Oura Ring 5 Launches Tomorrow at $399: Should You Pre-Order or Buy Ring 4 at a Discount?
Tomorrow, May 28, Oura officially unveils the Oura Ring 5 — the next generation of the world's most popular smart ring. Leaked materials have confirmed a $399 starting price (up from $349 for Ring 4), with pre-orders opening immediately and shipping beginning June 4. The timing couldn't be more interesting: the RingConn Gen 3 ships the very next dayat $349 with no subscription. Here's everything you need to know to make the right call.
The Upgrade
Oura Ring 5 — $399 standard, $499 premium. Thinner chassis, Deep Rose color, 4× travel charging case, 7-day battery.
The Value Play
Oura Ring 4 at $349 (likely dropping to ~$299 post-launch) with identical sensor suite and full software support.
The Alternative
RingConn Gen 3 at $349 — no subscription, haptic alerts, 14-day battery.
What's Actually New in the Oura Ring 5?
Let's be direct: the Oura Ring 5 is an incremental update, not a generational leap. Oura has refined the hardware rather than reinventing it. The sensor suite remains largely identical to the Ring 4, but the physical design and accessories see meaningful improvements.
The ring is noticeably thinner, with Oura optimizing sensor placement to maintain accuracy in a slimmer profile. A new Deep Rose finish joins the lineup — the most fashion-forward color Oura has offered. And the standout accessory upgrade is the 4× travel charging case, which provides four full charges on the go, solving the biggest pain point of previous generations where forgetting your charger meant a dead ring within a week.
How Does Ring 5 Compare to Ring 4?
| Feature | Ring 5 | Ring 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399–$499 | $349–$449 |
| Design | Thinner profile | Standard profile |
| Battery | 7 days | 7 days |
| Charging Case | 4× charges | Single charger |
| Health Metrics | 50+ | 50+ |
| Colors | +Deep Rose | Black, Silver, Gold |
| Subscription | $5.99/mo | $5.99/mo |
The sensor stack is essentially identical: heart rate, HRV, SpO2, skin temperature, respiration rate, and sleep staging. Both rings benefit from the same software platform, including the ResMed sleep apnea partnership and hormonal health features.
Is the $50 Price Increase Justified?
This is the central question. The Ring 5's $399 starting price represents a 14% increase over Ring 4, and the total first-year cost is $471 ($399 + $72 subscription). For comparison, the RingConn Gen 3 costs $349 total with no ongoing fees — ever.
The price increase buys you a thinner design and the new charging case. If you travel frequently and worry about keeping your ring charged, the 4× case is genuinely useful. If those don't matter to you, the Ring 4 at its current — and soon-to-be-discounted — price is the better value.
After Oura's $11 billion IPO filing, the company is under pressure to grow revenue. The combination of a higher hardware price and mandatory subscription creates a premium positioning that works if the software justifies it — and for most users, Oura's app remains the best in class.
Should You Pre-Order, Wait, or Buy Something Else?
Pre-order the Ring 5 if:You're a new smart ring buyer who wants the best overall software experience, you care about the thinner design or Deep Rose color, or you travel often and want the 4× charging case. Pre-ordering gets you the ring by June 4.
Buy the Ring 4 instead if: You want Oura's ecosystem at a lower price. The Ring 4 at $349 on Amazon already offers identical health tracking, and prices will likely drop further after the Ring 5 launch. This is the value play.
Consider the RingConn Gen 3 if: You hate subscriptions. At $349 with no monthly fee, haptic vibration alerts, and 14-day battery life, the Gen 3 is the most feature-rich subscription-free smart ring available. It ships May 29.
Wait if:You already own a Ring 4. The Ring 5 isn't a big enough leap to justify the upgrade cost. Wait for the Ring 6, which is expected to bring genuinely new sensors.
How Does This Fit the Broader Smart Ring Market?
This is the most competitive week the smart ring category has ever seen. Oura Ring 5 announces May 28, RingConn Gen 3 ships May 29, and the Ultrahuman Ring Pro is now available at competitive pricing. Samsung's Galaxy Ring 2 remains shelved due to patent disputes with Oura, leaving the field to dedicated smart ring companies.
Smart ring shipments surged 49% in early 2026, with Oura commanding the largest market share. The Ring 5's higher price reflects Oura's confidence in its market position — but with RingConn and Ultrahuman closing the feature gap, that premium needs ongoing justification through software innovation.
Browse all smart rings in our smart ring comparison guide, or use the compare hub to build a side-by-side comparison.
Related Articles
- RingConn Gen 3 vs Oura Ring 5: Which Smart Ring Should You Buy This Week?
- Oura x ResMed Sleep Apnea Partnership: What Changed and Who Should Care
- Best Smart Rings May 2026: RingConn, Ultrahuman, and Oura Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Oura Ring 5 cost?
The Oura Ring 5 starts at $399 for standard finishes (black, silver, Deep Rose) and $499 for premium finishes (brushed silver, matte black, gold, rose gold). The $5.99/month Oura membership is still required for full health insights.
When can I pre-order the Oura Ring 5?
Pre-orders open May 28, 2026, with shipping beginning June 4. You can order directly from Oura's website and select retailers. Amazon availability is expected shortly after launch.
Is the Oura Ring 5 worth the upgrade from Ring 4?
If you already own a Ring 4 in good condition, the Ring 5 is a minor upgrade — thinner design, better power efficiency, and a new charging case. The sensor suite and software are largely identical. Most Ring 4 owners should wait for the Ring 6.
Should I buy the Oura Ring 5 or RingConn Gen 3?
Choose Oura Ring 5 if you value the most polished app experience, clinical partnerships like ResMed sleep apnea detection, and don't mind the $5.99/month subscription. Choose RingConn Gen 3 ($349, no subscription) if you want haptic alerts, 14-day battery life, and vascular health insights without ongoing fees.
Will the Oura Ring 4 get cheaper after Ring 5 launches?
Yes. Expect the Ring 4 to drop to $299 or lower on Amazon and eBay within weeks of the Ring 5 launch. If you don't need the slimmer design and new charging case, the Ring 4 at a discount is excellent value.