WHOOP’s latest health and fitness tracking devices, the 5.0 and MG, were the center of a lot of buzz when they were unveiled. Their stylish appearances and advanced health monitoring features made them seem like a significant leap forward. However, the joy of a few users was quickly replaced by their disappointment due to the issues with the release. The article below sheds light on what has changed, what the error was, and how WHOOP is responding.
What’s New in WHOOP 5.0 and MG?
The WHOOP 5.0 and MG (Medical Grade) variants brought a bunch of updates with them that sounded very nice in theory. The most important change, in my opinion, was the battery life, which can now last up to 14 days, i.e., it has been increased 3 times compared to the 4-5 days application from the previous model. The recharge is also a lot smoother with the new wireless PowerPack that can recharge the unit in two hours for Peak and Life members.
The two devices implemented Healthspan Tracking for 18+ users. It tracks your “WHOOP Age” as well as your aging rate and offers you weekly tips that help you to slow it. The MG variant takes a step further with the provision of an FDA-cleared electrocardiogram for monitoring arrhythmia and generating a report to share. Nevertheless, only certain groups can use the features. Those under 22 years of age, pacemaker wearers, or people residing in certain areas cannot access these features.
One of the substantial features added to the beta is Blood Pressure Insights. It predicts systolic and diastolic pressure 24 hours a day using the data of the sleep cycle and a single baseline reading from the cuff. WHOOP makes it clear that it is not a diagnostic instrument and is not suitable for pregnant women or users taking medication for blood pressure.
The gadget is smaller, 7 percent smaller than the WHOOP 4.0, and is powered by a processor that is ten times more efficient. The sensors are now able to retrieve information 26 times per second, which results in more precise data.
All are still available: sleep, recovery, strain, stress, heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, and workout tracking. On top of that, the device offers real-time stress tracking, women’s health tracking, versatile wear options, and AI-driven coaching. Membership perks like a lifetime warranty (for direct orders), support 24/7, and bi-weekly feature updates are also part of the package.
Launch Issues: Device Malfunctions and Irate Users
Even with the amazing upgrades, the rollout was not as flawless as WHOOP had anticipated. Most users started complaining about significant issues with their new MG devices right out of the gate. In a few instances, trackers simply became completely non-responsive—no lights, no syncing, and no sign of life even after charging them to completion.
Individuals attempted all the typical troubleshooting procedures—charging, resetting, even tapping the sensor to trigger a reset—but for many, nothing seemed to work.
Subscription Confusion and Accessory Frustrations
It wasn’t only the technical issues that irked customers. WHOOP’s policy on upgrades also left them in the dark and confused. Initially, they were informed that they’d have to pay $49 for the 5.0 or $79 for the MG—or commit to a full year membership if they wanted to bypass the cost. That didn’t go down well with loyal subscribers who had been assured upgrades would be complimentary after six months.
Most of the users felt deceived, noting that their yearly subscriptions, at $199 to $359, were all-inclusive, including hardware upgrades and everything. Others went as far as comparing the cost and specifications of the WHOOP MG to an Apple Watch, wondering whether they were getting value for money.
The more compact size of the 5.0 caused issues as well. Accessories for the 4.0 model, such as straps and compatible gear, no longer work. For customers, this was perceived as a deliberate attempt to get them to buy new.
Customer support wasn’t immune to complaints either. Some customers complained about support being unresponsive or sending out replacements that were already DOA.
How WHOOP Is Handling It
To its credit, WHOOP did respond. The company began to voluntarily swap out defective MG units, at times ahead of customers, even complaining. One user reported they were caught off guard when WHOOP sent them an email with an offer for a replacement before they could complain.
A company official minimized the problem, referring to it as infrequent and isolated, but conceded that WHOOP was sending replacements in a timely fashion. Customers were not charged for lost time if a replacement took more than a day to ship.
WHOOP also addressed the upset over upgrade charges. As of May 10, all members with more than 12 months remaining on their subscription are entitled to a free upgrade to 5.0. Users who had paid for an upgrade were guaranteed refunds. WHOOP explained that previous blog articles had caused confusion regarding eligibility and that current plans come with either 12- or 24-month commitments.
To allay concerns among users remaining on WHOOP 4.0, the company assured that features such as Healthspan and Stress Monitor would still be rolled out. The only exceptions are ECG and blood pressure monitoring, which are unique to the MG model.
Mixed Reactions from Users
Not everyone has experienced problems. Some users say their new WHOOP MG operates perfectly. Testers have also reported smooth performance in their review. But for some who have been impacted by malfunctions or policy ambiguity, it’s been annoying.
If your device is unresponsive, WHOOP recommends making sure it’s fully charged, then trying a forced reset by tapping the top of the sensor until the side LED flashes blue. If that doesn’t work, support is your next step—and recent reports suggest you’ll likely get a replacement quickly.