Tag: sleep tracking

  • Oura Ring 5: 40% Smaller Body, Up to 9 Days Battery Life

    Oura Ring 5: 40% Smaller Body, Up to 9 Days Battery Life

    Key Takeaway

    – Higher comfort and durability: 2.28 mm thickness, up to 40% more compact, made of titanium, water-resistant to 100 meters.
    – Longer battery life and improved sensors: 6–9 days; heart rate accuracy ~99%, sleep detection ~95%.
    – 50+ health metrics with advanced tracking: sleep phases, workouts, active calories, daily form, personalized goals, skin temperature, cycle and stress tracking, cardiovascular age.
    – New features via software in Ring 5 (also available on Ring 3/4) with pre-orders starting; multiple color/finish options and price tiers.
    – Subscription required for most features: $5.99/mo or $69.99/yr.

    Oura Ring 5 Overview

    The Oura Ring 5 replaces the Oura Ring 4 ($349 on Amazon) and, with a thickness of 2.28 millimetres, is up to 40 percent more compact than its predecessor, making it even more comfortable to wear. The battery life is increased to six to nine days and the sensors are said to work even more precisely.

    Performance and Build

    According to Oura, the heart rate sensor detects the pulse with 99 percent accuracy, while sleep should be detected with 95 percent precision. The Oura Ring 5 is made of titanium and is water-resistant to a depth of 100 meters, so it can also be worn for swimming. The basic functionality does not change, because while Oura introduces new software features, these are also available on the Oura Ring 3 and 4.

    Health Metrics and Tracking

    The Oura Ring 5 provides over 50 health metrics. The Smart Ring is capable of sleep phase tracking and can provide bedtime recommendations. The ring automatically recognizes workouts from cycling to basketball, measures the active calories burned, evaluates daily form and creates personalized activity goals. In combination with the integrated skin temperature sensor, cycle and stress tracking as well as an assessment of cardiovascular age are also possible.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Oura Ring 5 can now be pre-ordered at the manufacturer’s online store. The version in black or silver with a glossy finish costs $399, while matt black, brushed silver, gold and rose gold each cost $499. A subscription is required to use most of the features, which costs $5.99 per month or $69.99 per year.

     


    Sources

    Tags: , , , ,
  • Oura Ring 5: Price Up, Four Major Upgrades Revealed

    Oura Ring 5: Price Up, Four Major Upgrades Revealed

    Key Takeaway

    – Oura Ring 5 officially unveiled May 28 with deliveries starting June 4; price options: $399/€429 (silver/black) and $499/€529 (brushed silver, matte black, gold, rose gold).
    – Thinner body for improved comfort, but with larger sensors for more precise HR, SpO2, and skin temperature measurements.
    – Tracks over 50 health metrics with 40+ third-party app integrations (e.g., Strava) and improved Oura Advisor for personalized recommendations. Battery life 5–7 days.

    According to the latest information from Dealabs the Oura Ring 5 will be officially unveiled on Thursday, May 28, with deliveries scheduled to begin on June 4. The version in silver or black will be available for $399 or €429, a price increase of $50 or €30 compared to the Oura Ring 4 ($349 on Amazon).

    Pricing and early details

    The Oura Ring 5 in brushed silver, matte black, gold or rose gold is said to cost $499 or €529. Oura is said to justify the higher entry-level price with a series of upgrades, starting with a thinner body that is intended to improve wearing comfort. Despite its more compact dimensions, Oura is said to incorporate larger sensors, which should enable more precise measurement of heart rate, blood oxygen saturation and skin temperature.

    Specs and capabilities

    The Oura Ring 5 is said to track over 50 health metrics in total, including sleep, stress, activity and female cycle. Oura integrates over 40 third-party apps, allowing the collected data to be synchronized with Strava, for example. The battery life is said to increase from five to seven days. The most significant innovation, however, is the improved Oura Advisor, an artificial intelligence that evaluates the collected data to give users personalized recommendations to improve their sleep or fitness, for example.

    Sources
    Tags: , , , ,
  • Amazfit Helio Strap Update Enhances Sleep Tracking Features

    Amazfit Helio Strap Update Enhances Sleep Tracking Features

    Key Takeaway

    1. The firmware update improves sleep tracking accuracy and optimizes Pickleball Mode metrics.
    2. Some users report issues with sleep detection, especially during still periods like naps.
    3. Post-update, HRV measurements may lower below 20 ms and BioCharge scores tend to decrease.
    4. The update also addresses minor bugs and enhances overall system stability.

    New Firmware Update for the Amazfit Helio Strap

    So, a fresh update is finally coming for the Amazfit Helio Strap. The new firmware version 3.13.0.1 is launching just about a month after the previous one, 3.11.0.1, which was aimed to sharpen the sleep recognition feature of the device. Many users are excited because this update promises better sleep detection and overall improvements.

    Improved Sleep Tracking and Additional Modes

    The official notes for this firmware state that there are possible improvements to how accurately it detects sleep, making tracking more reliable. But, dont get your hopes too high, some peoples report that naps still can be missed or misinterpreted especially when they are just sitting still for a while. Besides sleep, there’s also an update for the Pickleball Mode, adding more stats like Forehand and Backhand Stroke Count, which is a pretty cool feature for sport lovers.

    Reported Issues and System Stability

    After installing the update, some users have found that the HRV, or heart rate variability measurement, can fall below 20 ms. it seems like BioCharge scores are also generally getting lower, which some might see as a downside. Nevertheless, Amazfit claims that they have fixed some small bugs and enhanced the system stability, so overall, the updates should make the device more reliable.

    Rolling Out & Availability

    Firmware version 3.13.0.1 isn’t available to everyone all at once. Its being rolled out gradually across different regions, and it might take some time before you see it in your country. When it does arrive, you can update your Helio Strap through the Zepp app on your phone, making the process simple and quick.

    Sources
    Tags: , , , ,
  • Oura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging Case

    Oura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging Case

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Oura Ring 4 introduces a new ceramic casing option with vibrant color choices: blue, white, pink, and green.
    2. The ceramic version is heavier than the titanium version, weighing between 5.1 and 8.1 grams compared to 3.3 to 5.2 grams, but retains a titanium interior.
    3. It maintains water resistance up to 100 meters and features a battery life of five to eight days, along with health and fitness sensors.
    4. The accompanying app allows users to track sleep, fitness, heart health, and stress levels, but requires a $5.99 monthly subscription for full access.
    5. An optional portable charging case can recharge the ring up to five times and is expected to retail for around $99, while the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is priced at $499.

    The Oura Ring 4 has expanded its offerings by introducing a new ceramic casing option, which was not available before. This new variant is designed to provide a rich luster and bright color options, with the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic coming in shades of blue, white, pink, or green.

    Weight Changes with New Material

    Interestingly, this new ceramic material actually makes the ring heavier. The Oura Ring 4 Ceramic weighs between 5.1 and 8.1 grams, depending on the ring size, compared to the titanium version, which weighs 3.3 to 5.2 grams. The inside of the ring continues to use titanium, and it remains water-resistant up to 100 meters. All features are the same as before: Oura claims the device has a battery life of five to eight days and includes sensors for heart rate, SpO2, and skin temperature, along with an accelerometer for movement tracking.

    App Integration for Fitness and Health

    When paired with the accompanying smartphone app, the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic allows users to monitor sleep and fitness. It can automatically detect activities like cycling and running. The ring also provides valuable insights on stress levels, heart health, women’s menstrual cycles, and daily fitness activities. However, to access all features, users must subscribe, which costs $5.99 each month.

    Convenient Charging Case

    Another new addition is the optional charging case, which is very portable, measuring 5.6 x 5.5 x 1.7 centimeters, and weighs just 60 grams. This case can fully recharge the Oura Ring 4 up to five times, making it much simpler to charge the device during extended trips without the need to carry around the larger charging station.

    The Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is now available for $499 at the official online store. In contrast, the titanium version in silver or black is listed for $349 on Amazon, while the gold version also retails for $499. The new charging case is expected to be released later this year, priced around $99.

    Source:
    Link

    Oura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging CaseOura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging CaseOura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging CaseOura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging CaseOura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging CaseOura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging CaseOura Ring 4 Ceramic: Colorful Smart Ring with Charging Case

     

    Tags: ,
  • Apple Watch Ultra 2 Outperforms Garmin, Whoop, and Samsung Sensors

    Apple Watch Ultra 2 Outperforms Garmin, Whoop, and Samsung Sensors

    Key Takeaways

    1. The heart rate sensor of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is highly accurate, showing minimal deviation from the Polar H10 chest strap during indoor and outdoor activities, outperforming many competitors.

    2. During outdoor activities, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 maintained strong heart rate tracking, while competitors like Garmin and Whoop had significantly higher deviations.

    3. The sleep tracking feature of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 demonstrated approximately 73% accuracy for REM and deep sleep, and 86.5% for light sleep, slightly outperforming the Oura Gen 4 Smart Ring.

    4. The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s sleep tracking accuracy is better than that of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Whoop 4.0, and Garmin Fenix 7, though results are based on limited testing.

    5. Despite its strong performance, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 may struggle with heart rate detection during weightlifting due to wrist tension, suggesting a dedicated chest strap is still recommended for such activities.

    Rob ter Horst, a researcher focused on bioinformatics and the creator of the YouTube channel The Quantified Scientist, has evaluated the sensors of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (starting at $799 on Amazon) while utilizing the latest beta version of watchOS 26. He conducted comparisons with a variety of other smartwatches to see if users can depend on the information provided by Apple’s top smartwatch.

    Heart Rate Sensor Evaluation

    To start, the heart rate sensor was examined. During an indoor running session, it gathered data that was almost identical to that from the reference device, which was a Polar H10 chest strap in this instance. Although there were slight differences, they were minor and thus rather unimportant in practice. This positions the Apple Watch Ultra 2 alongside the leading smartwatches, like the Huawei Watch 5. For context, the Whoop MG showed a deviation of around 6% from the reference device, and the Garmin Forerunner 570 deviated by roughly 7%. Meanwhile, the Garmin Fenix 7 was off by 9%, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 only deviated by 3%.

    Performance During Outdoor Activities

    When it came to outdoor runs and cycling, the heart rate sensor of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 also provided data that was nearly on par with the reference device, widening the gap between it and its competitors. The cycling data from the Garmin Forerunner 570 deviated by 12%, and the Whoop MG’s deviation rose to over 15%. Nevertheless, it’s important to highlight that a dedicated heart rate chest strap remains a valuable investment for weightlifters, as the Apple Watch Ultra 2, like many other smartwatches, struggles to detect heart rate when there is excessive tension on the wrist.

    Sleep Tracking Analysis

    Besides the heart rate sensor, Rob ter Horst also evaluated the sleep tracking feature of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The reference device used was a Hypnodyne ZMax, which captures brain waves through EEG and claims to record sleep phases with 72% accuracy, based on studies. In comparison, polysomnography (PSG) used in sleep labs has an accuracy of about 83%. Against the ZMax, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 demonstrated an accuracy of approximately 73% for REM and deep sleep, and an impressive 86.5% for light sleep.

    This result is outstanding when compared to its rivals and even slightly outperforms the Oura Gen 4 Smart Ring. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Whoop 4.0, and Garmin Fenix 7 showed notably lower accuracy in this area. However, it’s worth mentioning that this test and comparison only involved one unit of each wearable and a single participant. Due to the limited sample size, the findings are only moderately indicative of the overall performance and accuracy of these devices.

    Source:
    Link

    Apple Watch Ultra 2 Outperforms Garmin, Whoop, and Samsung Sensors

     

    Tags: , ,
  • Garmin Index Sleep Monitor: Latest Updates on Upcoming Wearable

    Garmin Index Sleep Monitor: Latest Updates on Upcoming Wearable

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Garmin Index Sleep Monitor is a new sleep tracking device designed to compete with the Whoop 5.0.
    2. It features a comfortable and adjustable Velcro strap, an optical sensor for tracking, and a battery life of about one week on a single charge.
    3. The device will monitor sleep stages, duration, heart rate, SpO2 levels, skin temperature, and provide a Body Battery score.
    4. It is expected to come in two sizes (S-M and L-XL) and be priced around €170, with a potential launch before August.
    5. Garmin has not officially confirmed the product, and it may offer fewer features compared to existing Garmin devices and the Whoop 5.0.

    More information about Garmin’s new sleep tracking device has come to light. This device, reportedly named the Index Sleep Monitor, was first mentioned in May 2025 as a potential rival to the Whoop 5.0, which currently retails for $199 on Amazon.

    Device Specifications

    A recent article by Fitness Tracker Test appears to confirm the name ‘Index Sleep Monitor’ and provides additional insights. It was previously believed that this device is meant for the upper arm, and now we know it will feature a Velcro strap that is both comfortable and adjustable. The wearable will utilize an optical sensor, likely the Garmin Elevate Gen 5 sensor, tucked away in a pocket on the strap. An LED light next to the sensor may be there to show the battery level; it is anticipated that the device can track sleep for roughly one week on a single charge. In addition, a built-in vibration module is designed to wake the user gently, and tap gestures will be supported.

    Features and Functions

    The Garmin Index Sleep Monitor is anticipated to include functionalities such as monitoring sleep stages and duration, along with an overall sleep score. It might also track heart rate, SpO2 levels, and skin temperature, providing users with a Body Battery score. These features already exist in other Garmin devices like the Venu 3 smartwatch. Therefore, it’s not clear why Garmin expects consumers to prefer this sleep-specific wearable over their existing options. Moreover, it seems to offer fewer features compared to the Whoop 5.0, which includes fitness tracking capabilities.

    Availability and Pricing

    Newly released details indicate that the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor will come in two sizes, S-M and L-XL, priced at approximately €170. It is projected to be launched before August, although Garmin has not yet officially recognized this product. The sources for the report from Fitness Tracker Test remain unnamed.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , ,
  • Gentler Streak App Update: New Sleep Tracking Feature Added

    Gentler Streak App Update: New Sleep Tracking Feature Added

    A fresh update for the Gentler Streak app on iOS is now ready for downloading. This wellness application assist users in monitoring their health, sleep, and exercise while emphasizing sustainable lifestyle habits. The app works seamlessly with Apple Health and, true to its name, encourages you to take rest days for better self-care. It has received positive feedback and was awarded the Apple Design Award 2024 for its Social Impact.

    New Features in Version 5.0.5

    The latest version, 5.0.5, introduces enhancements to the newly added sleep section that was introduced in version 5.0.0 about a month ago. Users can now monitor their sleep health, observing trends over a span of up to two weeks. The recent update allows you to record naps with the addition of an Unspecified sleep stage. This new category acts as a fifth type of sleep, alongside the already existing REM, Deep Sleep, Core, and Awake stages. This effectively means that the time you spend napping or dozing off now contributes towards your sleep target and is included in your sleep analysis.

    Subscription Details and Compatibility

    It’s important to highlight that while Gentler Streak can be downloaded for free, accessing more advanced features requires a Gentler Streak Premium subscription. For instance, while all users can receive daily sleep analysis and insights, only those with a Premium subscription can access the previous night’s data and Sleep-Overview charts. A monthly subscription costs $7.99/£7.99/€7.99. The app is compatible with a range of devices, including various models of the iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Apple Watch, such as the Apple Watch Series 10 46mm, which is currently available for $359 on Amazon.

    Source: Link,Link,Link

    Image 1
    Tags: ,