DST Takes a Toll on Sleep, With Younger Generations Most Disrupted

When looking into how much of an impact DST has on people the morning after, one thing is clear, everyone’s sleep patterns are thrown off. In fact, people spent a little too much time counting sheep the night of the time change, falling asleep 33 minutes later than the previous night, waking up 19 minutes earlier. While losing sleep isn’t easy at any age, those in their 20s likely felt it the most thanks to an extremely late bedtime and a seeming inability to sleep in.

Moreover, Sleep Score — calculated based on an evaluation of a users’ total sleep time, awake time, sleep cycle, plus physical and mental recovery — was at the worst level for weeks after DST — and again, people in their 20s appeared to be most affected. When examining in the seven-day Sleep Score average, the 20s age group demonstrated the slowest score recovery rate, while older age groups adapted much quicker. By the third week, Sleep Score for all age groups were still not stable as normal, showing fluctuations in the quality of a good night’s rest.

Useful Tips To Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep and a Quicker Recovery

The transition into DST clearly affects the sleep patterns of all age groups long after the clocks change, but for younger generations, prioritizing sleep management during this time couldn’t be more important. In recognition of World Sleep Day, Samsung is sharing useful tips that make understanding your sleep patterns and habits as seamless and effortless as possible for a better night’s rest.

• Creating an ideal sleep environment is critical to a good night’s sleep. Later this month, Samsung Health app update² will make this possible by providing guidance and analysis on the key factors that influence sleep quality, including temperature, humidity, CO₂ and illuminance via a Sleep Environment Report³ — leveraging SmartThings and the power of Samsung’s extensive device ecosystem. With a better understanding of how your environment affects sleep, easily optimize your room conditions for an improved night’s rest.
• In addition to perfecting your sleep environment, understanding how activity can impact energy level is key. Samsung Health app updates also bring enhancements to Energy Score,⁴ which provides an indicator of how much energy users can expend throughout the day. In addition to sleep and heart rate, a new detailed factor about activity — Activity Consistency — will help you understand your overall condition in greater detail by evaluating your activity levels over the past four weeks.
• It’s also important to understand how you’re sleeping and make necessary adjustments through sleep training. Sleep Coaching makes this simple by seamlessly tracking your sleep patterns over 7 days and assigning a sleep animal based on the results. With a personalized coaching program, develop healthy habits and routines that set you on a positive path to achieving your sleep goals.

World Sleep Day serves as an important reminder of the importance of sleep. With the latest Samsung Health app updates and the Galaxy ecosystem, Samsung remains committed to helping users optimize their sleep and lead healthier, more balanced life.

¹ Findings analyzed sleep data of Samsung Health users via Galaxy Watch series during DST in the spring of 2024.
² Certain features may vary by market, carrier or paired device.
³ Sleep Environment Report feature will be available on smartphone with One UI 7 and Samsung Health app version 6.29.5 or higher, and when device is connected to SmartThings.
⁴ Galaxy AI features track data and require compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, Samsung Health app and Samsung account.

Samsung Electronics is leveraging AI technology to enhance its comprehensive health solutions, delivering more meaningful and personalized health experiences.

To understand how Samsung’s AI ecosystem is poised to transform the future of wellness, Samsung Newsroom observed the second Tech Forum session, titled “The Role of Technology for a Healthier Life.”

▲ (From left) Moderator Dr. Vanessa Hill, Dr. Hon Pak, Dr. Patrick O’Connor, Emily English and Dr. Kyu Rhee

Healthy Living Starts With a Holistic Approach

Moderator Dr. Vanessa Hill, an award-winning science communicator and sleep scientist, started the discussion by providing insights into the practical utility of today’s health technology.

While advancements such as wearable devices, health apps and telehealth platforms have made health management more accessible, the sheer volume of information can lead to confusion — making it easy to overlook critical insights amid an overwhelming sea of data.

▲ Dr. Patrick O’Connor from the University of Georgia

“The issue is not the amount of data but the fragmentation,” said Dr. Patrick O’Connor, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Mary Frances Early College of Education, University of Georgia. “The key is to bring the scattered data together to create a comprehensive understanding, as health requires a holistic approach due to the interconnectedness of so many factors.”

“As a sleep scientist I know the importance of gathering health data around the clock. Identifying abnormalities in metrics like heart rate, temperature or even snoring during sleep is key to not only unlocking better sleep, but better overall health,” said Dr. Hill, who emphasized that sleep is the foundation of holistic health.

Personalized Care Through Various Health Metrics and Continuous Tracking

The discussion also explored the importance of adding new health metrics to track, and monitoring those metrics in a continuous manner.

▲ Dr. Kyu Rhee from the NACHC

“Continuous health monitoring of physical activity, sleep, nutrition and stress should become new, additional vital signs for users and health professionals,” said Dr. Kyu Rhee, President and CEO of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). “Combining this essential health data with clinical data powered by AI insights has the potential to transform the health system by improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and empowering patients, their caregivers and healthcare teams.”

▲ Dr. Hon Pak from Samsung Electronics

One health metric receiving a substantial amount of attention from both Samsung and the digital health industry in general is blood glucose.

“Blood glucose is an area Samsung has been deeply invested in, and we’ve made significant progress in developing CGM-integrated nutrition coaching as well as enhancing non-invasive technologies for tracking blood glucose levels,” said Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, sharing the company’s roadmap for blood glucose management and end-to-end (E2E) healthcare experiences. “These advancements are all part of our work to deliver more proactive and preventive disease detection solutions to everyone, helping lower healthcare burdens on people, their families and society at large.”

▲ Emily English, a BSc nutritionist

“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to health and nutrition, it’s a journey that requires a holistic understanding of yourself,” said Emily English, a BSc nutritionist. “Wellness technology is helping provide a full 360-view of your life. New solutions that offer easy access to health metrics like blood glucose will offer a more holistic understanding of our bodies and revolutionize the way we manage our everyday health.”

Ushering in the Era of Personalized Health Insights

The discussion touched on how AI can translate tracked health data into actionable and meaningful insights.

▲ The health AI panel at Galaxy Tech Forum

In an effort to consolidate disparate data onto a single platform, Samsung has collaborated with Dr. O’Connor’s research team to develop Energy Score — a feature that enhances the digital healthcare experience. “New AI-enabled features like Energy Score have become a jumping off point for broader health innovations,” explained Dr. Pak. Calculated based on health indicators such as activity levels, sleep, heart rate during sleep and heart rate variability during sleep, Energy Score exemplifies how wearable devices and AI can support a holistic and personalized approach to health and wellness management.

▲ Dr. Patrick O’Connor describes Energy Score.

“Monitoring overall readiness might benefit from minimally invasive brain sensing technology,” said Dr. O’Connor. “Today, we are able to leverage non-invasive technology, the available science and AI to generate an Energy Score, helping translate complex data into an intuitive and understandable index.”

Dr. Pak also teased Samsung’s upcoming plans to expand the AI capabilities of Energy Score to include nutrition, mental health and even mobile usage patterns — offering users deeper and more comprehensive insights into their overall well-being.

The Health AI session underscored the importance of a holistic approach to health management, highlighting the potential of personalized health experiences powered by continuous health monitoring. As AI becomes an indispensable partner in modern wellness, Samsung’s innovative technology is set to drive a new era of tailored and comprehensive health solutions.

With over 25 years of experience in the medical field and now as Head of Digital Health team at Samsung Electronics, I spend a lot of time contemplating how technology can truly drive progress in healthcare, rather than being just another innovation for innovation’s sake. That’s why I’m very excited about AI as it offers new ways to address many of society’s health problems by simplifying complexity and at scale.

In our ongoing work to reimagine healthcare, Samsung is leveraging advanced AI algorithms and extensive technical expertise to develop solutions like Energy Score. This feature quantifies physical and mental energy levels through multiple health indicators including sleep, heart health and physical activity. Our vision is to include more comprehensive metrics like nutrition, mental health and additional mobile usage patterns to provide a holistic view of users’ health status, powered by AI.

AI holds great promise for early disease prevention through analyzing patterns and behaviors, detecting abnormalities, and even predicting potential health issues. By combining our long-standing sensor innovations with AI leadership, we aim to elevate our capabilities in preventing diseases, beyond sleep apnea and expanding to cardio-metabolic conditions. In particular, blood glucose is a big area of focus for us, and Samsung has been working to develop a sensor algorithm that predicts early signs of diabetes — along with non-invasive blood glucose monitoring technology and continuous glucose monitoring-integrated nutrition coaching.

Our goal is to support proactive health management, lowering healthcare burdens on individuals, families and communities at large. I strongly believe that AI will revolutionize the digital health industry and simplify the wellness journey for everyone. As a global tech leader, Samsung is uniquely equipped to make this a reality with our mix of technology innovations and a growing ecosystem of partners.

One UI 6 Watch will soon be available to a wider range of Galaxy Watch devices through the latest software update.¹ Beginning to roll out today, the update will bring select features from the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch7² to previous generations of Galaxy Watch around the world including Galaxy Watch6, Galaxy Watch6 Classic, Galaxy Watch5, Galaxy Watch5 Pro, Galaxy Watch4, Galaxy Watch4 Classic and Galaxy Watch FE.

The One UI 6 Watch update offers personalized insights to even more users for a holistic and comprehensive understanding of health.³ With Energy Score, users can better understand their physical and mental conditions through an intuitive score calculated from various health metrics including sleep, activity, sleeping heart rate and sleeping heart rate variability. Users can also access personalized recommendations, powered by Galaxy AI,⁴ to support health improvement. For sleep tracking, receive a deeper and more accurate understanding of sleep with a detailed analysis powered by an advanced AI algorithm and new sleep metrics, including movement during sleep, sleep latency, heart rate and respiratory rate. Additionally, the De Novo FDA-authorized Sleep Apnea feature is now available on a wider range of Galaxy Watch devices, helping more users proactively spot potential signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea.

The expansion of One UI 6 Watch empowers more users to stay motivated and conquer their fitness goals with personalized experiences. Monitor progress in real time when running or cycling with Race, which compares changes in current and past performance to encourage users to make improvements. Workout Routine allows users to combine various exercises and create personalized routines, uniquely tailored to their individual goals and preferences.

Furthermore, the latest update provides new watch faces to best suit various needs or preferences that are both stylish and functional. For instance, use the Simple Digital watch face to reflect a minimalist design, or the Ultra Info Board watch face to check information at a glance without sacrificing style. The expansion of One UI 6 Watch also allows users to enjoy more seamless experiences with connected Galaxy devices. When paired with a compatible Galaxy smartphone, users can effortlessly send suitable responses with AI-powered Suggested replies. With simple and intuitive Double Pinch Gestures, a connected Galaxy smartphone can be easily controlled right from the wrist to answer calls, dismiss alarms, take photos and even more.

¹ The software update will come first to the Galaxy Watch6 series and then become available sequentially to previous generations. Feature availability and support may vary by market, carrier, model and paired smartphone.
² For more information on relevant product features and disclaimers, please click the hyperlink.
³ Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in the detection, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring or management of any medical condition or disease. Any health-related information accessed through the device and/or application should not be treated as medical advice. Users should seek any medical advice from a physician. Certain features may vary by market, carrier or paired device.
⁴ Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by AI features. Samsung account login may be required to use certain Samsung AI features. Galaxy AI service may be limited for minors in certain regions with age restrictions over AI usage. Galaxy AI features will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices. Different terms may apply for AI features provided by third parties.

Samsung Newsroom unboxed the Galaxy Ring, designed to enhance both style and convenience in everyday life.

A Journey That Begins With Fine Packaging

▲ The Galaxy Ring and its charging case

The Galaxy Ring’s innovative form factor is reflected in its thoughtfully crafted packaging. Constructed in a clamshell design, the packaging resembles a jewelry box, thereby accentuating the wearable’s unique form. Opening the box unveils a transparent charging case with LED lighting — evoking the feeling of revealing a precious gem.

▲ The Galaxy Ring in Titanium Black mounted inside its LED-lit clamshell charging case

Consistent with the packaging, the charging case adopts a design similar to that of a jewelry box as well. Once opened, the charging case reveals the Galaxy Ring with its titanium frame and sleek curved body, subtly illuminated by LED lighting.

The Galaxy Ring is available in three colors — Titanium Black, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gold — and comes in nine ring sizes from size 5 to 13. This range allows users to select the perfect combination of color and fit, tailored to their personal style and size.

▲ The Galaxy Ring, alongside its packaging, charging case and a USB Type-C cable

Sophisticated Design Offering Comfort All Week Long

To provide continuous support and help users stay on track with their health, the Galaxy Ring is equipped with a powerful battery that lasts up to seven days on a single charge.¹ The battery level and charging status can be easily monitored through the LED lighting in the charging case.

▲ The Galaxy Ring’s battery level can be intuitively monitored via an LED light when stored in the charging case. The case’s battery level can be checked by removing the Galaxy Ring and briefly pressing the central multipurpose button.

▲ The Galaxy Ring’s charging case is compatible with both USB Type-C wired charging and wireless charging.

The Galaxy Ring’s main appeal lies in its lightweight and comfortable fit. Weighing between 2.3 grams (size 5) and 3 grams (size 13),² the device’s sleek, slim design creates an effortless wearing experience that is so comfortable users might forget they have anything on.

▲ The Galaxy Ring boasts a sleek, lightweight design.

The Galaxy Ring is exceptionally durable, thanks to its concave design and Titanium Grade 5 finish that resists everyday scratches and wear.³ The device is also 10 ATM water resistant,⁴ allowing it to withstand pressures equivalent to a depth of 100 meters. This means the Galaxy Ring can continue to monitor users’ health while they wash their hands, take a shower or engage in strenuous activities without worrying about damaging the device.

▲ The Galaxy Ring’s Titanium Grade 5 finish and 10 ATM water resistance provide users with greater freedom in their daily lives.

Advanced Sensors for Comprehensive Health Monitoring

▲ The Galaxy Ring features three state-of-the-art sensors.

The Galaxy Ring’s ability to deliver a comprehensive range of health information, from sleep quality to daily activities, is rooted in its advanced built-in sensors. With a skin temperature sensor, heart rate monitor sensor and accelerometer, the Galaxy Ring’s trio of state-of-the-art sensors encircle the user’s finger — meticulously tracking data that is subsequently analyzed by Galaxy AI to provide personalized health insights. Users can access detailed health information and insights on the Samsung Health app.

Quick and Easy Pairing With Galaxy Smartphones

To use the Galaxy Ring, it must first be paired with a Galaxy smartphone. This process is very straightforward. When the case is opened, the device automatically enters pairing mode. Users can follow the instructions on their Galaxy smartphone to complete the connection.

▲ Opening the Galaxy Ring charging case automatically pairs the device to a Galaxy smartphone.

To pair manually, place the Galaxy Ring in the case and press the multipurpose button for at least three seconds to activate pairing mode.

▲ A long press on the multipurpose button for three seconds will manually activate pairing mode. A short press will display the battery level via an LED light.

The Galaxy Ring can be worn on the finger once paired, and users can begin personalizing and monitoring their health care right away.

▲ The initial setup screen for the Galaxy Ring when pairing showcases signature digital health features like Energy Score, sleep analysis, Wellness Tips and Heart Rate Alert.

Finding the Perfect Fit With Galaxy Ring

Choosing the right size and wearing the Galaxy Ring properly are crucial for optimal performance. If determining the right size proves challenging, consider using the sizing kit that can be tried at Samsung stores or shipped free from Samsung.com.⁵ This complimentary kit includes nine rings identical in size to the actual product from size 5 to size 13, allowing users to find the perfect fit.

▲ A complimentary ring sizing kit to measure the user’s finger size

For accurate data tracking, the device should be worn with the protruding line that indicates the sensor’s direction facing the palm. The Galaxy Ring can be worn on any finger, but it is recommended that users try the sizing kit rings for a day or more to find out which finger suits them best.

▲ The Galaxy Ring worn correctly, with the protruding line facing the palm.

In addition to health management, the Galaxy Ring also offers a handy smartphone control feature with just a simple gesture of the fingers. When wearing the device, users can double pinch via Gestures to take a photo or turn off an alarm on a connected Galaxy smartphone.⁶

▲ The Galaxy Ring’s smartphone control feature lets users take a photo or turn off an alarm by double-pinching their thumb and index finger together.

The Galaxy Ring combines powerful performance and a sleek design for a refined and comfortable wearable experience. Reflecting Samsung’s commitment to advancing user convenience and health monitoring, the Galaxy Ring invites users to embark on a new journey towards healthier living.

¹ Based on the battery life of a size 13 product. Battery life will vary depending on ring size.
² Weight of Galaxy Ring varies by size. Size 5 Galaxy Ring is 2.3g, size 6 Galaxy Ring is 2.4g, size 7 Galaxy Ring is 2.4g, size 8 Galaxy Ring is 2.6g, size 9 Galaxy Ring is 2.7g, size 10 Galaxy Ring is 2.8g, size 11 Galaxy Ring is 3.0g, size 12 Galaxy Ring is 3.0g, and size 13 Galaxy Ring is 3.0g.
³ Titanium is only applied on Galaxy Ring device frame.
⁴ ATM stands for the standard atmosphere, a unit of air pressure. In theory, one ATM means that the product is waterproof to a depth of 10 meters under water.
⁵ One Sizing Kit is available free of charge upon purchasing the Galaxy Ring. Only one Sizing Kit is provided per order number. Sample rings included in the Galaxy Ring Sizing Kit are inoperable and for measuring ring size only. Wearing the ring for at least 24 hours is recommended to test the ring.
⁶ The double-pinch feature with the thumb and index finger is only able to take photos and turn off alarms on Galaxy Rings paired with Samsung Galaxy smartphones running on One UI 6.1.1 or later.

The smallest and most compact form factor in the Galaxy wearable portfolio, the Galaxy Ring fits comfortably on users’ fingers like a traditional ring. Equipped with cutting-edge sensors and Galaxy AI features, the Galaxy Ring offers a powerful health management experience.

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Sungjin Kim and Yujin Roh from the Wearable Product Planning Group, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, to learn how the Galaxy Ring came to be.

Ultra-Compact Form Factor Optimized for 24/7 Health Monitoring

Q. What inspired the creation of the Galaxy Ring, a completely new addition to Samsung’s wearable lineup?

Kim: We’ve been exploring new opportunities in the wearable market with a particular focus on the rapidly growing field of health management. This led us to look for the optimal form factor to provide more accurate, uninterrupted health data for personalized health solutions. After evaluating various form factors, we settled on the ring — a user-friendly, small and lightweight shape that can be worn 24/7.

▲ Sungjin Kim

Q. What key health management benefits does the Galaxy Ring offer?

Roh: Sleep is the foundation of health. The Galaxy Ring is comfortable enough to wear while sleeping and can last up to a week on a single charge,¹ making it ideal for collecting detailed and in-depth sleep data. A powerful sleep AI algorithm provides advanced sleep insights to help users better understand and improve their sleep. Furthermore, Energy Score analyzes sleep quality, activity levels, sleeping heart rate and sleeping heart rate variability data to deliver a daily health index to users.

▲ Yujin Roh

Q. What factors were considered during the design process?

Kim: To maximize the advantages of the ring form, we examined the historical and biological significance of rings before incorporating these insights into the product. For example, we adopted a simple yet modern concave style to enhance the Galaxy Ring’s value as an everyday accessory. Moreover, the charging case and packaging have clamshell designs reminiscent of a jewelry box — elevating the quality of the product down to the finest details that users touch.

▲ Packaging and charging case for the Galaxy Ring

The Quest for an Effortless User Experience

Q. What was your primary focus during the planning process?

Kim: Since our main focus was to provide users with meaningful health insights, we engaged in extensive discussions with the Digital Health Team and other relevant departments. One notable outcome of these collaborations is the introduction of Energy Score on Samsung Health. In addition, users can receive personalized health insights powered by Galaxy AI to help them reach their health goals. This innovation marks a new step in active and autonomous health management, moving beyond mere monitoring to offer users valuable guidance for healthier lifestyles.

▲ The Galaxy Ring features a heart rate sensor, accelerometer and skin temperature sensor.

Roh: Comfort and aesthetics were also key priorities for us. Users were pleasantly surprised by how light the wearable is. During the planning phase, we conducted extensive research to ensure lightweight comfort. In addition, we carefully selected colors that complement a wide range of styles.

▲ The Galaxy Ring is available in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver and Titanium Gold.

Q. What was the biggest challenge in designing the Galaxy Ring?

Roh: Designing and implementing gestures was particularly challenging. To create a connected Galaxy ecosystem, we considered various user scenarios to ensure the product would be practical and convenient for everyone. As a result, we introduced the alarm turnoff feature — allowing users to dismiss the wake-up alarm on their Galaxy smartphone with a double-pinch gesture on the Galaxy Ring. This same movement can also control the Galaxy smartphone’s camera, maximizing connectivity between devices.

Q. What has been the most memorable feedback since the Galaxy Ring launched?

Kim: Unlike our previous products, we released teasers for the Galaxy Ring before its launch to attract attention. I vividly remember how excitement for the wearable exploded beyond our expectations when the product was revealed. This surge in interest energized everyone working on the product, fueling our passion during the final stretch of the launch. I’m proud to say that every single member of the team worked hard to perfect the device.

Roh: The consumer feedback that pleased me the most was, “I love how it gives me such thorough health information, from sleep to exercise, when all I did was wear it.” We frequently hear that the product is so comfortable that users forget they have it on. This makes us proud and shows that our focus during the planning stage paid off. We’re grateful that users recognized our efforts in creating a premium experience — from the Galaxy Ring’s aesthetic to the charging case and practical sizing kit that allows users to measure their ring size in advance.

▲ (From left) Sungjin Kim and Yujin Roh discuss the product planning process behind the Galaxy Ring.

Ushering in a New Era of Health Management

Q. In one word or sentence, how would you describe the Galaxy Ring?

Kim: I would say it’s a “game changer.” The Galaxy Ring is the first new form factor since the Galaxy Watch series — offering an even more intimate health experience with powerful capabilities packed into a small, lightweight device. Achieving this feat required hard work from the development and design teams as well as various other departments. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in creating this product.

Roh: In a word, it’s the “beginning.” For some, the Galaxy Ring marks the start of a new day. For others, the device signifies the commencement of a full-blown health management journey. Nonetheless, we hope it will open a new era of possibilities in the wearable market.

▲ (From left) Yujin Roh and Sungjin Kim pose for a photo with the Galaxy Ring.

Q. What’s next for the Galaxy Ring?

Kim: We aim to maximize the benefits of this ultra-small form factor to track and manage health data in the simplest way possible. As the wearable market continues to rapidly grow with a variety of products and services expected to emerge, our teams are dedicated to developing robust solutions that meet users’ needs.

Roh: Beyond measuring health information, we will continue to explore ways of providing more specific insights and meaningful health improvements tailored to each user’s environment. We appreciate the continued interest in our innovations and hope users will share our anticipation for upcoming products.

The creation of the Galaxy Ring — the smallest yet most powerful product in the Galaxy wearable lineup — was driven by the passion and tireless efforts of many dedicated individuals. Samsung looks forward to the new horizons the Galaxy Ring will unlock for health management in users’ everyday lives.

¹ Battery life is based on testing conducted with the size 12 and size 13 Galaxy Ring. Battery life of the size 12 and size 13 Galaxy Ring lasts up to 7 days on a single charge. Battery life varies by ring size. Battery life is based on results from internal lab tests for typical usage pattern scenarios conducted by Samsung. Tested with results from a pre-released version of the device under the scenario of Sleep Tracking for 6 hours, Auto Workout Detection for 1 hour and 30 minutes and several specific events (20 times of reconnection after disconnection, 3 times of Samsung Health app setting change, 0.5 times of Find My Ring execution, 3 minutes of Gestures execution) assuming 24 hours of use per day. Actual battery life may vary depending on different usage patterns, device model or the battery manufacturer. Rated capacity is 17mAh for Galaxy Ring sizes 5,6,7 (battery life lasts up to 6 days on a single charge), 18.5mAh for sizes 8,9,10,11 (battery life lasts up to 6 days on a single charge) and 22.5mAh for sizes 12,13 (battery life lasts up to 7 days on a single charge). Testing conducted by Samsung using Fast Charging USB C Cable and Samsung 25W USB C Power Adapter. Charge time varies with settings, usage patterns and environmental factors; actual results may vary.

To develop the Energy Score feature, Samsung Research² collaborated with Professor Patrick O’Connor from the Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology at the University of Georgia, USA.

Samsung Newsroom explored the new Energy Score — designed to enhance the digital healthcare experience.

Energy is closely related to everyday efficiency and fatigue, and based on imperfectly understood neural circuit activity in the brain. As a result, objectively quantifying energy is not easy. Samsung Research and Professor O’Connor’s team joined forces to define and calculate an individual’s energy based on the available science.

A leading expert in exercise psychology, Professor O’Connor has extensively studied the effects of sleep, physical activity and caffeine intake on cognition and feelings of energy. He advised on the development of the Energy Score feature on Samsung Health, combining physical activity with neuroscience data and theory to suggest the concept of “Overall Capacity.”

While most existing services focus solely on physical aspects when measuring energy, Overall Capacity considers both physical and cognitive factors. Mental stressors can affect energy levels, as evidenced by disrupted sleep patterns and increased fatigue when stressed.

Essentially, energy reflects the amount of activity one can sustain relative to their total capacity. Exceeding one’s usual physical or mental load reduces energy in the short term. For example, if someone typically exercises at a low intensity for 30 minutes daily — but decides to engage in moderate-intensity exercise for an hour one day — their Energy Score is expected to drop the following day.

Regular exercise can improve Overall Capacity, potentially resulting in a higher Energy Score for the same workout intensity over time.

▲ Physical and cognitive loads that exceed average levels lead to reduced energy. However, regular exercise can increase energy or help maintain it at a higher average level.

Energy Score is calculated based on physical activity levels, sleep quality, heart rate during sleep and heart rate variability during sleep as measured by wearable devices. Samsung Research developed the Energy Score feature based on scientific studies and clinical research that studied the correlation between these indicators and cognitive, self-reported and physical markers of energy.

“Activity” can influence physical capacity. One can predict their energy for the day by comparing workout data from the previous day against their typical activity levels. This method employs the Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio concept that anticipates fatigue by assessing both long-term and short-term workload.

“Sleep” is primarily associated with mental capacity. Sleep patterns like average sleep duration over seven days, consistency of sleep and wake times and how quickly one falls asleep are analyzed and integrated into one’s Energy Score. This method follows the “energy reservoir” model — which explores the connections between sleep, fatigue and cognitive function, to calculate fluctuations in energy based on sleep duration and circadian rhythms.

“Sleeping Heart Rate” and “Sleeping Heart Rate Variability” are linked to both physical and mental capacities. Energy is forecast by comparing recent measurements to past long-term data trends. Predictions are more accurate when heart rate during sleep and heart rate variability during sleep data are both analyzed during a stable state of sleep.

▲ Indicators used to calculate the Energy Score. Activity and sleep are primarily associated with physical and mental capacity, respectively, while sleeping heart rate and sleeping heart rate variability are known to be associated with both.

Samsung Research took age and gender into account in determining how much weight each factor should have on one’s Energy Score. Furthermore, Professor O’Connor’s research team conducted experiments involving cognitive tests and self-reports of energy and fatigue symptoms, finding a significant correlation between the Energy Score generated by Samsung’s models and clinical data collected by the University of Georgia’s researchers.

Samsung Health’s Energy Score goes beyond simple numerical values. The figure offers health guidance and suggestions based on seven key factors affecting the score including average sleep duration and physical activity from the previous day.

To achieve this, Samsung Research combined its energy score model with optimization AI and generative AI technologies. Optimization AI first pinpoints key influences on the score and analyzes current energy levels along with recent lifestyle changes to suggest potential improvements. On-device generative AI then crafts these insights into friendly messages while upholding user privacy.

The health guidance provided gives users an understanding of their current Energy Score and science-based suggestions to manage appropriate levels of activity and rest for the day. By paying more attention to the factors that affect their daily Energy Score, users can go on to improve their lifestyle habits.

▲ Energy Score provides users with personalized health guidance via friendly, AI-generated messages

Professor O’Connor conducted extensive research in collaboration with Samsung developers, striving to enhance the reliability and validity of the Energy Score.

“From a scientific perspective, the Energy Score reflects predicted variation in the ability to perform brief cognitive tests of attention across the day based on objective information obtained from smart device sensors during the past week,” he explained.

“Through our collaboration with Professor O’Connor, we were able to address this challenge in a scientifically meaningful way,” said Yunsu Lee, Head of the Data Intelligence Team at Samsung Research. “We will continue to develop data and AI technologies to ensure that Samsung’s various devices are used more widely to enhance users’ lives.”

¹ Only for general health management and fitness purposes. Service availability may vary by country.
² The advanced research and development organization in Samsung Electronics’ DX (Device eXperience) division