Instead of launching another generation of its successful health-tracking ring, Oura created a new variant without a metallic finish simply called the “Oura Ring 4 Ceramic.” As simple as the change is, it’s almost as exciting as a completely new ring.
Oura Rings have taken off in the last couple of years. As more competition arises from companies like Samsung and RingConn, Oura’s strengths become clear.
The Oura Ring 4 has a fantastic battery and exceptional app, to put it succinctly. It’s one of the only pieces of tech that I consistently wear because it doesn’t feel like a burden or that I need to make a trade-off.
The only significant difference between the Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is, as one would imagine, material. Ceramic replaces titanium used in the outer face of the wearable. It’s a well-known, naturally strong material, often used in more than just pottery or dishware. For instance, knife blades can come in ceramic because of extreme edge retention, though somewhat fragile in a thin structure.
I’ve been using the new health tracker since launch, and the seemingly small change from titanium to ceramic has made a massive difference. It almost feels like a completely new product.
To be clear, a new product from Oura would need to address longer battery life and come in thinner builds so it doesn’t feel like a fitness wearable. The Oura Ring 4 ceramic still has small drawbacks, but it still sits at the top of its class.
But material and color add a lot.
I’ve been using the Midnight variant, and my wife has the Petal Oura Ring 4 Ceramic. I’ve fallen in love with the blue version, especially because the darker tone matches my skin a little better. There are four options in total: Tide, Petal, Cloud, and Midnight. Tide and Cloud are a teal and white colorway, respectively. The rings come in a somewhat glossy finish, like a glazed piece of pottery.
One thing Oura promises with the ceramic models is scratch resistance. My rose gold titanium Oura Ring 4 held up well, but it didn’t stand up to everyday wear and tear like the ceramic version does. I haven’t been careful, and I can’t find a single scratch on the ring.
Oura also says the ceramic models take on colors from other materials more easily, as is normal for the natural material. That can be wiped off with a cleaning cloth, though I haven’t experienced this at all, yet.
The rings are also much more fingerprint-resistant than the metal versions. I always felt the need to wipe away fingerprints from the previous ring, but the new version doesn’t allow them to become so obvious. It’s a little improvement, but it’s not insignificant.
Overall, I’ve really enjoyed the new color options and material choice. It’s not quite as shiny as a buffed titanium, and it allows users to express themselves a little more. The company also added the ability to pair multiple rings, though I’m not sure many users are going to be switching rings out daily. They’re still as much as $499, which is as high as the Rose Gold and Gold colorways in titanium. With added durability and livelier colors, the ceramic model feels more premium in almost every way.
Still, Oura is one of the best wearable brands, I feel. The user experience is next-level compared to other health trackers. That makes it a great option for anyone, and even a good gift for others, as long as you know their ring size.
For a broader review of the Oura Ring 4, check out our initial breakdown.
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