Oura Ring 5 vs Apple Watch Series 12: Health Trackers

Smart rings are challenging the dominance of fitness bands and smartwatches. The Oura Ring 5, starting around $400, goes directly against Apple's latest flagship, the Apple Watch Series 12. Engadget's comparison shows that platform support, workout intensity, and subscription costs will likely decide which one you should buy.

What they share

Both devices track sleep, steps, estimated calorie burn, heart rate, and heart rate variability. They also handle menstrual cycle tracking. Oura claims to go further with insights related to pregnancy and menopause. Each offers a Readiness score that synthesizes multiple factors to tell you whether to push hard or take it easy.

Where they diverge

The Apple Watch Series 12 has a touchscreen, available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with the larger model costing $50 extra. It packs 64GB of storage and Apple's S11 processor. That lets you handle Apple Pay, notifications, and even off-road navigation without pulling out your iPhone. Cellular models, starting at $500, can do some online tasks without Wi-Fi. The Oura Ring has no choice but to talk to your phone. You have to check your phone to see any data or change settings, and Engadget notes the company is discontinuing its web interface.

Platform support is a big split. Both sync with Apple Health, but only the Oura works with Android's Health Connect. That's because the Series 12 needs at least an iPhone 11 running iOS 27 or later. Android users should compare the Oura against Google's Pixel Watch 5 or Garmin alternatives, Engadget says.

Workout tracking and battery

The Series 12 is far better for workouts. You can launch most workouts yourself and see real-time stats on both phone and wrist, including running cadence and precise GPS location. The Oura mostly detects activities automatically, but it may not always register them accurately. You can manually start a workout, but you still need your phone for live data. Oura can only link GPS from your phone. Also, any smart ring is a poor choice for weightlifting, as the knurling on bars can grind down its finish.

Battery life is where the Oura shines. It can last six to nine days on a charge. The Apple Watch Series 12 realistically needs a daily charge, possibly twice if you want sleep tracking. That makes the Oura more convenient and reduces gaps in your health data.

"Any smart ring is a bad choice for weightlifters," Engadget notes.

Subscriptions

Engadget says the Oura Ring 5 technically works without a membership, but you lose access to basic features like 24/7 heart rate tracking, blood oxygen levels, and third-party app integration. That requires a $6 monthly or $70 yearly subscription. Apple provides similar features at no extra cost, since its goal is to pull you into its ecosystem.

The verdict

For iPhone owners who take fitness seriously or want a multipurpose wearable, the Series 12 is the better deal, according to Engadget. It does more without subscriptions and works well without your phone. Android users should pick the Oura by default. Otherwise, the Oura is a niche product for people who want an overall health picture and prefer a wearable that stays in the background. An Apple Watch is a constant companion that demands your attention, which may not suit everyone.

• Apple Watch Series 12
• health tracking
• Oura Ring 5
• smart ring
• smartwatch
• wearables