ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Oura Ring 4 customers report shorter battery life.
- The claims come a yr after its debut.
- Oura appears to be shortly responding to this concern.
When Oura unveiled its fourth-generation sensible ring final October, its eight-day battery life was a serious draw for these upgrading from the Oura Ring 3. However a yr after its launch, it looks as if that eight-day battery declare is weakening.
Reddit customers on the r/ouraring discussion board report that their sensible rings aren’t holding a cost, solely lasting a couple of days earlier than dying. Others say that the battery is totally shot and unrevivable.
“I went from in all probability a 5 day cost cycle to seemingly each different day,” one Reddit user wrote.
Additionally: Oura Ring 3 vs Oura Ring 4: Opt for the older, discounted smart ring or the newest?
I’ve additionally had my Oura Ring 4 for round a yr and have seen the sensible ring averages round two to a few days earlier than needing to be recharged. These battery shortages are coupled with extra frequent battery notifications launched in latest updates. The app now tells customers when their sensible ring will run out. I’ve seen my battery proportion hit slightly over 50%, prompting the battery button to show orange and signaling me to cost the system.
“The factor will actually be at like 20% and ship me a ‘critically low battery’ notification prefer it’s about to flatline lmao. In the meantime I am getting one other full time out of it straightforward,” another user writes.
Oura’s weakening battery and the newer battery notifications that urge customers to cost the system extra ceaselessly could possibly be the rationale battery life is the recent matter du jour on Oura’s Reddit.
Additionally: This smart ring is half the price of the Oura Ring 4 – here’s what to know
In an e mail to ZDNET, Oura addressed the rationale behind the reported battery life points, explaining that the sensible rings use lithium-ion batteries, which chemically age over time to cut back most battery capability. Efficiency varies relying on the sensible ring’s age, utilization, function settings, and charging habits, an Oura spokesperson mentioned.
“We’re persevering with to make enhancements in our software program and options to assist cut back battery getting old. Most members proceed to expertise between 5-8 days of battery life, as anticipated. We encourage members to contact buyer help, the place we deal with points on a case-by-case foundation, troubleshooting and changing rings as wanted,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Once I initially reviewed the sensible ring final yr, I discussed how its eight-day battery life claims did not stay as much as the truth of normal utilization. Throughout the first few weeks of testing, I bought round 4 to 5 days out of the ring earlier than needing to recharge. I’ve a dimension 6 ring, which is among the smaller ones. So my battery life could possibly be shorter than bigger sizes with bigger battery capability.
Tips on how to get assist from Oura
The excellent news is the corporate is pretty responsive and has messaged Reddit posters immediately to handle the problem. Plus, those that contact Oura about these battery issues obtain a free alternative.
ZDNET’s Aly Windsor messaged Oura concerning the concern, and buyer help instantly permitted her alternative request. As soon as the digital buyer help assistant detected a difficulty with Windsor’s battery, it kick-started a free alternative. One person mentioned the alternative course of took “less than five minutes.”
A scroll by Oura’s Reddit reveals this to be the everyday expertise of ring customers with weakened battery life. Oura has a social care team member sifting by these complaints on Reddit to information customers to buyer help and repair these points.
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