Fitness gear: Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Oura Ring Generation 4

Quick Verdict

The Apple Watch Series 11, with its expected smart features and potential health monitoring advancements, is a more versatile device for users seeking a comprehensive smartwatch experience. The Oura Ring Generation 4, however, excels in sleep tracking and offers a more discreet form factor, making it ideal for users primarily focused on sleep and recovery metrics. The choice depends on individual priorities and preferences.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to have more features, including a display, smart notifications, and potential 5G connectivity, while the Oura Ring Generation 4 focuses on sleep and activity tracking without a display.
The Oura Ring excels in sleep tracking accuracy and resting heart rate monitoring, while the Apple Watch's heart rate accuracy may decrease during high-intensity workouts.
The Apple Watch supports mobile payments via Apple Pay, while the Oura Ring currently does not, but may in the future.
The Oura Ring requires a monthly membership to access data, adding to the overall cost, while the Apple Watch does not have this requirement.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Apple Watch Series 11	Oura Ring Generation 4
Release Date	Expected in September 2025	Not available
Price	Expected to start at $399	Starts at $349. Prices vary between colors. A monthly membership of $5.99 is required to access the ring's data.
Chip	S11 chip	Not available
Connectivity	Rumored to have 5G support	Not available
Display	MicroLED display (potential)	Does not have a display screen.
Health Monitoring	Blood pressure sensor (rumored), AI-powered health coaching (potential)	Measures resting heart rate with 99.9% reliability compared to a medical-grade ECG. Measures heart rate variability with 98.4% reliability compared to a medical-grade ECG. Not very good for heart rate tracking during exercise.
Operating System	watchOS 12	Not available
Design	Likely similar to Series 10	All-titanium design with recessed sensors for improved comfort. Available in sizes 4-15. The ring's interior is now titanium rather than epoxy.
Battery Life	Potential improvements expected	Up to 8 days on a single charge.
Mobile Payment Support	Apple Pay	Does not currently offer mobile payment support. Oura acquired Proxy in 2023, suggesting that future Oura rings may include payment support.
Water Resistance	50 meters	Water-resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet). Suitable for swimming, showering, and snorkeling. Not recommended for scuba diving or keeping it submerged underwater for over 12 hours.
Smart Notifications	Customizable	Does not support phone notifications or calls.
GPS Accuracy	Not available	Does not have built-in GPS.
Activity Tracking Variety	Activity tracking can track various activities	Supports tracking of over 40 different types of activities. Automatic activity detection works by observing hand motion, activities with low hand motion like indoor cycling and yoga are more challenging for the ring to detect.

Overall Comparison

Apple Watch Series 11: Expected price starting at $399, potential MicroLED display, rumored blood pressure sensor. Oura Ring Generation 4: $349, 99.9% reliability in resting heart rate measurement compared to ECG, up to 8 days battery life.

Pros and Cons

Apple Watch Series 11

Pros:

Potential faster performance and greater efficiency with S11 chip
Possible 5G support
Potential MicroLED display for higher resolution and brightness
Rumored blood pressure sensor
Potential AI-powered health coaching
Customizable smart notifications
Water-resistant to 50 meters

Cons:

Sleep tracking may overestimate total sleep time
Heart rate monitoring accuracy can decrease with increasing intensity during exercise
Deep sleep detection may be inaccurate

Oura Ring Generation 4

Pros:

Accurate sleep tracking
Water-resistant
Comfortable design
Durable titanium build

Cons:

No built-in GPS
No display screen
No mobile payment support
No smart notifications
Monthly membership required
Scratches easily

User Experiences and Feedback

Apple Watch Series 11

What Users Love

Heart rate monitor is generally accurate at rest
Effective in identifying sleep-wake states
Water-resistant for swimming
Supports Apple Pay
Customizable smart notifications

Common Complaints

Heart rate monitoring accuracy can decrease during high-intensity workouts
May overestimate total sleep time
May confuse deep sleep for core sleep
Exposure to soaps, shampoos, and high-velocity water should be avoided

Value Perception

Activity tracking can track various activities
Low Power Mode can extend battery life

User Recommendations

Apple Watch's heart rate monitor was accurate to within 2.3 bpm in one study
87% of measurements were within 5bpm during exercise in another study
Apple Watch was about 62% accurate in detecting deep sleep

Oura Ring Generation 4

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.