Oura’s Next-Gen Smart Ring Could Feature a Swappable Battery, New Patent Suggests

Oura may be exploring a major upgrade to one of the biggest pain points in smart rings: battery lifespan. Newly surfaced patent illustrations suggest the company is considering a smart ring design with an interchangeable, user-replaceable battery module—potentially making the ring easier to maintain and far less wasteful over time.

In the concept shown in the drawings, the battery sits inside one half of the ring. That outer section can be removed and swapped when needed, allowing the ring to get a fresh power source without replacing the entire device. The design also appears to focus on quick, hassle-free battery changes. Small magnets in both the ring and the battery module help hold everything firmly in place, while metal contacts transfer power from the battery to the ring. That means no tiny plugs, no complicated steps, and no delicate components for users to struggle with.

If Oura ever brings this idea to market, it could be a meaningful shift for smart ring owners who want longer-lasting wearables with fewer headaches. A modular battery system would be a clear improvement over the current approach, where a ring with a failing battery is typically disposed of and replaced rather than repaired. For many consumers, a replaceable battery would also make a smart ring feel like a more durable, long-term investment—especially as interest in health tracking rings continues to grow.

That said, a patent doesn’t guarantee a product launch. There’s no confirmed timeline on whether Oura will release a smart ring with a replaceable battery, and early leaked renders of the Oura Ring 5 reportedly don’t show this modular battery design. For now, the concept remains a glimpse into what Oura may be considering for future generations.

Still, the idea is worth watching. If a replaceable battery smart ring becomes reality, it could set a new standard for repairability, sustainability, and everyday usability in the wearable tech space.