A day later with Oura Ring 5, I can't believe how much of an upgrade it's been from Ring 4
Oura Ring 5 is smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than Ring 4, and it also promises an extra day of battery life.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
ZDNET’s hands-on take argues that Oura’s biggest upgrade is its least visible one: a slimmer ring that feels much closer to normal jewelry. The review also says the redesign required changes to the battery, software, and sensors.
Oura Ring 5 is like a tiny tool that got slimmed down so it feels more like a normal ring and less like a gadget. The article says that makes it easier to wear all day, like switching from a clunky backpack to a small one that fits better.
Analysis
What changed
ZDNET’s one-day hands-on review says Oura Ring 5 feels like a meaningful step forward from Ring 4 mainly because it is noticeably smaller and lighter. The reviewer says that difference shows up in everyday movement: gripping objects, squeezing fingers together, and wearing the ring alongside normal jewelry all feel easier with the newer model.
Why the upgrade feels real
The article says Oura reduced the ring’s size by 40% and added one more day of battery life. To get there, Oura reportedly redesigned the ring end to end, changing the battery, refining the algorithm, and using more powerful LEDs for health tracking. That makes this more than a cosmetic refresh, even though much of the software on Ring 5 is also available on Ring 4.
The review’s main point is that the best improvement is subtle rather than flashy. The writer says Ring 5 is the first mainstream example in this category of wearable tech becoming less bulky and more like a piece of everyday jewelry. That matters because a device worn nearly all day has to be comfortable before it can be useful.
Limits of the review
The piece is careful about what it cannot yet confirm. The reviewer says the ring has only been worn for a day, so the battery claim has not been tested over time. The same caution applies to software additions such as Health Radar and live activity tracking, which the article says will be covered more fully later.
Key points
- Oura Ring 5 is slimmer and lighter than Ring 4, and the reviewer says that makes it much more comfortable to wear.
- The company says the new ring has 40% less bulk and one extra day of battery life.
- Oura reportedly redesigned the battery, algorithm, and LEDs to make the smaller ring work.
- ZDNET says many software features on Ring 5 are also available on Ring 4.
- The reviewer says the biggest improvement is how little the ring is noticed during normal wear.
If the smaller shape and extra battery life hold up in longer testing, Oura could make smart rings feel much more natural to wear all day. That would help the category move from bulky gadget to everyday accessory.
The review is based on only one day of use, so the battery gain and new software features are not fully proven yet. If the promised improvements do not hold up in longer real-world use, the upgrade may feel less dramatic than it does on first impression.
