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

The Oura Ring 4 is the kind of thing that sneaks up on you at night and may have knocked the Samsung Galaxy Ring off its great heights.

I’ve been wearing the Galaxy Ring since its release in late July, and it’s been on my ring finger nonstop. I praised several features, including the elegant interaction with the Galaxy S24 Ultra (being able to trigger the shutter button in the camera app). Plus, the fact that the subscription is free is always a bonus.

But as the weeks went by, I grew tired of the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Something is missing. We need more.

after that – Oh my God! — Oura Ring 4 has just been announced and threatens to wipe out all of its competitors. A new wearable beast has arrived in the ring. Just as a joke, I put the Galaxy Ring in my crosshairs and am ready to deliver a knockout blow.

Oura Ring 4 Hands-on

For the uninitiated, the Oura Ring 3 has a bumpy interior, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Ring, due to its sensor.

In my opinion, the bumps are barely perceptible on both wearables. For example, Mashable’s Chris Taylor, who reviewed the Oura Ring 3, claims that the sensor felt like “small, smooth, round teeth,” but it wasn’t unpleasant. Galaxy Ring has a similar groove, which doesn’t surprise me.

Still, wanting to achieve wearable Nirvana, Oura embedded a new 4th generation ring sensor with a smoother interior. See below.

Now compare this to 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 8).

The Finland-based health technology company says these sensors use smart sensing technology that leverages algorithms that work with the Oura Ring 4’s advanced sensors to adapt to each user’s unique finger characteristics. He told Mashable that it will be adjusted.

In other words, depending on your skin tone, BMI, and age, Oura Ring 4 can be tailored to your individual physiology.

Improved accuracy

According to Oura, the addition of 10 signal paths to Oura Ring 4 improves accuracy. Therefore, users should experience more accurate measurements.

Oura said its accuracy claims are supported by research. When we compared Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 3 with an external research group, we recorded a 30% increase in blood oxygen sensing accuracy and improved breathing disorder monitoring (15% increase). Additionally, the gap between daytime and nighttime heart rate graphs is smaller (7% and 31% less gap, respectively).

Sensors inside Oura Ring 4 include:

Oura told Mashable that Ring 4 uses a “multi-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG) system.” As you can imagine, it worked method on my head. But after Oura explained it to me like I was 5 years old, it’s basically that the Oura ring uses light (such as green LEDs and infrared LEDs) that shines through the skin to determine specific health indicators (such as blood flow in the body). flow, etc.).

mashable light speed

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

Oura Ring 4 can monitor the following health indicators:

• heartbeat

• heart rate variability

• Bedtime detection

• sleep staging

• Blood oxygen concentration (spO2)

• cardiovascular age

• cardiopulmonary function

• Daytime stress and resilience

• Body clock and chronotype

• Insights about cycles

• Automatic activity detection

It’s also worth noting that with Oura Ring 4, you no longer have to worry about how it feels on your finger. On the Galaxy Ring and Oura Ring 3, you can get more accurate readings by pointing the sensor at the fleshy part of your finger. However, thanks to the enhanced sensor, this isn’t as much of an issue as it is with the Oura Ring 3.

Extend battery life

Oura Ring 3 claims about 7 days of battery life, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Ring. (In my case, the latter lasted about 6 days on a single charge.)

According to Oura, Ring 4 has improved power efficiency. It has been reported that it can last up to 8 days, but we will determine that when we submit it for review.

Other sizes

According to Oura, there have been many requests to accommodate more sizes.

In particular, younger women (e.g., teenagers) are showing interest in seeking wearables that focus on health. We also receive requests for larger sizes from stockier athletes.

That’s why Oura Ring 4 has an expanded size range. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

When I asked a representative at Oura which finger was the best place to put the Ring 4, they told me it was the index finger. Interestingly, my index finger is a size 7, two sizes larger than my ring finger.

When you purchase your Oura Ring 4 online, you’ll receive a free sizing kit so you can confidently choose the correct size.

Oura ring 4 in gold is amazing

Oura Ring 4’s predecessor, Oura Ring 3, came in two styles: Heritage and Horizon.

Now, Oura Ring 4 only Appearing in Horizon.

I’ve always joked that the Heritage reminds me of that ridged washer, while the Horizon offers a smooth, uninterrupted, rounded design.

Oura Ring 4 is available in four finishes.

• black

• stealth

• silver

• brushed silver

• rose gold

• gold

But it was the gold ring that captured my heart. I can imagine getting a lot of compliments when I wear this. In the meantime, don’t just have do not have I received compliments on my matte black Samsung Galaxy Ring, but my super honest best friend had the nerve to call it “ugly.”

New and updated apps

The Oura app has also received a major update and redesign. But what I’m most excited about is Oura Labs, where you’ll find the AI-powered Oura Advisor that works in conjunction with Oura’s health data.

Start a conversation with an Oura Advisor and it will provide advice and personal health goals based on what it understands about your data.

Oura Ring 4 is available for pre-order now and can be found at multiple retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and of course Oura’s main website.

Oura Ring 4 starts at $349 and comes with one month of free membership. However, once it expires, your membership will cost $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year.

Oura Ring 4 officially hits stores on October 15th.

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fitness tracker fitness tech