The Oura Ring 4 is here, been on my finger for a few hours now. What you’re about to read are my initial thoughts on the latest version of the best smart ring you can buy from someone who’s been wearing an Oura Ring for at least three years.
It’s undeniably a beautiful ring, but I’m undecided about some major changes in the devices that separate it from my favorite, the Oura Ring 3.
What It’s Like Wearing the Oura Ring 4
The most important thing about any piece of wearable technology is how it feels on your body, which is influenced by its size, weight, design, and the materials used to build it. The Oura Ring 4 is made entirely of titanium, replacing the inner section of epoxy resins from the third generation of the Oura Ring. It’s also completely flat on the underside.
Even in the first few minutes of wearing the Oura Ring 4, you can tell it’s all metal and that the dome-like protrusions have been removed. It doesn’t have the same grip on your finger as the third-generation ring, presumably due to the flat metal underside. It feels more slippery and seems to move more with your finger. This also means you need to be very careful about the ring size, as it doesn’t fit quite like previous Oura rings.
I used the sizing kit before choosing my ring size, and as Oura indicated, the size had changed slightly. At the time, I found that a size 11 ring, the same as my Oura Ring from the third generation, was the most suitable. It’s actually the same size as the old ring, but now, with cold hands, size 11 Oura Ring 4 may be too big. This could be due to the smooth underside, but also because I’m used to almost perfect compatibility with my old rings.
The size 10 ring was too tight for me when my hands were warm on the day I used the sizing kit, and it’s still the same when I tried the test ring today. Therefore, I chose size 11, but in reality, I might be somewhere between sizes with the new design. After wearing it all night and with warmer hands, the ring looks similar to the last Oura Ring, but it’s definitely not tight. It won’t slip off my finger, but this means that using the full sizing kit before purchasing is necessary.
The switch from the third generation of the Oura Ring to the new Oura Ring 4 took less than five minutes using the redesigned Oura app, with no major interruption in data recording or loss of historical data. As the Oura Ring 4 has a set of new sensors, the app confirms it can read signals accurately and uses wave gesture to show you the measure of movement it can detect. Even the firmware update was completed in moments, making using the Oura Ring 4 an easy process.
The New Design Makes a Big Difference
I opted for the new polished silver color to replace my silver third-generation Oura Ring, and it looks completely different. The reflective nature of the surface almost dominates the polished finish, shining when it catches the light. The sides are squared compared to the last curved sides of the Oura Ring, and it definitely has a more pronounced edge. It also seems that the metal sandwiches are made of a different material, likely to ensure no issues with Bluetooth connectivity. It’s hard to see in pictures as it may look like a reflection, but you’ll notice it in person.
On my finger, it doesn’t look significantly different from the last Oura Ring, but I can feel a difference. This is due to two things. The full metal surface of the Oura Ring 4 takes some time to warm up on your finger and it’s generally cooler than the resin-made Oura Ring models, and I can « feel » that it’s lost the slight curve from before. The ring hasn’t made me uncomfortable or forced me to take it off, but it’s clear this is a change from the Oura Ring I’ve been wearing on my finger for the past few years.
I’m completely torn. It looks great and appropriately different from other smart rings and the third-generation model. Additionally, the materials and shape represent a big step forward in engineering and quality. But I’m not sure about moving away from the curved edges, as well as the completely flat metal underside, and how that will affect the work environment and comfort. The third-generation Oura Ring has a great shape and design that suits me perfectly without causing any issues, and time alone will determine if the Oura Ring 4 will surpass it or not.
Another significant change in the hardware is the charger. Like the previous model, it’s a base with a USB-C port in the back (you can also get a USB-C cable in the box), but this time, it’s a larger metal block, giving it a high-quality look and feel. It matches well with the Brushed Metal finish of the Oura Ring 4, and there’s a large and clear LED indicator at the front to indicate the ring’s status.
Is It Love at First Sight?
I love the third generation of the Oura Ring. It’s the wearable technology piece I’ve been wearing constantly over the past few years, and it’s shown me everything from how stress affects my sleep to the effort I put in at work when cleaning the house. It’s easy to wear, doesn’t take up space on my wrist, so I can wear any watch I love and still track movement and sleep. I’m completely impressed with the Oura Ring and the smart ring experience.
This level of familiarity means I’ll be more sensitive to any modifications, and I’ll also consider how any changes affect its wonderful simplicity of use and smooth integration into my daily life. The Oura Ring 4 must be everything the latest version is and more, leveraging its new design and sensors and the app to achieve the most benefit if I want it to be better.
I’ve appropriately appreciated the app and its changes, which I’ll revisit in another article. But after a few hours of wearing the Oura Ring 4, I’m not entirely sure it’s a step forward in terms of hardware and design. The shape and size of the RingConn Gen 2 are superior, and I already miss the curved edges of the third-generation Oura Ring. However, everything might change when I wear it more and my fingers adapt to the new design. It’s just the beginning of my journey with the Oura Ring 4, but I hope it’s long-lasting and as insightful as the third-generation ring.
The Oura Ring 4 is now available. It starts at $349 and requires a $6 monthly subscription fee after a one-month trial period.
