Oura Ring 5 Leaked: Should You Wait or Buy the Ring 4 Now?
The Oura Ring 5 just leaked — over a year before it's expected to ship. First images published by Gizmodo show a rounder design with significantly larger optical sensors and a new Deep Rose colorway. It looks like a genuine upgrade. So: should you hold off on buying the Oura Ring Gen 4 and wait? Here's the definitive answer.
Ring 5 ETA
Late 2027 at the earliest — roughly 18+ months away based on Oura's typical product cycle.
Ring 4 Status
Available now and still the best smart ring on the market. Check current prices.
Our Verdict
Don't wait. Buy the Ring 4 now unless you can't afford it — in which case, consider the Galaxy Ring.
What Was Leaked
Images first published by Gizmodo — and corroborated by Gadgets & Wearables — show what appear to be early production prototypes of the Oura Ring 5. Key design changes visible in the leaked photos:
- Larger optical sensor cluster — the bottom of the ring shows a noticeably expanded sensor window with more individual LEDs (both red and green wavelengths). More LEDs means better contact surface area and potentially improved heart rate, SpO2, and HRV accuracy.
- Rounder cross-section — the Ring 4 has a slightly flat profile on the inner ring. Ring 5 appears more symmetrically circular, which could improve all-night comfort and reduce pressure points.
- New "Deep Rose" colorway — a richer, darker pink replaces the existing Rose Gold finish. Other colors: Stealth black, brushed silver, polished silver, and gold.
When Is Oura Ring 5 Actually Coming?
This is the most important question — and the answer is: not soon. Oura's product history tells a consistent story:
- Ring Gen 2 → Ring Gen 3: approximately 18 months
- Ring Gen 3 → Ring Gen 4: approximately 20 months
- Ring Gen 4 launched: late 2024
- Ring 5 expected: late 2027, based on the same cadence
The fact that these are early prototypes leaking now is actually a sign that Ring 5 is still deep in development — not close to launch. Hardware products typically don't reach consumers until 12–18 months after the first prototype photos surface.
Is the Oura Ring Gen 4 Still Worth Buying?
Absolutely — and not just because Ring 5 is far away. The Oura Ring Gen 4 is the best smart ring available in 2026 by a meaningful margin. Since launch it has received a software update adding continuous blood pressure estimation — a feature no other smart ring currently offers at comparable accuracy. Add in its best-in-class sleep staging, HRV monitoring, readiness scoring, and the most comprehensive health app in the category, and you have a product that's still at the leading edge of what's possible.
Two years of use from a Ring 4 bought today will likely deliver more cumulative health value than waiting 18+ months for a Ring 5 with incrementally better sensors.
Who Should Wait vs. Who Should Buy Now
Buy the Ring 4 Now If:
- ✓ You want the best available smart ring today
- ✓ You have health goals you're actively working toward
- ✓ You want blood pressure estimation now, not in 2027
- ✓ You've been considering a smart ring for months
- ✓ You don't want to wait 18+ months for marginal accuracy gains
Consider Waiting If:
- → You're on a tight budget and can manage without tracking for now
- → Sensor accuracy is critically important for medical monitoring
- → The new Deep Rose color is specifically what you want
- → You've already tried a smart ring and weren't impressed
Alternatives to Consider
If the Oura Ring 4 is outside your budget (it starts around $299 plus a $5.99/month subscription), there are competitive alternatives:
- Samsung Galaxy Ring — no subscription fee, excellent Galaxy ecosystem integration, great for Samsung phone users. Check current prices.
- RingConn Gen 2 — the best budget option, no subscription, surprisingly accurate sleep tracking at a much lower price point.
- Ultrahuman Ring Pro (pre-order) — 15-day claimed battery life, no subscription, $349 early-bird. Ships May 2026. Higher risk as an unproven product.
You can compare all current smart rings on our smart rings category page or use our comparison tool.
Where to Buy Oura Ring Gen 4
The Oura Ring Gen 4 is available directly from Oura (best for size selection) and on Amazon. We track live pricing across verified sellers on our Oura Ring Gen 4 price page. The ring requires a ring sizing kit first — available free from Oura's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Oura Ring 5 be released?
Based on the leaked prototypes and Oura's typical product cycle, the Oura Ring 5 is not expected until late 2027 at the earliest. The Ring 4 launched in late 2024, and Oura typically takes 18–24 months between generations.
What's new in the Oura Ring 5 design?
Leaked images reveal a rounder cross-sectional profile (compared to Ring 4's flatter design), larger optical sensor arrays with more red and green LEDs, and a new 'Deep Rose' colorway replacing Rose Gold. Other colors include Stealth black, silver (glossy and brushed), and gold.
Is the Oura Ring Gen 4 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes — the Oura Ring Gen 4 remains the best smart ring available as of 2026. It offers the most accurate sleep tracking, continuous blood pressure estimation, HRV, SpO2, and a mature app ecosystem. With Ring 5 not expected until 2027, there's no reason to delay if you need a ring today.
How does Oura Ring Gen 4 compare to Samsung Galaxy Ring?
Oura leads on health tracking depth — better sleep staging, blood pressure estimation, and a more mature app. Galaxy Ring wins for Galaxy phone integration, gesture controls, and no subscription fee (Oura charges $5.99/month). For pure health insights, Oura is ahead.
Does the Oura Ring require a subscription?
Yes, the Oura Ring requires a $5.99/month membership to access full health insights and the app's analysis features. Basic tracking works without it, but most of the value comes from the app's readiness scores and health trends.