Oura Ring 5 Confirmed for May 28: Should You Upgrade or Buy Ring 4 Now?
The wait is almost over. A leaked internal Oura document — corroborated by recent FCC filings — confirms the Oura Ring 5 will be announced on May 28, 2026, with pre-orders opening immediately and units shipping on June 4. Here's everything we know about the new ring, how it compares to the Ring 4, and whether you should buy now or wait five more days.
Launch Date
May 28 announcement, pre-orders same day, shipping June 4. Just five days away.
Key Upgrade
Slimmer body with larger optical sensors for better heart rate and SpO2 accuracy.
Our Advice
Wait until May 28. Either buy Ring 5 or grab a discounted Ring 4.
What's New in the Oura Ring 5?
The Oura Ring 5 isn't a ground-up redesign — it's a meaningful refinement of the Ring 4's already strong foundation. Think of it as what Apple does with its S-year iPhone upgrades: same core concept, better execution where it matters most.
The most significant change is larger optical sensors with additional red and green LEDs. Oura has always led the smart ring market in heart rate accuracy, and these bigger sensors should widen that gap — particularly for nighttime readings and SpO2 tracking, where the Ring 4 occasionally struggled with darker skin tones. The form factor is also slimmer and lighter, with a more curved outer surface that creates a more seamless transition to the inner resin band.
How Does Ring 5 Compare to Ring 4?
Based on leaked specs, here's what changes — and what stays the same:
- Sensors: Larger optical array with more LEDs (Ring 5) vs. standard multi-path sensor (Ring 4)
- Design: Slimmer profile with more curved edges (Ring 5) vs. flatter sides (Ring 4)
- Charging case: Four full charges (Ring 5) vs. three full charges (Ring 4)
- Colors: Six options including new Deep Rose (Ring 5) vs. five options with Rose Gold (Ring 4)
- Health features: Same suite — sleep tracking, readiness score, heart rate, SpO2, temperature, stress
- Subscription: Still required ($5.99/month or $69.99/year) for full insights
- Water resistance: Expected to remain 100 meters
If you already own a Ring 4 and are happy with its accuracy, Ring 5 probably isn't a must-upgrade. But if you're buying your first Oura ring or coming from a Ring 3 or earlier, Ring 5 is the obvious choice.
Should You Wait for Ring 5 or Buy Ring 4 Now?
With only five days until the announcement, we strongly recommend waiting. Here's why:
- Ring 4 prices will drop. Once Ring 5 pre-orders open, expect retailers to discount remaining Ring 4 inventory. You could save $50–$100.
- Ring 5 may not cost much more. If the price lands at $399 as expected, the premium over Ring 4's current street price may be small.
- Full specs will be confirmed. Right now we're working from leaks. May 28 will confirm battery life, exact pricing, and any surprise features.
What About Competitors Like RingConn Gen 3?
The smart ring market has never been more competitive. The RingConn Gen 3 just launched at $349 with haptic vibration alerts — something neither Oura ring offers — plus nighttime blood pressure trends and no subscription fee. Battery life stretches to 11–14 days, nearly double what Oura delivers.
Meanwhile, the Ultrahuman Ring Pro is back on US shelves with a category-leading 15-day battery and no subscription. And the Samsung Galaxy Ring remains the best choice for Galaxy phone owners at $399.
Oura's advantage remains its app quality and health insights. The Readiness Score, sleep staging analysis, and long-term trend tracking are still best-in-class. But competitors are closing the gap, and the mandatory subscription is a harder sell when RingConn and Ultrahuman include everything for free.
The Bigger Picture: Oura's IPO Filing
The Ring 5 launch comes just days after Oura filed for an IPO at an $11 billion valuation. The timing isn't coincidental — Oura wants to show Wall Street a fresh product lineup and continued innovation. For buyers, the IPO is a positive signal: it means Oura is investing heavily in long-term software development and health research, making the subscription more likely to deliver ongoing value.
Our Recommendation
Wait until May 28. Whether you end up buying Ring 5 at launch or picking up a discounted Ring 4, you'll be better off with five more days of information. If you can't wait, the Oura Ring 4 at $349 on Amazon is still an excellent smart ring — Ring 5 doesn't make it obsolete. And if you want to skip the subscription entirely, check out the RingConn Gen 3 or browse our full comparison hub.
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Oura Ring 5 FAQ
Common questions about the Oura Ring 5 launch
Quick answers to help you decide whether to buy now or wait for May 28.
When does the Oura Ring 5 come out?
According to a leaked internal document, the Oura Ring 5 will be announced on May 28, 2026, with pre-orders opening the same day. Shipping begins June 4, 2026.
How much will the Oura Ring 5 cost?
Oura hasn't confirmed pricing yet, but analysts expect a starting price around $399 — roughly $50 more than the Ring 4's $349 starting price. The Oura membership subscription ($5.99/month) is expected to remain required for full features.
Should I buy the Oura Ring 4 now or wait for Ring 5?
With Ring 5 launching in just five days, we recommend waiting. Ring 4 prices will likely drop once Ring 5 pre-orders open, giving you either a cheaper Ring 4 or the option to buy the latest model.
What's new in the Oura Ring 5 compared to Ring 4?
The Ring 5 features a slimmer, lighter design with a more curved profile, significantly larger optical sensors with additional red and green LEDs for improved accuracy, a new Deep Rose color option, and a charging case that holds four full charges instead of three.
Is the Oura Ring 5 better than the RingConn Gen 3?
It depends on your priorities. The RingConn Gen 3 offers haptic vibration alerts and no subscription fee at $349. Oura Ring 5 is expected to have superior health tracking accuracy and app quality, but at a higher price with a mandatory subscription.