It will even automatically record heart rate data for all workouts. Oura also updated its Daytime Stress feature to determine how activity and other habits impact stress. Finally, Oura also introduced an exciting Fertile Window feature for female users that will roll out in the coming months.

On the battery front, Oura also claims the ring will provide up to eight days of battery life (up from the Oura Ring 3’s seven-day claim). Unfortunately, Oura stuck with its puck-style charging cradle this generation rather than updating to a charging case with a built-in battery like that of the Galaxy Ring and others.

Of course, the device itself isn’t the only upgrade unveiled today. Oura also announced an all-new companion app design intended to emphasize users’ holistic health. Now divided into three tabs, the Oura app organizes data and features in a more personalized and digestible manner.

In the Today tab, users can find big-picture scores, access new useful shortcuts, and review helpful Spotlights, which include personalized details and insights. In the Vitals tab, Oura consolidates users’ core metrics and offers baseline comparisons. Finally, the My Health tab acts as a larger hub for long-term metrics and trends. The app also now features a new timeline tool, food tracking, stress analysis, and other updates to features for Oura members. The refreshed app begins rolling out today and will be available to all members over the next few weeks.

The Oura Ring 4 is available now for preorder from Oura.com and major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. It will begin shipping on October 15. Pricing for the device depends on the ring’s finish. In Silver or Stealth, the ring is priced at $349. In Black or Brushed Silver, the price bumps up to $399. The most expensive models, the Gold and Rose Gold, will run shoppers $499. Of course, the ring also still requires an Oura Membership for a full experience. This subscription costs $5.99/month or $69.99 annually.