The Oura Ring Gen 3 has been officially succeeded by the Oura Ring 4, marking a new chapter in smart ring technology. If you’re considering purchasing your first Oura Ring or contemplating an upgrade from the Gen 3, understanding the differences between these two models is crucial. This detailed comparison will guide you through the key distinctions, helping you decide which Oura Ring best fits your needs.
Having tracked health metrics with the Oura Ring 3 since its 2021 release, we’ve closely examined the latest Oura Ring 4. Launched on October 15th with a starting price of $349, the Oura Ring 4 boasts a complete titanium redesign and enhanced battery performance. Moving forward, Oura’s focus is on the Oura Ring 4, although the Oura Ring 3 remains available while supplies last.
While both rings share fundamental features and app compatibility, significant upgrades in the Oura Ring 4’s design and sensor technology warrant a closer look. The Oura app experience and core fitness tracking metrics remain largely consistent across both generations, yet the hardware advancements in the newer model present compelling reasons to consider the Oura Ring 4.
Below, we delve into a comprehensive comparison of the Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 3, covering specifications, design, fitness tracking capabilities, battery life, and pricing to provide you with all the necessary information to make an informed decision about which smart ring to choose.
Oura Ring 4: The Smart Ring Revolution is OVER?! – YouTube 
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Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 3: Specs Compared
| Feature | Oura Ring 4 | Oura Ring 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $349 | $299 |
| Sizes | 4-15 | 6-13 |
| Colors | Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Brushed Titanium, Black, Stealth | Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Brushed Titanium, Black, Stealth |
| Sensors | PPG (heart rate + SpO2), skin temperature, accelerometer | PPG (heart rate + SpO2), skin temperature, accelerometer |
| Weight | 3.3-5.2 grams | 4-6 grams |
| Thickness | ~ 2.88mm | ~ 2.7-2.9mm |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 days | Up to 7 days |
| Subscription | $5.99/month | $5.99/month |
Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 3: Price and Availability
The Oura Ring 4 officially superseded the Oura Ring 3 on October 3rd, 2024, with the official release date on October 15th. Currently, Oura Ring 3 is no longer available for direct purchase from Oura’s website. However, retailers may still have existing stock, potentially offering discounted prices. For instance, a significant $100 discount on the Oura Ring 3 was observed during Amazon’s October Prime Day sales.
Price-wise, the Oura Ring 4 starts at $349, representing a $50 increase from the Oura Ring 3’s original Heritage style. It’s worth noting that the Gen 3 Horizon style, featuring a fully round design, also started at $349.
Oura Ring 4: Starting from $349 at Oura The Oura Ring 4 offers six color finishes: Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Brushed Titanium, Black, and Stealth. It features an improved smooth interior and extended battery life up to 8 days.
Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 3: Design and Comfort
At first glance, the Oura Ring 4 may appear visually similar to the Oura Ring 3. However, closer inspection reveals notable internal design enhancements in the newer iteration that impact both comfort and sensor performance.
Enhanced Internal Sensor Design
The most significant design change lies within the ring’s interior. The Oura Ring Gen 3 featured three prominent ridges housing the sensors. In contrast, the Oura Ring 4 incorporates a redesigned sensor housing that is almost entirely recessed. The new design presents only two very subtle bumps, which are barely noticeable to the wearer, significantly improving overall comfort and wearability, especially during sleep.
Material and Weight Optimization
Another key improvement is the Oura Ring 4’s construction entirely from titanium, unlike the Oura Ring 3 which used a titanium exterior with an epoxy interior layer. This all-titanium build makes the Oura Ring 4 marginally lighter, contributing to enhanced comfort. Furthermore, this material change reportedly contributes to improved sensor accuracy.
Extended Size Options
The Oura Ring 4 expands its size range, now available in sizes 4 through 15. This wider range provides four additional size options compared to the Oura Ring 3, offering a more inclusive fit for a broader range of users. While Oura still recommends using a sizing kit to determine the perfect fit, the increased size availability gives the Oura Ring 4 an advantage over competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Ring, which is available in sizes 5 through 13.
Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 3: Fitness Tracking Features and Accuracy
The Oura Ring 4 introduces “Smart Sensing,” a refined sensor system designed to enhance data accuracy. This upgraded system utilizes up to 18 sensing paths, an increase from the 8 paths in the Oura Ring 3, to analyze signals from your finger. By dynamically selecting the most reliable paths, the Oura Ring 4 aims to provide more consistent and accurate data collection, reducing instances of data gaps.
Improved Sensor Accuracy
Oura claims up to a 120% increase in accuracy for the Oura Ring 4 in specific measurements compared to its predecessor. Despite these hardware improvements, the range of fitness and health metrics tracked remains consistent between both models.
Consistent Feature Set and App Experience
Crucially, both Oura Ring 3 and Oura Ring 4 users benefit from the same comprehensive suite of health metrics and integrations through the Oura app. A recent app overhaul, launched on October 3rd, 2024, provides an enhanced user interface for both generations. This includes features such as sleep tracking, activity tracking with automatic workout detection, heart rate monitoring, readiness and stress scores, menstrual cycle predictions, resilience assessments, and long-term health trend analysis. The redesigned Oura app is organized into three intuitive tabs: Today, Vitals, and My Health, ensuring easy access to your data.
Oura continues to enrich the app experience with new features and third-party integrations, reinforcing the value proposition of the Oura ecosystem. However, access to the full Oura app experience requires a $5.99 monthly membership.
Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 3: Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance sees a slight improvement in the Oura Ring 4. While the Oura Ring 3 advertised up to 7 days of battery life, real-world usage typically yielded 4-5 days. Oura states the Ring 4 can achieve up to 8 days on a single charge. While extensive testing is still needed to confirm this claim, early indications suggest a likely range of 5-6 days with regular feature use and activity tracking.
Redesigned Charging Base
The Oura Ring 4 also features a newly designed charging base. Moving away from the Oura Ring 3’s black plastic charger, the Ring 4 comes with a more premium, squared-off metal charging base in silver. This new design is not only more aesthetically pleasing but also more practical, being easier to locate and less prone to being misplaced compared to its predecessor.
Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring 3: Upgrade Recommendation
The decision to upgrade from the Oura Ring Gen 3 to the Oura Ring 4 hinges on whether the hardware enhancements justify the cost, especially considering the largely identical app experience and feature set.
For existing Oura Ring 3 users, upgrading to the Oura Ring 4 may not be essential. The core functionality and app-based features remain consistent. However, for users who prioritize cutting-edge hardware, enhanced comfort, and potentially more accurate sensor readings, the Oura Ring 4 presents a worthwhile upgrade.
If you are new to the Oura Ring ecosystem, the Oura Ring 4 is undoubtedly the superior choice. While the Oura Ring 3 might be available at a discount while supplies last, the Oura Ring 4 offers notable improvements in design, comfort, sensor technology, and battery life, making it the definitive Oura Ring to purchase. Investing in the Oura Ring 4 ensures you are equipped with Oura’s latest technology, likely to remain the flagship model for the foreseeable future.
