Whoop has released a new version of its smart bracelet, but with a change in its upgrade policy, it has hurt the very people who kept it alive - long-time subscribers.
Whoop 5.0 is here – but it’s just the beginning. In a world where refrigerators still require a subscription to access “premium cooling,” Whoop is something of a pioneer: a screenless smart bracelet that monitors its wearer 24/7 and tells them when to rest, exercise, or drink more water (and probably when to call the midwife). All this in exchange for a monthly subscription. Just a few years ago, this was a fresh, almost radical approach. Today? An increasingly confusing maze of terms, models, and hidden costs. A big change is coming – Whoop 5.0.
The Evolution of Whoop: From Elite-Only Gadget to Subscription Chaos
When Whoop first hit the market, it was aimed at professionals—elite athletes, trainers, biohackers. Its main selling point: analytics. Not “how many steps you took,” but how your heart rate fluctuated during REM sleep and whether you were able to repeat yesterday’s marathon without collapsing.
Later, Whoop offered a revolutionary offer: a free hardware upgrade for loyalty – if you stayed subscribed for at least six months, you got a fresh bracelet when a new version came out. Simple. Until Whoop 5.0 came along.
Whoop 5.0: The best product ever?
We have no comments. Whoop 5.0 is a serious step forward:
- 10x more energy efficient processor – translates into up to two weeks of autonomy.
- Advanced sensors for even more accurate measurement of sleep, stress, HRV, blood oxygen and more.
- Healthspan & Pace of Aging – analytics that tell you if you're aging like wine or like milk in the sun.
- ECG in MG version, which is medically certified and clearly targets the healthcare sector.
In short: this is not a toy. This is a biometric laboratory on your wrist.
But then: reversal. Confusion. Panic. Reddit.
Everything would have been great if Whoop hadn't changed its upgrade terms literally overnight. Despite an old blog post claiming that anyone with at least 6 months of subscription would get a free upgrade, the company suddenly demanded that 12 months of REMAINING subscriptions or – look at it in a fraction – payment for upgrade.
When users rebelled (with Reddit burning like the broken Apple Maps of 2012), the company caved in under pressure – but not completely. Those with more than 12 months of subscription now get Whoop 5.0 for free. The rest? Let's just say they're "encouraged" to renew.
New subscription models: more choice or just more confusion?
Whoop now offers three packages:
Whoop One – $199/year
Basic package. Nothing special. No upgrades.
Whoop Peak – $239/year
Standard. Upgrades are here. Even a wireless charger.
Whoop Life – $359/year
For those who still want ECGs, health analytics, and the feeling of living in 2040.
If this sounds complicated, it's because it is. One Reddit user even wrote, "I'd rather have 10 different protein shakes to choose from than three subscription models I don't understand."
PR scandal? Or just capitalism in sportswear?
Whoop tried to correct the impression with the classic move “it was a wrong blog post, it was never our official policy.” But the internet, as we know, never forgets. Users have screenshots, interviews, evidence. And no, they don’t believe it was a “mistake.”
What have we learned?
- Transparency counts.
- Loyal users are not taken for granted.
- If you're building a community, don't lie to its face.
The Whoop 5.0 is without a doubt an exceptional device. But if the company continues with this approach, even the most advanced algorithms will have a hard time measuring the number of users who will simply leave.
