WHOOP 5.0 and MG: Features, Backlash, and Response

What’s New with WHOOP 5.0 and MG?

The WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG, launched on May 8, 2025, bring a host of exciting upgrades to the table, building on the legacy of WHOOP 4.0. Available through WHOOP’s subscription tiers - One ($199), Peak ($239), and Life ($359) - these devices are designed to elevate your health and fitness game. Here’s what’s fresh:

• Extended Battery Life: A game-changing 14-day battery life (up from 4-5 days in WHOOP 4.0), with monthly charging via the Wireless PowerPack, which fully charges in just 2 hours (Peak and Life memberships).
• Healthspan Tracking (18+ users): A new feature for both WHOOP 5.0 and MG that calculates your “WHOOP Age” and Pace of Aging weekly, offering personalized tips to slow aging.
• Heart Screener (WHOOP MG only): An FDA-cleared ECG to detect atrial fibrillation (AFib) with shareable reports, though it’s not available for users under 22, those with pacemakers, or in all regions.
• Blood Pressure Insights (Beta) (WHOOP MG only): Daily systolic/diastolic estimates based on overnight analysis and a baseline cuff reading (not for medical diagnosis, pregnant users, or those on BP medication).
• Smaller, Smarter Design: 7% smaller than WHOOP 4.0, with a 10x more power-efficient processor and sensors capturing data 26x per second for precise tracking.

These additions make WHOOP 5.0 and MG powerful tools for anyone looking to fine-tune their wellness, from casual fitness buffs to biohacking pros.

Tried-and-True Features from WHOOP 4.0

WHOOP didn’t reinvent the wheel - they kept the core features that made WHOOP 4.0 a favorite, ensuring continuity for users:

• Core Tracking: Comprehensive monitoring of sleep, strain, recovery, stress, heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, and workout impacts.
• Stress Monitoring: Real-time stress tracking with guided breathing sessions to help you stay balanced.
• Women’s Health: Menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking for tailored insights.
• Versatile Wearability: Wear it on your wrist, torso, waist, or calf with WHOOP Body apparel; it’s IP68 dust-proof and water-resistant up to 10 meters for 2 hours.
• WHOOP Coach: AI-powered coaching with personalized recommendations via the WHOOP app.
• Membership Perks: Lifetime warranty (direct purchases), 24/7 support, monthly feature updates, and robust data privacy (health data is never sold, and research data is de-identified).

These features keep WHOOP a leader in wearable tech, blending seamlessly with the new upgrades.

The Backlash: What Went Wrong?

Despite the hype around WHOOP 5.0 and MG, the launch hit some serious snags, sparking frustration among subscribers. Here’s a quick rundown of the main issues:

• Unexpected Upgrade Fees: WHOOP initially charged $49 for WHOOP 5.0 and $79 for WHOOP MG or required a 12-month subscription extension, contradicting earlier promises of free upgrades after six months. This led to accusations of “deceptive” practices on Reddit and X, with users sharing screenshots of a deleted blog post.
• Broken Promises: The subscription model ($199–$359/year) was marketed as including free hardware, so the fees felt like a betrayal. Users on X compared the MG’s cost to an Apple Watch, questioning the value.
• Incompatible Accessories: WHOOP 5.0’s smaller design made many WHOOP 4.0 straps and apparel unusable, forcing users to buy new gear, which Reddit users called a sales tactic.
• Customer Service Hiccups: Some reported unresponsive support or defective devices, like a “lifeless” WHOOP 5.0 MG, per X posts, amplifying launch frustrations.

The backlash was loud, with Reddit threads like “Whoopgate: The Receipts” and Bloomberg noting WHOOP was “trending for all the wrong reasons” on May 9, 2025. Users felt let down by a brand they trusted in the competitive $60.9B fitness tracker market.

How WHOOP Responded

WHOOP didn’t sit idly by - they took decisive steps to address the community’s concerns, particularly around the upgrade policy, to rebuild trust. Here’s how they tackled the backlash:

• Policy Reversal for Free Upgrades: On May 10, 2025, WHOOP updated its policy, offering free WHOOP 5.0 upgrades to members with 12+ months left on their subscription. They also promised refunds for those mistakenly charged the $49 or $79 fee. WHOOP clarified that a blog post error had wrongly suggested six-month eligibility, as their current plans require 12- or 24-month commitments. A Reddit moderator hailed this as a “win for the community.”
• Transparent Communication: WHOOP engaged directly with users. On May 9, a PR team member told TheStreet, “We update our commercial policies from time to time... to make WHOOP more accessible,” highlighting the new $199 WHOOP One tier. Their X account and Reddit posts echoed this, stating, “We heard your feedback, especially from those of you with more than 12 months remaining on your membership.”
• Leadership Context: Former Chief Product Officer Ben Foster (2020–2022) posted on Reddit, explaining that free upgrades were always tied to sufficient membership length, and the 12-month minimum aligned with WHOOP’s updated plans. His post, with over 1,300 upvotes, helped clarify the shift, though some users still felt it didn’t fully address past promises.
• Support for WHOOP 4.0: WHOOP reassured non-upgraders that WHOOP 4.0 remains fully supported with new features like Healthspan and Stress Monitor (except MG-exclusive ECG and blood pressure insights), easing concerns about being forced to upgrade.
• No Comment on Accessories or Support: While WHOOP addressed upgrade issues, they didn’t publicly respond to accessory incompatibility or customer service complaints. They introduced new LeatherLuxe and SuperKnit Luxe bands, suggesting a focus on 5.0-compatible gear, but left users with unusable 4.0 accessories in the lurch.

What’s Next for WHOOP Users?

WHOOP’s response shows they’re listening, but some trust issues linger, especially around transparency and accessory compatibility. The policy reversal and refunds have calmed some waters, with X users praising WHOOP for “doing the right thing.” Still, Reddit users note, “Removing [the blog post] doesn’t erase the fact [that] it was real,” reflecting ongoing skepticism.

For Plunge readers, the WHOOP 5.0 and MG are worth a look if you’re into data-driven wellness. The 14-day battery, Healthspan tracking, and medical-grade features like ECG make them standouts. Current subscribers should check their membership status on whoop.com to see if they qualify for a free upgrade. New users can start with a 1-month WHOOP 4.0 trial, upgradable to 5.0 or MG.

As the fitness tech world evolves, WHOOP’s handling of this launch reminds us that community feedback matters. At Plunge, we’re excited to see how WHOOP continues to innovate—hopefully with smoother rollouts in the future.