Latest news with #WhoopMG
The Verge
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Verge
Whoop is reportedly replacing defective MG trackers
Users of Whoop's fitness trackers have been reporting that their Whoop MG fitness trackers are turning unresponsive, in some cases within under an hour of setting them up. Now, the company is apparently replacing the trackers, in some cases before the users even ask, TechIssuesToday reports. Launched alongside the Whoop 5.0 earlier this month, the Whoop MG (which stands for 'Medical Grade') comes with EKG capabilities and blood pressure insights and requires a premium Whoop Life subscription that's $359 per year. Users started reporting issues with the tracker almost immediately. On May 11th, a user reported in the Whoop community forum that their MG 'stopped working overnight after working for 8 hours. No green light, no bluelight nothing. It won't now pair with the app.' Others replied to say the tracker failed even sooner for them, with one person reporting that it went inert after just half an hour of use. Some also report that their 5.0 has failed. The company appears to be trying to rectify the situation by sending out replacement units, sometimes without users even asking for one, as the Reddit user who posted the screenshot above wrote further down in the thread. The same goes for a user who posted two days ago to say they got the same notification despite having not noticed any problems with their MG. Some in that thread even write that the company replaced their MGs without ever telling them it would be doing so. It's already been a troubled launch for Whoop. Earlier this month, some users were outraged when Whoop said they would need to add another 12 months onto their memberships to avoid the upgrade fee for the Whoop 5.0. Previously, users only needed to have 6 months left on their subscription to get a Whoop 4.0. The company soon walked its new terms back, posting on Reddit that those who had at least 12 months left would be eligible for an upgrade.
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.
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Whoop MG review: a wearable that makes sense of what all the data means for you
Whoop MG Price : €399 Website : Where To Buy : Whoop If there is one thing that wearable technology company Whoop knows how to do, it is health data. And now the company is set to expand on that, with not one but two new bands. The first is the Whoop 5.0, an upgraded replacement for the standard band that has been around for a few years. The second is the Whoop MG, a device that is designed to give you even more data about your health, including an ECG, a blood-pressure monitor and additional heart screener capabilities. If you are new to Whoop, all of this will mean very little, so first some backstory. In 2015 Boston-based Whoop raised a shedload of money to create a wearable that would help athletes and their coaches gain insights into their training by taking data on key metrics – heart rate, heart rate variability, ambient temperature and movement – and crunching it into something more usable. It did this through the wearable strap, which was refreshingly screen-free, and the app, communicating all the data through Bluetooth. READ MORE A decade on, not much has changed. The Whoop band is still screen-free and the app is still a key part of the equation. Rory McIlroy is a fan. So is Cristiano Ronaldo. Whoop is doing pretty well for itself. [ Wearable tech: 'It's like having a personal health coach in your pocket. I live a healthier, better life because I have this' Opens in new window ] But now Whoop tracks even more metrics, and gives you data on everything from your daily strain and recovery to hormonal insights. Add in the ECG and blood-pressure features, and you have a fairly well-rounded device. The new Whoop looks a lot like the old one at first glance. It is smaller, by about 7 per cent, but most people wouldn't notice the external differences unless they held the two sensors side by side and really scrutinised them. The version reviewed here is the Whoop MG, which has one giveaway – the indents on the metal case that facilitate the ECG. Rest your finger and thumb here to take an ECG. Although Whoop asks you to specify where you are wearing the band, I found it worked better on my left wrist. The right wrist resulted in a failed ECG every time. Some of the features are immediately available. For example, the ECG can be taken and results fed back in 30 seconds, with the band screening for atrial fibrillation in the background. Blood-pressure insights require calibration with a cuff to get an accurate measurement; three readings will get you started. Whoop is clear that this is not a way to manage hypertension, however, so if you suffer with high blood pressure, you will still have to stick to your doctor's orders. For the rest of us it will provide some information about what is going on internally, and maybe give some insight on how it is affecting our sleep and overall performance. [ Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro: High-tech wearable with usual health features Opens in new window ] The Healthspan feature will require a bit more commitment. You need to wear the band for a few weeks, recording sleep data, before it will unlock. Then you can see not only your Whoop Age, but also your pace of ageing. Combined, the two quantify your long-term health. Certain factors – sleep quality, exercise and so on – will affect the figures so you can see what your lifestyle is doing to your overall health in an easy-to-understand way. It also gives you tips on how to improve it. That will be a longer-term project, and outside the scope of this review. With all these new elements come new subscription plans. Whoop One costs €199 per year and gives users fitness insights. Whoop Peak adds advanced health, fitness and longevity insights for €264 per year, while Whoop Life comes with medical-grade health and performance insights for €399 per year. The Life subscription is the option for the Whoop MG; it works out at about €34 a month. The Whoop MG is designed to appeal to those who want more information about their health and fitness, outside the standard athletic contingent that Whoop would once have targeted. The question is why people would go for it over, say, a standard smartwatch that includes ECG (the Apple Watch) or blood-pressure monitoring (the Samsung Galaxy Watch) for a flat fee rather than a monthly subscription. It depends on what you are looking for. Whoop's strength is its ability to take the data and give you feedback and tips on how to improve your health, rather than simply presenting you with some basic data and hoping you steer yourself in the right direction. Good The Whoop MG comes with some useful features, including the ECG and blood-pressure insights. It gives you data, but also tells you what it means, an area that I sometimes struggle with when it comes to other wearables. Battery life is great, at more than two weeks, and the redesigned wireless battery pack you clip to the band to recharge it has also been tweaked to fit the smaller band. Bad If you don't like the idea of paying a subscription to access services, the Whoop band isn't for you. But with so many services turning to fees for additional insights, it is inevitable that we will end up paying someone, somewhere to tell us what all this data we are collecting means. Everything else New sensors mean new bands and new ways of wearing the sensors more discreetly. The Leatherluxe band makes the Whoop band more subtle, and you can also invest in some of the Whoop Body clothing. Verdict Whoop has added some valuable insights to its platform, but the ongoing subscription price may be a hurdle for some potential users.
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Whoop faces backlash after cancelling free hardware upgrades
A day after launching Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker, the company is now facing backlash from its existing customers. Previously, the company had said that customers who had the membership for at least six months would be getting the new fitness trackers for free. A new report by The Verge suggests Whoop has changed the terms and conditions on its 'How to upgrade' page. The company now states that users will now have to extend their membership by at least a year or pay a one time $49 or $79 upgrade fee to get its newest fitness trackers to get the regular Whoop 5.0 or Whoop 5.0 MG 'at no extra cost'. In case you are wondering, Whoop's membership page on March 28 had stated that members will 'receive the next-generation device for free after having been a member for six months or more.' In an official Reddit thread, people noted that members who joined Whoop or extended their membership in the last 30 days are also eligible for the offer. Unsurprisingly, existing Whoop members who were waiting for their new fitness trackers are unhappy, with some saying they won't be continuing their membership. A post made by a customer on the Whoop subreddit describing the move as 'a slap in the face' has already garnered more than 1,000 upvotes. To give you a quick recap, the US based health tech and wearable brand recently announced two new devices – Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG. Packed with health tracking features like blood pressure insights, heart screener with ECH, hormonal insights alongside more advanced health metrics. The company claims it's new devices are smaller than their predecessors and offer more than two weeks of battery life. Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG can be accessed by opting for the company's membership plans, which start at $199.
