Oura Ring 5 Release Date Rumors and Expected Features (UK 2026)

What is realistic about an Oura Ring 5 launch in 2026: timeline, likely features, what is rumour vs what Oura has actually said, and whether to wait or buy Ring 4 now.

Smart ring on a hand representing the Oura Ring product line
By Rob Griffiths6 June 2026 · 6 min read

'Should I wait for the Oura Ring 5?' is one of the most common questions in the UK smart-ring community in 2026. The honest answer is that Oura has not announced a Ring 5 and the timeline remains genuinely uncertain. This guide separates what Oura has actually said from rumour, sets a realistic expectation for the launch window, and answers whether waiting makes sense for your specific buying decision.

The TL;DR: if you want a smart ring in 2026, buy the Ring 4 now. Oura's subscription continues across hardware generations, so a Ring 4 purchase today is not a sunk cost when Ring 5 eventually arrives - many users skip generations rather than upgrade every cycle.

What has Oura actually said about Ring 5?

Almost nothing. Oura has not announced a Ring 5, has not confirmed a release window, has not previewed features, and did not include a Ring 5 reveal at CES 2026. The CEO has made general comments in 2025 interviews about 'continuing to advance the hardware' but nothing product-specific.

Oura's pattern historically: Ring 1 (2015), Ring 2 (2017), Ring 3 (2021), Ring 4 (late 2024). The gap between Ring 3 and Ring 4 was about 3 years, partly explained by COVID-era hardware delays. A 2-3 year cadence from Ring 4 puts Ring 5 in the late 2026 to mid 2027 window. There is no concrete confirmation of this.

What features can we reasonably expect?

Based on Oura's recent patent filings, public product direction, and competitive pressure - not on confirmed announcements - a plausible Ring 5 feature set:

  • Better temperature sensor. Oura's biggest user complaints about Ring 4 centre on temperature data sensitivity. Ring 5 is likely to address this with an upgraded sensor.
  • Longer battery life. Ring 4 gets 7-8 days; Ring 5 plausibly pushes to 10-12 days through better silicon efficiency. Not a transformative change.
  • More size and finish options. The Ring 4 line already added rose-gold; Ring 5 is likely to broaden the finish palette and possibly add a smaller-frame variant for petite finger sizes.
  • Improved app intelligence. Oura is heavily investing in AI-driven personalisation. Ring 5 is likely to ship with materially smarter daily commentary and longer-term trend interpretation.
  • Stronger menopause / cycle tools. Oura's women's-health depth is already class-leading; Ring 5 will extend it further given the strategic priority.

What is unlikely on Ring 5?

Three commonly-rumoured features that are unlikely to ship on Ring 5.

  • Continuous blood pressure sensing. Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 is heading this way for late 2026 but Oura has not committed publicly. The hardware is significantly different from Ring 4 and would require new sensor architecture. Possible eventually, not in Ring 5 confidently.
  • ECG / atrial fibrillation detection. Possible long-term but requires a ring-format ECG sensor, which is still research-tier. Apple Watch handles this on the wrist; ring-format ECG is harder.
  • Blood glucose tracking. Non-invasive glucose remains an unsolved problem. Ring 5 will not have it. Stay sceptical of any rumour that says otherwise.

Should you wait for Ring 5 instead of buying Ring 4 now?

Three honest answers based on your situation.

If you want a smart ring TODAY and Ring 4 covers your use case (cycle / menopause / sleep / recovery), buy Ring 4. The waiting cost (no data for 6-18 months) is real and Ring 4 is the best-in-class ring for the foreseeable future. When Ring 5 arrives, the upgrade is incremental rather than transformative - many Oura users skip every other generation.

If you specifically value continuous blood pressure tracking, do not wait for Ring 5 - it is unlikely to ship with BP. Look at Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 in H2 2026 instead, with the caveat that the Samsung will need independent accuracy verification.

If you can comfortably wait 6-12 months for whatever Oura announces next, waiting is reasonable but the upside is modest. Ring 5 will be better than Ring 4, but not transformatively so for the use cases the rings already serve well.

What about a Ring 5 trade-in programme?

Oura has not run a trade-in programme historically. Ring 3 to Ring 4 was a full-price replacement (no trade-in credit, no early-buyer discount). It is reasonable to expect the same for Ring 4 to Ring 5 - Oura's brand strategy treats hardware as a long-term purchase, not an annual upgrade.

Users who want to sell their Ring 4 when Ring 5 arrives can do so on the second-hand market (eBay, Facebook Marketplace), with typical resale value at 40-60% of original price for a 2-3 year old Ring 4. Buying-to-resell on a 2-year cycle is roughly a £100-£150 net cost over the cycle - not insignificant.

Frequently asked questions

Q01When does Oura usually announce new rings?
Oura does not use major industry events (CES, IFA) for product launches. Their pattern is dedicated announcement events on their own timeline, usually with 1-3 months lead time before retail availability. Watch the Oura blog and press releases rather than CES coverage.
Q02Will my Ring 4 still receive software updates after Ring 5 launches?
Yes, comfortably. Oura has historically supported Ring 3 with software updates for years after Ring 4 launched. Expect Ring 4 to receive feature updates and bug fixes for at least 3-4 years post-Ring-5 launch. Old hardware does not get the cutting-edge new features that depend on Ring 5's hardware, but the core experience stays current.
Q03Will the Ring 5 use the same finger sizes as Ring 4?
Almost certainly yes. Oura's sizing standard is consistent across generations. The sizing kit you already have for Ring 4 will work for Ring 5. New size options (e.g. smaller frames) may appear but the existing range remains.
Q04Should I avoid the Ring 4 because Ring 5 is coming?
No. Ring 5 launch is at least 6-12 months away based on Oura's historical pattern, and possibly further. The cost of waiting (no health data, no women's-health insights, no recovery tracking) is real. Buy Ring 4 now if you want a ring now; Ring 5 will be better when it arrives but not transformatively so.
Q05Will the Oura subscription change with Ring 5?
Unlikely to materially change. Oura's subscription model is core to their business and the £5.99 / month price point is consistent across hardware generations. Some new features may be subscription-tier additions but the base subscription should stay at the existing price.
Q06Could Apple buy Oura and turn it into the Apple Ring?
Speculation. No confirmed conversations have been reported. Apple has filed smart-ring patents but has not announced a product. If Apple did acquire Oura, the timeline to an integrated 'Apple Oura' product would be 2-3 years post-acquisition. Buying decisions for 2026 should ignore this possibility.