Oura Ring 4: bringing AI to your finger
Is adding AI to a smart ring a game changing move?
Oura has broken its three-year silence with an exciting announcement: the Oura Ring 4. This latest smart ring doesn't just refine the familiar formula—it introduces artificial intelligence to the world of wearable tech.
While smart rings have traditionally occupied a small corner of the wearables market, Samsung's recent Galaxy Ring announcement has thrust these devices into the spotlight. The timing couldn't be better for Oura's AI-powered comeback.
AI-Powered health tracking
The Oura Ring 4's companion app now features two groundbreaking AI innovations:
- Smart Meal Tracking: Simply snap a photo of your meal with your phone, and the app identifies the food items and adds them to your daily timeline. Instead of focusing on calorie counting, this feature emphasizes understanding your overall eating patterns.
- Personal Health Assistant: The new "Oura Advisor" uses AI to transform your health data into actionable insights. Set your health goals, and the assistant provides tailored guidance based on your ring's measurements.
Unlike basic smart rings that only track sleep and heart rate, the Oura Ring 4 automatically recognizes over 40 different activities—no manual input required. This puts it leagues ahead of competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Ring in terms of functionality.
Premium design meets comfort
The Ring 4's design sets new standards for smart jewelry:
- Full titanium construction instead of the typical metal-and-resin combination
- New "Smart Sensing" design eliminates protruding sensors
- Smoother inner surface reduces skin irritation
- More comfortable for long-term wear
Battery and Price
Battery performance has seen a dramatic improvement:
- 8 days of regular use (doubled from previous model)
- 6.5 days with continuous blood oxygen monitoring
- Full week of tracking without charging anxiety
Price and Value Proposition：
- Ring price: $349
- Includes one-month trial subscription
- Monthly subscription: $5.99 for advanced features
The bottom line
The Oura Ring 4 offers an elegant alternative to chunky smartwatches and fitness bands. Its AI features and comprehensive health tracking make it a compelling choice for health-conscious tech enthusiasts. While the subscription fee might give some pause, the device's comfort, extended battery life, and rich data insights make it a strong contender in the wearables market.
Is the combination of cutting-edge AI and discrete health tracking worth $350 to you? The answer might depend on how much you value invisible wellness monitoring in your daily life.