š© Pulse Points: Oura Ring 5 lands, Xiaomi wares go global, and 9 more updates
Catch up on this weekās key stories in the world of wearable tech
Welcome to this weekās edition of Pulse Points, where I round up the key news from the last seven days in wearable tech, fitness, and health.
Thereās a massive lineup of consumer launches to get through this weekāand, in classic fashion, I'm writing this weekās edition a bit in a rush traveling back from Ouraās London launch event.
Yes, Iāve seen the new Oura Ring 5 in the flesh. Itās easily the biggest news of the week, but Iām also holding off on the deep-dive analysis of what it means for the smart ring market until Iāve had some proper time to live with it on my finger.
But also, spoiler alert: it feels like a huge upgrade.
For now, here is your rapid-fire download of the latest launches, platform updates, and rumors shaping the wacky world of wearables this week.
Consumer Launches & Updates šļø
Oura Ring 5 arrives with a 40% size reduction
Oura has officially launched the Oura Ring 5, claiming the crown for the worldās slimmest smart ring. The hardware has undergone a massive design overhaul, shrinking its internal architecture by 40% compared to the Ring 4, measuring just 6.09mm wide and 2.28mm thick. Weighing 2-2.69g (depending on ring size), it maintains its week-long battery life while sporting an upgraded internal sensor setup with 12 signal pathways.
It starts at $/Ā£399 for standard finishes and $/Ā£499 for premium tiers, with shipping beginning on June 4th. Alongside the launch, Oura is introducing major software updates, including real-time workout tracking, research-backed Menopause Insights, and a clinical āLab Uploadsā feature. Read more >
Xiaomi Watch S5 goes global with a 21-day battery:
Following its domestic debut in March, the global edition of the Xiaomi Watch S5 has launched for ā¬179. The hardware is built around an 815 mAh batteryārepresenting a substantial 68% capacity leap over the S4āwhich Xiaomi claims can last up to 21 days on a single charge. Running HyperOS, the watch features a premium stainless-steel middle frame and a 1.48-inch AMOLED screen hitting 2,500 nits, and a quirky āPassion Modeā algorithm that translates physical cheering gestures like clapping or fist pumps into active training metrics. Read more >
Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Pro makes its global debut
Xiaomi also announced the global edition of its premium-tier fitness tracker, with the Smart Band 10 Pro officially launching in Europe for ā¬79.99. The tracker sports a high-brightness 1.74-inch AMOLED panel with a 2,000-nit peak and features a casing that is 12% lighter and 10% thinner than its predecessor. Notably, the Band 10 Pro introduces dual-device notification mirroring, allowing it to connect to both an iPhone and an Android device simultaneously.
Xreal launches xbx sub-brand and a01 glasses
Xreal has debuted sub-brand āxbxā, bringing its spatial entertainment wearables to a more budget-conscious demographic. The brandās first release is the xbx a01, a pair of lightweight AR glasses priced at $299, launching in the US this July. Weighing only 62g, the glasses project a 147-inch virtual display utilizing a 1600-nit dual-layer MicroOLED display with HDR10 support. Crucially, the a01 debuts an industry-first spatial anti-shake algorithm designed to keep your virtual screen locked in place during bumpy train or plane commutes. Read more >
Ultrahuman launches the Photon red-light therapy panel
Expanding its preventive health ecosystem, Ultrahuman has announced Photon, a $250 handheld red-light therapy panel that ships on July 15th. The device packs a 6,000 mAh battery and uses 12 dual-chip LEDs to output a simultaneous blend of 660nm visible red and 850nm near-infrared light. The real strategic play here is software: through an applet called the Photon Protocol, the panel syncs directly with the Ultrahuman ringās sleep and strain metrics to dynamically prescribe tailored recovery zones on your body. Read more >
Honor Watch 6 Plus drops in China with a 1,000 mAh battery
Honor has officially revealed its latest flagship, the Watch 6 Plus, boasting a wild 1,000 mAh battery cell inside its 10.8mm thick chassis. The massive capacity yields a claimed 35-day battery life in low-power Bluetooth mode, or roughly 17 days of standard usage. The watch also features a 3000-nit AMOLED screen, dual-frequency GPS with 42 hours of continuous runtime, and MagicOS health algorithms that monitor āHeart Rate Reductionā to predict sleep apnea and cardiovascular events. Itās only available in China for now, though. Read more >
Industry Updates & Research š
Samsung and MGH launch GLP-1 muscle-loss study
Partnering with the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Diabetes Research Center, Samsung has initiated a study to explore how smartwatches can help manage muscle loss associated with GLP-1 weight-loss medications such as Ozempic.
The study will track 100 adults over their treatment cycle, comparing a standard-care group with a group that tracks body composition natively on the Galaxy Watch 8. Researchers will validate the smartwatch readings against clinical-grade DXA scans, hoping to prove that wearable-driven feedback loops can help patients build habits that preserve lean muscle mass. Read more >
Strava and Runna push for a historic Global Running Day
On June 3rd, Strava is teaming up with its coaching platform, Runna, to coordinate a massive virtual challenge to break the record for the most 5k activities logged in a single day. The event is pitched as an accessible milestone for all fitness levels. As an incentive to participate, any user who completes and logs their 5k on Global Running Day will unlock two free weeks of Runnaās highly personalized training plans. Join the challenge here >
Garmin rolls out major software update for premium devices
Garmin has transitioned its latest beta build to stable production, pushing System Software 22.35 to the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Quatix 8. The firmware contains over 30 changes from the previous public build, rolling out 29 distinct bug fixes alongside new features such as an LTE toggle within active power modes, a dedicated golf performance glance, and read/delivered delivery receipts within the Garmin Messenger app. Read more >
Rumors & Whispers šµļøāāļø
Appleās AI āProject Mulberryā fitness coach is delayed
Appleās highly anticipated, camera-assisted AI health coach will reportedly not appear at WWDC on June 8th. According to Bloombergās Mark Gurman, the internal initiative has been pushed back and is now not expected to roll out until ālater in the iOS 27 update cycle.ā Instead, WWDC is expected to focus on a design overhaul for the Health app and upgraded native heart-rate tracking in watchOS 27. Read more >
FCC filing hints at Amazfit Helio Strap 2
Zepp Health has submitted documentation for model number A2671, a screenless Bluetooth Low Energy wearable sensor. Given previous roadmap statements, the regulatory listing is heavily believed to be the successor to the original Helio Strap, pointing toward a late-2026 launch window designed to take on Whoop and Googleās new Fitbit Air. Read more >