Whoop 5.0 vs 4.0: What’s actually new?

WHOOP 5.0 is finally official, and it brings fresh hardware and software updates. The bigger shift, however, is in the business model. You now have to choose between three subscription tiers, each unlocking a different set of features. The top tier includes blood pressure and ECG tracking.

Let’s break it down.

Three tiers, three experiences

WHOOP 5.0 keeps the general shape and style from the previous version, but its 7% smaller and a bit lighter. Improvements include a better accelerometer and gyroscope. The steps should have enhanced accuracy and there’s a slimmer wireless pack that is water-proof.

But it’s clear the company is now targeting different types of users by splitting the offering into three plans: One, Peak, and Life. The highlight here is that battery life has now stretched to a healthy 14 days. That’s a solid improvement over the 3 to 4 days I get on my WHOOP 4.0.

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The subscription level you choose determines what features you actually receive. WHOOP One offers the basics like sleep, recovery, and strain tracking. Peak adds a few extras such as Healthspan with Pace of Ageing. Life unlocks the full suite, including ECG functionality, blood pressure insights, irregular heart rhythm notifications. These are new features and suggest WHOOP is inching further into the general health territory.

It’s worth noting, the ECG/Afib insights are on-demand. However the blood pressure measurements are automatic after the one-time baseline reading. Apparently Whoop Life captures thousands of biometric data posts while you sleep to estimate your daily systolic and diastolic ranges.

Current users land in the middle

If you’re already a WHOOP member using the 4.0, you can upgrade to the 5.0 Peak plan for a one-time fee of $59. That includes all the features you had before, plus you get access to Healthspan with Pace of Ageing. But ECG, blood pressure insights, and irregular rhythm notifications are held back for Life subscribers.

This makes the Peak tier a kind of middle ground – and it may be enough for most people. WHOOP still avoids a screen, still tracks loads of data in the background, and still encourages you to optimise around your recovery.

WHOOP One is the new entry tier. Which makes sense – a cheaper subscription for the folks who want to experience what all the fuss is about.

There’s also an ecosystem shift happening. WHOOP 4.0 bands won’t fit the new device. That’s a key detail. So if you’ve got a collection of straps from the previous generation, they won’t come along for the ride.

A solid upgrade

WHOOP 5.0 delivers plenty of under-the-hood improvements. Sensor data is richer and you get some useful new health metrics. Plus battery life more than doubles compared to the 4.0. No more charging every couple of days. There is an improved haptic alarm, the design stays minimal, and the app continues to be one of the most refined platforms out there.

But there’s still no onboard GPS. That might not matter to WHOOP’s target user who’s already wearing a Garmin or Apple Watch on the other wrist. Still, it’s a detail worth noting. For users who value precise distance tracking or route maps, that missing piece could sting a little.

The price structure is also worth a look. WHOOP One starts at $199 on the company’s website, Peak goes for $239, and Life tops out at $359. Those are yearly subscription costs. As before, the hardware is free. For those holding on to a 4.0 device, they can hold on to the device or transfer over to a 5.0 for the one-time $59 fee. Once they extend their membership, they will get a 5.0 free of charge.

So what are we to make of all of this?

Well, its clear that WHOOP 5.0 is a refinement. You now decide how much you want to spend, and how much data you want in return. For current WHOOP 4.0 users, the jump to Peak is smooth. But the decision to go all-in with Life will depend on how much value you place on features like ECG and blood pressure trends.

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