Oura Ring 4 Vs. 5 Hands-on Test: Sensor Accuracy & Battery Head-to-Head
By Alexander Ross
Shrinking physical dimensions typically penalizes battery capacity. To evaluate real battery life comparison metrics, both rings ran identical feature sets: continuous blood oxygen tracking active, active heart rate monitoring enabled, and notifications pinging through a paired iOS device.
The fourth-generation ring reliably delivered between 5.5 and 6 days of runtime during year one, though our aged reference unit stabilized around 5 full days before demanding juice. The newly unboxed Gen 5 lasted 7 days and 4 hours on its initial cycle. Over 90 continuous days, comprising approximately 13 full discharge-and-recharge sequences, the Gen 5 settled into a stable cadence of 6.5 days between charges.
| Hardware & Testing Metrics | Oura Ring 4 | Oura Ring 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis Thickness & Weight (Size 10) | 2.88 mm | 5.2 grams | 2.45 mm | 4.1 grams |
| Optical Sensor Structure | Raised transparent epoxy bumps | Recessed, completely flush multi-path PPG |
| Measured Battery Endurance (SpO2 On) | 5.0, 5.5 days | 6.5, 7.0 days |
| 0, 100% Charge Duration | 78 minutes | 54 minutes (Fast Charge Dock) |
| PVD Scratch Resistance Index | Standard Titanium PVD | Tungsten Ceramic reinforced PVD |
| Entry Pricing (Base Silver/Black) | $299, $349 | $349, $399 |
Charging speed represents the unsung quality-of-life jump. The fourth generation required an hour and eighteen minutes to reach full capacity from a 5% baseline on its horizontal cradle. The fifth-generation ring uses a redesigned inductive dock with magnetic centering pins, hitting 100% in 54 minutes. A 15-minute quick top-up while showering replenished enough reserve power for 44 hours of tracking.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
