Oura Ring 4 hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Ring’s worst nightmare

Oura Ring 4, like a stealth ninja in the night, may just have knocked the Samsung Galaxy Ring off its high horse.

I’ve been wearing the Galaxy Ring since its launch at the end of July – and have it on my ring finger constantly. I praised it for a number of features, including its nice interactions with my Galaxy S24 Ultra (it can activate the shutter button in the Camera app). Plus, the lack of a subscription fee is always a bonus.

As the weeks went by, however, I grew bored with the Samsung Galaxy Ring – something is missing. It needs more.

And then – wham! – Oura Ring 4 was just announced, threatening to wipe out all its competitors. A new costumed beast has entered the ring, with the goal of games, and has the Galaxy ring in question, ready to deliver the knockout blow.

Oura Ring 4 practical

So for the uninitiated, the Oura Ring 3, because of its sensors, has a bumpy interior – similar to the Samsung Galaxy Ring.

In my opinion, the bump is barely noticeable for both wearables. For example, Mashable’s Chris Taylor, who reviewed the Oura Ring 3, claims that the sensors felt like “smooth little round teeth” but didn’t find them unpleasant. And while the Galaxy Ring has similar grooves, they don’t bother me.

However, wanting to achieve wearable nirvana, Oura has inserted the sensors into the new fourth-generation ring for a smoother interior. Take a look below.

Now compare this to the Oura Ring 3, pictured on the left next to Taylor’s wedding ring.

In addition, Oura increased the number of signal paths to 18 (from eight).

The Finland-based health technology company told Mashable that these sensors use Smart Sensing technology, powered by an algorithm that works with the advanced sensors in the Oura Ring 4, to adapt to the unique characteristics of each user’s finger.

In other words, depending on your skin tone, BMI and age, the Oura 4 ring can calibrate to your individual physiology.

Better accuracy

According to Oura, the 10 additional signal paths in the Oura Ring 4 lead to better accuracy. As such, users should experience more accurate readings.

Oura said her claims of accuracy are backed up by research. It compared the Oura Ring 4 to the Oura Ring 3 with an external research group and recorded a 30 percent improvement in blood oxygen sensing accuracy and better monitoring of respiratory distress (15 percent increase). Plus, there are fewer gaps in its daytime and nighttime heart rate charts (7 percent and 31 percent fewer gaps, respectively).

Sensors within the Oura Ring 4 include the following:

Oura told Mashable that the Ring 4 uses a “multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) system. As you might have guessed, this went ORDER over my head. But after Oura explained it to me like I’m five, it basically means that the Oura Ring uses lights (eg green and infrared LEDs) that shine through your skin to detect certain health metrics (eg, how your blood flows in your body).

Mashable’s Speed ​​of Light

The PPG method tracks your heart rate, breathing rate and even sleep patterns, day and night.

Oura Ring 4 can monitor the following health and wellness metrics:

• Heart rate

• Heart rate variability

• Finding sleep time

• Sleep staging

• Blood oxygen levels (spO2)

• Cardiovascular age

• Cardio capacity

• Stress and resilience during the day

• Body clock and chronotype

• Cycle Insights

• Automatic activity detection

It’s also worth noting that, with the Oura Ring 4, you no longer need to worry so much about how it sits on your finger. With the Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring 3, you’ll get more accurate readings if the sensors are facing the softer parts of your finger. However, thanks to the improved sensors, this is not as much of an issue as it was with the Oura Ring 3.

Longer battery life

The Oura Ring 3, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Ring, has an advertised battery life rating of around seven days. (For me, the latter lasted about six days on a single charge.)

According to Oura, Ring 4 has improved energy efficiency. It’s said to last up to eight days, but we’ll judge that when we get it for review.

More sizes

Oura said it received many requests to accommodate more sizes.

Young women (eg teenagers), in particular, have shown interest in seeking out a wearable device with a wellness focus. It has even received several requests from burly athletes who asked for a larger size.

As such, Oura Ring 4 now offers an expanded range of sizes: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

I asked an Oura representative which finger is the best placement for Ring 4 – and apparently it’s the index finger. Interestingly, my index finger is a size 7: two sizes larger than my ring finger.

When you buy the Oura 4 ring online, you can get a free sizing bag, allowing you to choose your exact size with confidence.

The Oura 4 gold ring is stunning

The predecessor of the Oura Ring 4, the Oura Ring 3, came in two styles: Heritage and Horizon.

Now, Oura Ring 4 only comes to Horizon.

I’ve always joked that the Heritage reminds me of a washer with its ridges, while the Horizon offers a smooth, seamless, round design.

Oura Ring 4 comes in four finishes:

• Black

• Theft

• silver

• Brushed silver

• Rose Gold

• bear

However, it is the gold ring that won my heart. I can imagine getting a lot of compliments while wearing this. Meanwhile, not only have NO got compliments on my Samsung Galaxy Ring, matte black, but my ultra-honest best friend had the nerve to call it “ugly.”

New and updated app

The Oura app is also getting a major update and redesign. However, I’m most excited about Oura Labs, where you can find an AI-powered Oura Advisor that works in harmony with your Oura health data.

You can start a conversation with an Oura Advisor and they’ll give you personalized health advice and goals based on what they understand about your data.

The Oura Ring 4 is available for pre-order now and you can find it at several retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and of course, the Oura homepage.

Oura Ring 4 starts at $349 and comes with a free one-month membership. However, once it expires, a membership will set you back $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year.

Oura Ring 4 will officially hit store shelves on October 15th.

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