# Oura Ring 4 vs. Oura Ring Gen 3: Main Distinctions and Which One to Opt For
The Oura Ring has gained popularity among health-conscious consumers looking to monitor their wellness without the bulkiness of conventional wearables. With the arrival of the **Oura Ring 4**, many are curious about how it stacks up against its earlier version, the **Oura Ring Gen 3**. This article will outline the primary differences between both models, helping you determine whether to upgrade or remain with the Gen 3.
## Design: Elegant and Sturdy
At first sight, the **Oura Ring 4** and **Oura Ring Gen 3** appear quite similar, particularly since the Oura Ring 4 features the fully circular Horizon design first introduced with Gen 3. Nonetheless, there are some significant design variations:
– **Materials**: The Oura Ring 4 features an **entirely titanium construction**, which boosts durability. On the other hand, the Gen 3 consists of a **titanium surface** paired with an **epoxy interior**. The all-titanium framework of the Oura Ring 4 is predicted to enhance comfort and lifespan.
– **Sensor Placement**: A major upgrade of the Oura Ring 4 is its **flush sensor configuration**. The Gen 3 has three protruding bumps for sensor placement, which some users found uncomfortable. The flush sensors in the Oura Ring 4 are designed to provide greater comfort during prolonged wear.
– **Size and Weight**: The Oura Ring 4 is offered in **more sizes** (4-15) compared to the Gen 3 (6-13). Moreover, the Oura Ring 4 is slightly lighter, weighing between **3.3g and 5.2g** based on size, while the Gen 3 weighs between **4g and 6g**.
– **Color Options**: The Oura Ring 4 provides six color choices, including **Black, Brushed Silver, Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, and Stealth**. While the Gen 3 also has a range of colors, the most expensive shades of the Oura Ring 4 are **$50 less** than the highest-priced Gen 3 models.
### Verdict:
The Oura Ring 4 excels in terms of **comfort** and **durability**, owing to its all-titanium construction and flush sensors. If comfort is your main concern, the Oura Ring 4 is the superior option.
## Battery Life: Minor Enhancement
Battery longevity is a crucial aspect of any wearable, and both the Oura Ring 4 and Gen 3 present impressive endurance. Nevertheless, the Oura Ring 4 slightly surpasses the Gen 3:
– **Oura Ring 4**: Up to **8 days** of battery life.
– **Oura Ring Gen 3**: Up to **7 days** of battery life.
Both devices require roughly **80 minutes** for a full charge, indicating no considerable difference in charging duration.
### Verdict:
Although the Oura Ring 4 provides a slightly longer battery life, the difference is minimal. However, if every additional day of battery life is essential to you, the Oura Ring 4 is the preferred choice.
## Health Tracking: More Intelligent and Accurate
Both the Oura Ring 4 and Gen 3 are equipped with health-tracking functionalities such as heart rate monitoring, SpO2 (blood oxygen levels), heart rate variability (HRV), and temperature tracking. However, the Oura Ring 4 brings several notable advancements:
– **Smart Sensing Technology**: The Oura Ring 4 incorporates **Smart Sensing technology**, which optimizes signal pathways for enhanced accuracy. This feature allows the ring to cater to a variety of finger anatomies, improving precision among different genders, skin tones, and age ranges. Oura asserts that the Oura Ring 4 is **30% more precise** in measuring blood oxygen levels in comparison to the Gen 3.
– **Automatic Activity Detection (AAD)**: Both models support AAD, but the Oura Ring 4 elevates it by integrating **heart rate information** during activities it detects automatically. This provides users with richer details regarding their workouts, including heart rate graphs, average heart rate, and heart rate zones.
– **Temperature Sensors**: The Oura Ring 4 is equipped with a **digital temperature sensor**, whereas the Gen 3 utilizes an **NTC sensor** for nighttime temperature monitoring. The digital sensor in the Oura Ring 4 is anticipated to deliver more accurate readings.
### Verdict:
The Oura Ring 4 clearly stands out in terms of **health tracking** due to its enhanced accuracy and improved automatic activity detection. If you take precision in health data seriously, the Oura Ring 4 is the optimal choice.
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