Latest news with #Whoop4.0
Engadget
23-05-2025
- Engadget
One of Whoop's new wearables has a bug so bad the company is issuing replacements
Whoop's new screen-less, fitness-focused Whoop MG wearable might have a major bug that can leave the device unusable, according to reports from Android Police and TechIssuesToday . Whoop launched the Whoop MG and Whoop 5.0 at the beginning of May, the company's first major hardware release since it launched the Whoop 4.0 in 2021. According to complaints on Whoop's community forums and X, after setting up a Whoop MG, the wearable can mysteriously became unresponsive hours later, refusing to connect to a smartphone even when it should be charged. "I wore it for about 20 hours or so, but then it suddenly disappeared from the app, no sensor lights on, nothing appearing in the app," one new Whoop MG owner shared on Reddit. On the company's forums, Whoop suggests trying things like charging the MG, reconnecting it to your phone or resetting the wearable to see if that fixes things. Whoop owners have also been directed to contact Whoop's Support team, and multiple faulty Whoop MG owners report that they're being sent replacement wearables. Engadget has contacted Whoop to get a sense for how widespread this issue is and what the company is doing to address it. We'll update this article if we hear back. Unlike other companies, Whoop doesn't expect customers to buy a fitness tracker and then pay a subscription; Whoop's subscription fee is inclusive of its hardware. With the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG, the company is also hoping to expand the number of metrics it tracks beyond just activity and sleep tracking to things like real-time stress monitoring and, in the case of the MG, blood pressure and ECG readings. What features you're able to access ultimately depends on both the wearable you have and the subscription you're paying for, though. To access the Whoop MG in particular, you have to pay $359 annually, which starts to feel pretty egregious when the wearable might not work. Prior to this issue, Whoop was also caught denying free hardware upgrades to existing customers after previously suggesting it would send out new wearables to anyone who'd been a member for six months or more. Whoop reversed that decision a few days later.
Tom's Guide
23-05-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Whoop 5.0 review — should you give a Whoop about this new tracker?
Should you give a Whoop about the two new Whoop devices on the block — the Whoop 5.0 and the Whoop MG — and should you upgrade from your Whoop 4.0? If you're new here, Whoop makes the discreet fitness trackers you've probably seen strapped to the wrist or upper arm of some of your favorite athletes. They look like a band of material and don't have a screen, but give you tons of health data. Size: 34.7 mm x 24 mm x 10.6 mmWeight: 26.5gWaterproof: Up to 10mBattery life: 14+ daysCharging time: 152 minutes (Basic), 110 minutes (PowerPack) Yet buying a Whoop is no longer a matter of deciding between the Whoop 5.0 or Whoop MG (MG stands for medical grade, as the tracker can give you medical-grade ECG readings). There are three different membership tiers to choose from, and the different tiers relate to the features loaded onto the device. After reviewing the Whoop MG, I'd say for most people, it's best to opt for the Whoop 5.0 with the mid-tier 'Peak' membership. Read my Whoop 5.0 review below to find out more, and see the key differences between the devices and membership tiers, and how it stacks up to the best fitness trackers. Confused by the new membership options? Let's dive into it. Whoop One ( $199/£169 per year) This is the most affordable option if you want to subscribe to Whoop. If you choose the Whoop One membership, you'll get the Whoop 5.0 tracker with the basic charger and CoreKnit band, as well as access to the foundational Whoop experience. This includes Sleep, Strain, Recovery, core activity tracking including steps, VO2 max data, and Women's Hormonal Insights. You won't get stress monitoring or the new Healthspan feature. Whoop Peak ($239/£229 per year) This is the mid-tier option, and the option we'd recommend to most people. You'll get the Whoop 5.0 tracker with the SuperKnit band, along with a wireless charger, and everything in the 'One' membership, but also Healthspan (this is Whoop's new feature with 'Whoop Age' and 'Pace of Aging'), the Health Monitor, and the Stress Monitor. Whoop Life ($359/£349) This top-tier plan comes with the Whoop MG device and SuperKnit Luxe band. You'll get all of the features from the 'Peak' membership, as well as blood pressure and ECG readings. The devices are available for order now. There's also a number of different strap options to choose from, including a SportFlex, fast-drying elastic band, a LeatherLuxe band (which isn't water or sweat resistant), and a CoreKnit Bicep band for those who prefer to wear their Whoop on the upper arm. Whoop 4.0 bands are not compatible. Both the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG are compatible with Whoop Body apparel. The Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG are virtually identical, and look very similar to the Whoop 4.0, but they are both 7% smaller and thinner. For this review, I tested the Whoop MG and found the discreet tracker was comfortable to wear, and sat flush against my wrist. My only complaint, as with all fitness trackers with a material band, is that it felt soggy against my wrist when getting out the pool, but this isn't too much of an issue, and not one that can be directed at Whoop alone. The only difference between the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG in terms of design is that the latter has the ECG functionalities built into the clasp — to do an ECG reading, you place the fingers of your opposite hand against the indent. The Whoop 5.0 does not have these. I've been impressed with the Whoop MG battery life — Whoop promises two weeks of wear between charges and I'd say that's about right. I've been wearing my band for two weeks for this review, and am still on 27%. This is a huge upgrade from the Whoop 4.0, which lasted around five days between charges. When talking about battery life, it's worth highlighting that the different memberships affect which charger you receive — only the Peak and Life membership options come with Whoop's wireless charger, which in my opinion, is one of the best things Whoop has invented (seriously, Apple, take notes.) The wireless charger slots neatly over the Whoop clasp, allowing you to charge on the move (just note, it's not waterproof, so don't shower or do the washing up while wearing it.) Like most trackers, the Whoop is designed to be worn 24/7 for accurate health monitoring, and this clever device means you won't take your Whoop off to charge and forget to put it back on. If you're upgrading from a Whoop 4.0, unfortunately the Whoop 4.0 Battery Pack won't work with the Whoop 5.0 or Whoop MG as the charging capabilities are slightly different. A bit of a bummer if you were hoping to upgrade and go for the cheaper membership. Again, the health tracking features you recieve depend on the membership tier you opt for. Having tested the Whoop MG, I'd recommend most people go for the Whoop Peak tier, as I'd argue the most exciting features are reserved for the Peak and Life tiers. With all of the membership options, you're getting updated hardwear with the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG — both have a newer processor that is 60% faster than that in the Whoop 4.0. This means quicker syncing and a better app experience. I also found workout auto-detection was more precise. Both also have the new Sleep Performance Update, step tracking and Women's Hormonal Insights. I rely on my wearables to monitor my cycle, especially since giving birth to my son 15 months ago, and have been impressed by the Hormonal Insights feature. It's one of the most advanced I've ever tested, and shows, at a glance, which stage of my cycle I'm in, and the impact my hormones are having on my sleep, strain, recovery and well-being. The Whoop Peak and Life membership subscribers get a skin temperature sensor, but unlike the Oura ring, it can't be connected to third-party apps to be used as a form of contraception. That said, the insights are in-depth, and impressive. There's also pregnancy tracking available. Here's a reminder of the different health tracking features, based on membership: One Peak Life The big feature Whoop is shouting about when it comes to the Whoop 5.0 is Healthspan (more on that below). That said, during my testing I've been impressed with the Stress Monitor, which has showed me just how tense I can get when my toddler is emptying the kitchen cupboards. It's helped me realize the strain stress can have on my body, even when I'm not feeling particularly stressed, and helped me take five when I need. I also think health metrics like resting heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and skin temperature tell you a lot about your day to day heath — most of the best fitness trackers on the market have these sensors, and it's a little disappointing they aren't included in the One membership. Healthspan seems to be Whoop's flagship new feature, with the idea being it can offer deep insights into your long-term health. There's two different parts to it — Whoop Age, and Pace of Aging. Whoop Age updates gradually over time, whereas Pace of Aging is a score ranging from -1x to 3 based on the immediate impact of your lifestyle choices. Healthspan calculates these insights by analyzing nine key metrics across sleep, strain and fitness. It looks at total hours of sleep, sleep consistency, and time spent in heart rate zones, your VO2 max, among others. You need to wear your Whoop for 21 days before you get your first metric, so I'll be updating this review once I have more data. Another key metric on the Whoop MG is the ECG sensor, which gives medical-grade ECG readings. It's easy to use — you simply sit still, with your hands on a table, and hold the sensor with your thumb and forefinger. I was able to get an ECG reading in minutes. Most people won't need to take an ECG reading every day, but the monitor detects signs of Artial Fibrillation (AFib) and provides Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications. It's a great feature, but I'd say it's not a deal breaker if you're on a budget. Whoop says the MG can also give you blood pressure insights, but you'll need a cuff to set up your baseline readings, so I've not been able to test this yet as I don't have one at home. There's no doubt about it, the new membership options make the Whoop an expensive tracker. While there's no initial outlay for the device, being hit with another $359/£349 a year in feels like a lot. If you're trying to decide between the Whoop 5.0 and the Whoop MG, I'd argue for most people, the Peak membership tier is the way to go. You're getting all of the detailed tracking we've come to expect from Whoop, without the ECG and blood pressure monitors you're unlikely to use an awful lot (unless, of course, you have a heart condition where regular ECG reading is beneficial.) The Whoop 5.0 itself is a massive upgrade on the Whoop 4.0 — it's lighter, smaller, and faster. Plus, the new features like Healthspan and Female Hormonal Insights with the Peak membership can help you make decision to optimize your fitness, recovery, and sleep, without medical grade sensors.
Boston Globe
10-05-2025
- Boston Globe
Whoop faces backlash after charging existing users upgrade fee for new models
'Instead of purchasing new hardware every time an updated model is produced, Whoop members receive the next-generation device for free after having been a member for six months or more,' it wrote in a since-deleted blog post published last year. The company said that it's 'committed to releasing new and regular updates constantly without requiring the purchase or use of a new device.' But when Whoop announced the latest devices, it said that users would need to extend their subscription or pay a $49 upgrade fee. Users with the prior device, the 4.0 that launched in September 2021, won't get access to new software features including advanced women's health tracking or one that estimates the user's physiological age. Advertisement A Whoop spokesperson said that, 'like any company, we from time to time update our commercial policies.' The spokesperson added that it has 'worked to make Whoop more accessible to more people' and that it is now offering three tiers of membership, including one with its lowest price to date of $199. Advertisement The Whoop 4.0 will 'also continue to be supported' with new features coming to users on the $239 Peak membership, the spokesperson said. Existing subscribers have expressed frustration on social media sites like X and Reddit, where they have accused the company of 'lying,' rug pulling and 'forcing users to pay extra' to describe the apparent change in Whoop's upgrade policy. Others have threatened to cancel their memberships. A Reddit post titled 'Whoop lied to us. End of story' has more than 790 upvotes. Another, titled 'Whoopgate — The receipts,' which shows the referenced deleted blog post, has some 1,500 upvotes, along with around 280 comments.
Engadget
09-05-2025
- Health
- Engadget
Whoop's latest wearables are smaller and offer 14-day battery life
Fitness tech company Whoop has announced a pair of new wearables, four years since its last product launch. The devices in question are the Whoop 5.0 and the Whoop MG, both of which require you to take up a subscription when you purchase. For those not aware, Whoop bands aren't available as standalone devices. A membership unlocks their features. Both new products are screenless, no-nonsense wearables with an estimated 14-day battery life and 10 times the power efficiency of their predecessor, the Whoop 4.0. The new devices are smaller than the 4.0 too, and both are designed to be worn 24/7 thanks to always-on sensors. The main difference between the Whoop 5.0 and the MG is the latter's medical-grade ECG capabilities (hence the "MG" in the name) and daily blood pressure readings. How much functionality you get from your Whoop wearable depends not only on the model you choose, but the membership plan you take up with it. The entry level $199-per-year "One" tier will provide "professional-grade fitness insights" that include the fitness tracker fundamentals, like sleep tracking, step count, heart rate zones and hormonal insights for women. With this plan you get the Whoop 5.0 and a basic charger, as well as a CoreKnit band. Stepping up to the $239 "Peak" tier nets you everything on Whoop One, as well as real-time stress monitoring and the new Healthspan metric, which assesses your long-term health prospects by measuring your Whoop Age and Pace of Aging, and offers "guided insights and actionable recommendations" accordingly. The premium tier is called "Life" and is exclusive to Whoop MG users and costs $359 a year. With this you can expect daily blood pressure insights, ECG readings and irregular heart rhythm notifications. Life members also receive a SuperKnit Luxe band and a waterproof wireless charger. Whoop offers a one-month free trial of its previous Whoop 4.0 membership. You can then choose between the three new membership tiers and the devices attached to them after or before your trial ends. Current members can also choose to upgrade from today. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Whoop unveils next-gen wearables Whoop 5.0, Whoop MG, with advanced health monitoring features
Whoop, a United States-based health tech and wearables brand, has announced the launch of two new devices called the Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG that are packed with health features including blood pressure insights, heart screener with ECH, hormonal insights, and more. The newly launched devices are also seven per cent smaller than the Whoop 4.0 band and offer more than 14 days of battery life, as per the company. 'We're not just launching new hardware. This is a complete reinvention of the WHOOP experience,' Will Ahmed, the CEO and founder of Whoop, said in a post on LinkedIn on Thursday, May 8. 'This launch is the start of a new era for WHOOP. At a time when healthcare systems are reactive and often inaccessible, we're building a health platform that empowers members to put the power back in their hands. WHOOP is evolving into the central operating system for health,' he said. In India, Whoop bands are priced similarly to smartwatches by Google and Samsung. However, they are particularly popular among athletes as they are said to offer accurate fitness metrics. The tech startup counts football player Cristiano Ronaldo as an investor and global ambassador. The all-new Whoop 5.0 has enhanced sensors that provide insights on sleep, recovery, strain, stress, and health. It also has a haptic alarm. The Whoop MG, on the other hand, provides data on blood pressure and comes with an in-built ECG/Heart Screener that has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In terms of the design, Whoop said that they are its most premium band as it has been crafted from Italian leather for 24/7 wear. It is available in various sizes and colours. With the latest wearables, Whoop has also expanded its health tracking features. For instance, Whoop Age provides data on the wearer's physiological age and pace of aging while Hormonal Insights provides deeper understanding of the wearer's menstrual cycles and hormonal health. 'Our new Sleep Performance score better recognizes sleep quality,' Whoop said. Beyond the upgraded versions of its health tracking bands, Whoop released updated units of its SuperKnit and SportFlex bands, as well as the CoreKnit bands. It has also launched an athleisure line called Whoop Body. Whoop is also working on a new feature called Advanced Labs that lets members schedule blood tests directly through the app to get more personalised guidance on their cardiovascular, metabolic, hormonal, and immune health. The Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG can be accessed by joining the company's paid membership programmes, namely: Whoop One at $199, Whoop Peak, which costs $239, and Whoop Life at $359.
