To mark World Sleep Day 2026, a global study of Samsung Health users² is shedding new light on the true extent of sleep apnea and the disruptive impact it has on sleep. Aligned with this year’s World Sleep Day theme, “Sleep Well, Live Better,” Samsung Electronics is turning the invisible signs of the condition into actionable insights through the Galaxy Watch series, helping those affected improve their sleep habits and overall health.

How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Sleep?

The report found that 23% of study participants were at risk of sleep apnea.

“The microarousals and awakenings that follow breathing pauses fragment your sleep,” said behavioral sleep scientist Dr. Vanessa Hill. “Those occurrences can prevent the brain from staying in the rapid eye movement (REM) and deep sleep stages necessary for cognitive and physical restoration.”

The report showed these constant disruptions take a direct toll on sleep duration and quality, leading to:

• Reduced REM Sleep: Participants with moderate to severe sleep apnea indicators detected by Galaxy Watch got around four minutes less REM sleep, the phase where the brain processes emotions, consolidates memories and cements learning. Without enough of it, people can experience mood instability and memory problems, impacting performance at work and overall well-being.
• Less Deep Sleep: Sleep apnea also robs sufferers of deep sleep — approximately eight minutes less per night on average. This is the body’s critical physical restoration phase, where growth hormone is released, muscles are repaired and the immune system is activated. Losing deep sleep may leave people feeling physically exhausted, experiencing slower recovery times and getting sick more often.
• Frequent Nightly Awakenings: Participants with signs of sleep apnea also woke up more regularly during the night and stayed awake around four minutes longer. These interruptions derail the sleep cycle, locking people into lighter, less restorative stages and making next-day exhaustion inevitable, no matter how long they slept.
• Shorter Sleep Duration: Overall, people with a higher likelihood of sleep apnea averaged around 12 minutes less sleep. While this loss may seem minor, it can significantly impact sleep quality as sleep cycles become fragmented throughout the night.

Why It Matters: “Even a small loss in sleep duration is compounded by a larger loss of sleep quality,” said Dr. Hill. “This can be the difference between simply being ‘in bed’ and getting restorative rest, which could be why people feel so tired the next day.”

Dr. Hill also advocates a multidimensional approach to sleep health. “Sleep apnea affects many dimensions of sleep — duration, quality, sleep efficiency and even daytime fatigue,” she added. “Together, they help determine our health and functioning.”

With sleep apnea shown to impact multiple aspects of sleep and lead to other health complications, detection is an essential first step in the fight against the condition.

How Does Galaxy Watch Help Detect Signs of Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea?

For years, sleep apnea has been difficult to detect due to the need for inconvenient hospital tests. However, Samsung offers at-home detection with a first-of-its-kind Sleep Apnea³ feature on Galaxy Watch.

• How It Works: Users simply track their sleep with a compatible Galaxy Watch⁴ for more than four hours on two nights within a ten-day period. Available through the Samsung Health Monitor app, the Sleep Apnea feature enables users to proactively spot signs of the condition. Initially launched in Korea, the feature has since received De Novo authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now available in 78 markets⁵ worldwide and counting.
• The Technology: Leveraging Galaxy Watch’s BioActive Sensor, the feature tracks blood oxygen levels to determine when the user stops breathing (apnea) or experiences shallow breathing (hypopnea). Based on this data, the feature estimates the user’s Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which indicates the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• From Awareness to Action: By detecting signs of sleep apnea early, the feature provides the data needed for an informed consultation with a medical professional. In addition to tackling sleep apnea, Galaxy Watch can help users build habits for better holistic sleep health. Features include the Sleep Coaching program for detailed analysis and tips on how to improve sleep quality and Bedtime Guidance,⁶ which recommends optimal bedtimes to ensure consistent sleep.

“For years, the inconvenience of an in-lab clinical sleep study has been a barrier to diagnosing sleep apnea,” said Dr. Hill. “Wearable technology such as Galaxy Watch is a breakthrough because it democratizes that first step, allowing people to gather meaningful data from their own beds and providing a starting point for a conversation with a healthcare professional.”

Take Control of the Night

A good night’s sleep is the first step toward a healthier, more energized life, and Samsung is here to help guide users. Samsung’s ecosystem offers end-to-end care, from detecting signs of sleep apnea on Galaxy Watch to providing suggestions to seek professional advice.

Looking ahead, Samsung is constantly innovating and improving the Sleep Apnea feature to make it even more powerful with sharper insights. Prioritizing rest today can help unlock a healthier tomorrow.

1. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea National Indicator Report,” American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2023) ︎
2. Samsung Health users from the U.S., Korea, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Chile, South Africa and the Philippines participated in the study from January to June 2025. ︎
3. The Sleep Apnea feature is an over-the-counter (OTC), software-only, mobile medical application operating on a compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch and Galaxy smartphone. It is intended for on-demand use. Users should not use this feature to replace traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified clinician. The data provided by this device is also not intended to assist clinicians in diagnosing sleep disorders. For users over the age of 22 who have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea, the feature monitors for signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). ︎
4. Availability may vary by market, carrier, model or paired smartphone. Available on the Galaxy Watch4 series and later models. The Galaxy Watch requires the Wear OS 5.0 version or later and must be paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with Android 12.0 or later. ︎
5. Supported markets include Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norfolk Island, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Réunion, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen ︎
6. Bedtime Guidance is available on Android phone (Android 11 and above) and requires the Samsung Health app (v6.30.2 or later). Bedtime Guidance is based on three days of sleep analysis of the user’s circadian rhythm and sleep pressure. Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. The measurements are for personal reference only. Not intended for use in the detection, diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition or sleep disorder. Please consult a medical professional for advice. ︎

This growth follows the feature’s receipt of CE (Conformité Européenne or European Conformity) marking for the European Economic Area. The CE marking affirms that Samsung meets the European Union’s health, safety and environmental protection standards, reinforcing its leadership in sleep technology. Additionally, the feature was recently approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration and Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority.

The milestone builds on Samsung’s groundbreaking De Novo authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — the first of its kind for a wearable device to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.⁵ The Sleep Apnea feature was also approved by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Brazil’s health regulatory agency ANVISA and Health Canada.

Recognizing the critical role of sleep in overall health, Samsung is committed to helping users improve sleep quality by understanding their sleep patterns, providing personalized sleep coaching and optimizing their sleep environments. With the Sleep Apnea feature, more users can now detect symptoms⁶ earlier — helping to prevent health issues associated with this common yet often undiagnosed condition.

The Sleep Apnea feature reflects Samsung’s ongoing commitment to providing users with meaningful insights to support healthy sleep habits. By expanding access to this FDA-authorized feature globally, Samsung is empowering users worldwide to take proactive steps toward better sleep health.

¹ The Sleep Apnea feature is an over-the-counter (OTC), software-only mobile medical application operating on compatible Galaxy Watch series models and Galaxy smartphones. It is intended to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the form of significant breathing disruptions in adult users age 22 and older over a two-night monitoring period. The feature is designed for on-demand use and is not intended for individuals previously diagnosed with sleep apnea. Users should not rely on this feature as a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare provider. The data provided by this device is also not intended to assist clinicians in diagnosing sleep disorders.
² Availability may vary by market, carrier, model or paired smartphone. The feature is available on Galaxy Watch4 series and later models running Wear OS 5.0 or later and must be paired with a Galaxy smartphone running Android 12.0 or later. Due to regulatory restrictions in obtaining approval and registration as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), the feature only works on supported Galaxy Watch series models and Galaxy smartphones purchased in markets where the service is currently available. Service may be restricted when users travel to unsupported markets.
³ Availability may vary depending on country-specific registration in some European markets.
⁴ Supported markets include Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norfolk Island, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Réunion, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen.
⁵ Considered a common yet serious medical condition, sleep apnea causes someone to stop breathing while asleep, which can result in disruptions in oxygen supply, lower sleep quality, and other health complications such as hypertension, cardiac disorder, stroke or cognitive disorder.
⁶ The Sleep Apnea feature utilizes the BioActive Sensor to measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) during sleep. It analyzes changes in SpO₂ levels related to apnea and hypopnea patterns and estimates the Apnea-Hypopnea Index to inform users of potential symptoms.

Samsung Electronics and Stanford University today jointly announced a research project with Stanford Medicine to initiate an innovative health solution based on Samsung’s obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) feature¹ which has received De Novo — the first of its kind authorization — by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In recognition of World Health Day, this project underscores the importance of sleep in overall health by taking further steps in proactive care, beginning with a pioneering study.

Led by professor Robson Capasso as principal investigator and professor Clete Kushida as co-principal investigator, the joint study is designed to explore potential ways to further enhance Samsung’s Sleep Apnea feature to better support sleep health through timely interventions. Looking ahead, efforts will focus on going beyond detection by leveraging AI technology for daily monitoring to sleep apnea management, empowering users with the best possible sleep tools to improve their health.

Samsung’s Sleep Apnea feature on the Galaxy Watch,² which detects signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, previously received authorization by the US FDA following approval by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). With its latest approval by Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), the feature will become available to users in Brazil in late April, increasing availability to 29 markets globally. The Sleep Apnea feature will continue to be expanded to more countries around the world, allowing more people to proactively spot symptoms earlier, which help prevent further long-term OSA health-related complications.

“The ethical, equitable and evidence-based use of technology, after its validation through research is crucial in developing new approaches to detection and management of sleep apnea and other serious sleep-related health conditions,” said Robson Capasso, MD, FAASM, Chief of Sleep Surgery, Professor of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, former Associate Dean of Research, Stanford University School of Medicine. “We are excited about this groundbreaking collaboration and proud to be initiating a study utilizing smartwatches, a friendly and commonly accepted wearable.”

“This collaboration with Stanford Medicine will combine our deep technological expertise with Stanford’s leading research capabilities to unlock new innovation in preventive care,” said Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics. “Together, we aim to move beyond screening to also provide more meaningful daily support that helps people better understand and manage their sleep health.”

¹ The Sleep Apnea feature is an over-the-counter (OTC), software-only, mobile medical application operating on a compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch and Phone. This feature is intended to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the form of significant breathing disruptions in adult users 22 years and older, over a two-night monitoring period. It is intended for on demand use. This feature is not intended for users who have previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Users should not use this feature to replace traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified clinician. The data provided by this device is also not intended to assist clinicians in diagnosing sleep disorders.
² Availability may vary by market, carrier, model, or a paired smartphone. Available on Galaxy Watch4 series and later models. The watch requires the Wear OS 5.0 version or later and must be paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with Android 12.0 or later.

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.

▲ (From left) Samsung’s Dr. Hon Pak, BeeKeeper AI’s Dr. Michael Blum, Mills Peninsula Medical Center’s Dr. David Klonoff and Samsung Medical Center’s Professor Myung Jin Chung

Q. What do you see as the future of health and what role does technology play in it, especially when combined with Generative AI?

▲ Dr. Hon Pak, SVP and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics

Professor Chung: Through years of clinical experiences, I’ve learned there is immense value in a comprehensive, 360-degree understanding of a patient’s health history. However, it can be challenging to fully grasp their lifestyle or key wellness factors, such as sleep patterns or eating habits, especially when treatment is focused on specific symptoms. Lifelog data gained from wearables can be helpful for healthcare and clinical management to better understand the full context of one’s health history. And AI can assist clinicians by streamlining the management and interpretation of collected information over time, simplifying the process. The future of AI is distilling vital insights from daily life to deliver a deeper understanding of one’s health based on continuous monitoring by a wearable.

▲ Dr. Michael Blum, M.D., CEO and co-founder of BeeKeeper AI

Dr. Blum: As a cardiologist, I also want to add that continuous monitoring is emerging as a vital tool in early detection and prediction of a potential disease. For instance, conditions like atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure, which are high risk and high impact, yet manageable through low-intensity interventions, can benefit greatly from such monitoring. By wearing a smartwatch, we can better understand the underlying issues that may be contributing to it, and Samsung can be hugely impactful here. These tools, powered by AI, can easily turn data into consumable insights and actionable wisdom, empowering individuals to take proactive steps to reduce possible health risks.

▲ Dr. David Klonoff, M.D., President of the Diabetes Research Institute at Mills Peninsula Medical Center

Dr. Klonoff: Glucose monitoring has become more prevalent, not just for diabetes management but for people who don’t have diabetes yet are interested in pursuing a healthier lifestyle. As such, there’s increasing interest in understanding what behaviors affect glucose levels. Since health metrics are interconnected, combining glucose data with sleep, blood pressure and activity level insights initiates profound conversations about individuals’ lifestyles and experiences. And if users can gain a deeper understanding of these collective insights sooner, then there’s increased opportunity to identify early warning signs of potential health issues such as diabetes. Wearables and AI amplify the value of physiological data and individuals can gain a richer, more nuanced understanding of metabolic health and facilitate opportunities to improve overall wellness and fitness.

Q. What role do you expect Samsung to play in the evolving health landscape?

Dr. Klonoff: We encourage Samsung to not only embrace AI in their health monitoring technology but continue to lean on their pioneering heritage of innovation to emerge as a leader in promoting behavioral change. Through ongoing conversations and collaborative efforts with medical experts, Samsung can help people make the changes in their lives that are needed. Leveraging these insights can encourage people to stay healthy over the long term without feeling overwhelmed and enable them to lead more fulfilling and enjoyable lives.

Dr. Blum: I agree that technology integrated into people’s lives can be an important step to maintain everyday wellness and help to prevent serious health conditions. These devices should seamlessly work in the background in an innocuous way, and Samsung has been a clear leader in this space with its diverse product offerings, ranging from smartphones and TVs to home appliances. However, the question that remains is how can we successfully improve people’s daily lives from a wellness perspective? In the end, it is crucial to connect with users to understand their patterns and encourage positive behavioral modifications; and Samsung has the potential to push the limits of what’s possible, so we can all take better care of ourselves and our families.

▲ Professor Myung Jin Chung, Director of Samsung AI Research Center at Samsung Medical Center

Professor Chung: I echo Dr. Blum’s sentiment, in that while Samsung devices are already deeply embedded into our everyday lives, there are opportunities to further embrace its device ecosystem to facilitate behavioral changes for a happier, healthier tomorrow. However, there’s immense power in making behavioral changes with support from family members; it’s more effective than taking on this challenge alone. That’s why it’s necessary to leverage continuous monitoring and insights, as well as create a care circle with family and friends. Samsung can be a huge contributor in creating a care circle by leveraging its expertise and advanced capabilities to maximize social connections with the goal of providing users with greater knowledge about themselves and their loved ones.

To explore the profound impact of sleep, Samsung hosted a panel discussion on March 10 titled, “How Technology Can Revolutionize the Age-Old Sleep Dilemma” during the 2024 South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, Texas, USA. Experts uncovered how AI and technology have the potential to immensely improve sleep quality.

▲ (From left) Creative Strategies’ Carolina Milanesi, Samsung’s Dr. Hon Pak, sleep scientist Vanessa Hill and the National Sleep Foundation’s John Lopos discuss the importance of sleep.

Panelists included Dr. Hon Pak, SVP and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics, sleep scientist Vanessa Hill, and John Lopos, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Moderated by Carolina Milanesi, President and Principal Analyst at Creative Strategies, the event took place just hours after Americans¹ set their clocks forward one hour for daylight saving time, underscoring the relevance of the conversation to panelists and audience members alike.

Decoding Sleep for Richer Insights

Milanesi kicked off the panel discussion by highlighting that “sleep is one of the most crucial factors that can lead to overall well-being.” She also emphasized the importance of understanding what kind of impact sleep has on our everyday lives — this served as the crux of the conversation that would follow.

The panelists unanimously agreed on the importance of sleep, and while it’s the foundation of health that directly impacts everyday activities, dietary choices, and mental well-being, it often isn’t prioritized, with sleep quality worsening worldwide. However, experts are hopeful that AI-led technology and wearables — including smart rings and smart watches with advanced sensors — can help individuals build better sleep habits and create optimal sleep environments.

The panelists emphasized that when people are informed about their sleep, they are more empowered to make decisions that help achieve better sleep. Pak stressed how essential wearables like the Galaxy Watch6 and the recently unveiled Galaxy Ring are to Samsung’s vision for enhanced sleep health, as they can track sleep metrics and provide meaningful insights that encourage users to develop better habits and make positive changes.

Hill emphasized the importance of making sleep a priority in the same way people carve time out for workouts, nutritious meals, and annual checkups. She added that individuals are empowered to achieve their best sleep with technology like wearables and gave a firsthand account of her own experience with sleep coaching² on the Galaxy Watch6 that did exactly that.

During the discussion, Pak also touched upon Samsung’s connected health ecosystem, mentioning its collaborations with medical institutes and its roster of health-focused companies helping expand the ecosystem and the Software Development Kit (SDK). This allows partners to develop solutions leveraging Samsung’s insights and technologies.

Better Sleep With AI and Wearable Technology

With interest in AI sweeping the globe and influencing every area of technology, the panelists spent time unpacking just how these new intelligent capabilities and insights can be available to more people so they can achieve sound sleep.

Pak stressed how mobile devices will become the primary access point for AI and how Samsung is striving to deliver personalized and actionable insights by incorporating and analyzing extensive information through Samsung Health App. These insights are then transformed by AI to deliver tailored health experiences.

“Sleep is a subjective experience. However, there’s tremendous value in objective measurements — like the insights wearable devices provide,” said Lopos. “Sleep tracking is an expanding space, and the capabilities of AI take it to the next level. AI technology can enable personalized information to be shared with users and empower them to make small behavioral changes for the better.”

“We’re focused on turning tracked data into intuitive and meaningful insights using AI, meaning consumers are met with more tailored experiences.” Pak added. He noted that with more products and form factors, improved sensors and advanced algorithms, technology can help individuals commit to a consistent sleep schedule and learn how to get a better night’s sleep.

Hill agreed that users will feel the benefits of AI on a tangible and personal level, particularly through upcoming Samsung Health features like My Vitality Score and the Booster Card,³ which combine richer data with more responsive analysis to make user guidance more personalized and actionable in their daily lives.

Through this in-depth expert panel session, Samsung is celebrating World Sleep Day and will continue prioritizing sleep health as it expands its tech capabilities and evolving product portfolio. In addition to heart health monitoring during sleep, Samsung will be adding new sleep metrics to underscore its commitment to health, wellness and sound sleep, including heart rate, respiratory rate, night movement, and sleep latency, as well as sleep stage, blood oxygen and skin temperature. In addition, Samsung will support a sleep apnea feature⁴ that will go beyond simple monitoring and analyze blood oxygen levels during sleep, detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and help users seek appropriate care. Samsung is committed to leveraging its technology and the Samsung ecosystem to give everyone the insights they need to achieve their lifelong wellness goals.

¹ The U.S. widely observes daylight saving time. Only a few states, or parts of them, opt out of the practice or adopt it year round without a biannual switch.
² Availability may vary depending on market, model and the paired smartphone.
³ My Vitality Score and Booster Card will be made available on Samsung Health within 2024. Availability may vary by market, carrier, or wearable device.
⁴ The Sleep Apnea Feature is an over-the-counter (OTC) software-only, mobile medical application operating on a compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch and Phone. This feature is intended to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the form of significant breathing disruptions in adult users 22 years and older, over a two-night monitoring period. It is intended for on demand use. This feature is not intended for users who have previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Users should not use this feature to replace traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified clinician. The data provided by this device is also not intended to assist clinicians in diagnosing sleep disorders.

Today, more than ever, people are defining their own wellness goals. From looking to stay fit or gaining more muscle mass, achieving better sleep, or caring for personal or family physical and mental health issues, everyone’s goals for better health look different. But one thing is common, the daily management and path towards these goals can be complicated and challenging, and most importantly, it is defined by you.

That’s why at Samsung, we’re working to empower more people to manage their health — and those they care for — their way, with a comprehensive, yet simplified approach to everyday wellness. Our vision is to improve the health of billions through connected care centered around the home by connecting devices, services and people — like only Samsung can.

Simplifying Wellness by Uniting Scattered Health Data

One of the biggest challenges the healthcare industry is facing today is fragmented data and how to bring it all together. Samsung is uniquely positioned to undertake this with one of the largest, most diverse connected device ecosystems. Now with Samsung Health, we’re connecting different devices and partner solutions within one cohesive platform, making it simpler to track health conditions on a Galaxy wearable.

By collecting data through advanced sensor technology, you’ll receive a deeper, more holistic understanding of your health with improved insights and integrated third party health data. And as always, your personal data on the Galaxy devices remains secure thanks to the Samsung Knox security platform.

Turning Data Into Meaningful Insights With the Transformative Power of AI

Like any good data model, how you leverage the information is key. In this new mobile era of AI, Samsung is focused on remaining at the forefront of maximizing information. With the intelligence of AI, the most transformative technology of the century, users will receive more personalized insights and tailored health experiences through Samsung Health’s extensive global dataset from 64M monthly active users. And while every user’s wellness journey is unique, we believe they all start in the same way — by gaining a deeper understanding of their health through more comprehensive insights, spanning the longest time possible.

This is why we’ve continued to build a portfolio of tools that help track their health conveniently, continuously and accurately. This approach comes to life in our wearables portfolio with upcoming features like My Vitality Score¹ and Booster Card,² combining more data with new intelligent analysis to deliver even more personalized and actionable guidance day and night.

Bringing It All to Life Starting With a Good Night’s Sleep

With more data and greater intelligence, users will receive even more insights for preventative wellness end-to-end solutions, starting with sleep. We’ve developed a variety of features that offer users a deeper understanding of their sleep quality and other aspects of their health during sleep. For example, the sleep apnea feature, which recently received De Novo clearance from US FDA, will detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea — and often undiagnosed and untreated — chronic medical condition, so they can address it with their healthcare provider.

This is just the beginning. We’re working with partners to connect these capabilities to real world solutions and services that expand access to healthcare in the home. For instance, you can create a more optimal sleep environment with a smart mattress that can fine-tune the ideal sleep temperatures for rest.

The Future of Wellness Is at Your Fingers

Samsung recognizes that gaining a deep understanding of one’s personal health can result in significant long-term wellness benefits for our users. As we look to deliver on our vision of providing users with a comprehensive yet simplified approach to everyday wellness, we realize choice is a big factor. Obtaining accurate, detailed and advanced information on personal health conditions is the foundation of helping better track and action change.

Mobile devices will become the primary access point for AI, and through Samsung Galaxy — with our broad and comprehensive product portfolio, heritage of innovation and philosophy of open collaboration — we’re well positioned to accelerate its global expansion. That’s why we’re thrilled to be introducing Samsung Galaxy Ring later this year — bringing Samsung’s accumulated innovations to the smallest form for comfortable 24/7 wear. As a new addition to our wearables portfolio, Galaxy Ring will offer users an all-new way to simplify everyday wellness, empowering them with greater insights and more ways to understand themselves day and night. With Galaxy Ring, users can embrace an unrivalled experience during every step of their wellness journey, all while being delivered in lockstep with Samsung’s broader vision for a more connected, integrated and seamless digital wellness platform.

Samsung will continue to enrich and expand Galaxy AI experiences across our product categories and collaborations to bring forward mobile experiences that defy imagination. The launch of Galaxy Ring is just one of Samsung’s many initiatives that exemplifies this and delivers on our vision of improving the health and wellness of billions, starting at home, with you. Through the power of intelligence, partnerships and advanced technology, we’re helping more people better understand themselves and make the small changes that have a big impact, every day. With this, the power of Galaxy AI and many more exciting health and wellness solutions and updates on the horizon, we can’t wait for you to see what we have in store.

¹ My Vitality Score will be made available on Samsung Health within 2024. Availability may vary by market, carrier, or wearable device. Features are intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. The measurements are for your personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice.
² Booster Card will be made available on Samsung Health within 2024. Availability may vary by market, carrier or wearable device.

Samsung Electronics announced that the sleep apnea feature¹ on the Samsung Health Monitor app² has received De Novo authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This feature, which detects signs of sleep apnea using a compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch and phone, was the first of its kind to be authorized by the FDA following previous approval by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), announced last October in Korea.

The sleep apnea feature enables users over the age of 22 who have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) over a two-night monitoring period, a common and chronic sleep condition that often goes undiagnosed and untreated. To utilize the feature, users can simply track their sleep twice for more than four hours within a ten-day period.

OSA causes a person to stop breathing while sleeping and can often result in disruptions in oxygen supply, decreased sleep quality and increased daytime fatigue. Untreated sleep apnea can compound the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia and stroke. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), roughly 25% of men and 10% of women in the U.S. experience OSA. The new feature on the Samsung Health Monitor app is expected to help more people proactively detect moderate or severe forms of OSA, and as a result of the detection seek medical care to reduce the possibility of health-related complications.

Good health is strongly linked to good sleep. Sleep helps bodies and minds recover and empowers people to wake up refreshed and ready for the day ahead. The quality of sleep people get every night has a significant impact on their physical and mental well-being, relationships, performance and more. Samsung recognizes the foundational role that sleep serves in people’s health and well-being by focusing on three key elements for better sleep: understanding sleep patterns, building better habits and creating a sleep-friendly environment.

With the sleep apnea feature, Samsung is taking the next step in its ongoing commitment to provide Galaxy users with the best possible sleep tools to improve their sleep health habits. The feature will be available on the Galaxy Watch series in the U.S. via the Samsung Health Monitor app in the third quarter.³

¹ The Sleep Apnea Feature is an over-the-counter (OTC) software-only, mobile medical application operating on a compatible Samsung Galaxy Watch and phone. This feature is intended to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the form of significant breathing disruptions in adult users 22 years and older, over a two-night monitoring period. It is intended for on-demand use. This feature is not intended for users who have previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Users should not use this feature to replace traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified clinician. The data provided by this device is also not intended to assist clinicians in diagnosing sleep disorders.
² Availability may vary by market or device. Due to market restrictions in obtaining approval/registration as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), it only works on watches and phones purchased in the markets where service is currently available (however, service may be restricted when users travel to non-service markets).
³ Availability may vary by market, carrier, model, or paired phone.

Samsung Electronics today announced that the new sleep apnea feature¹ on the Samsung Health Monitor app² has been approved by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), and will be coming to Galaxy Watch series in Korea early next year. The new feature is expected to enable more people to spot obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in early stages which often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

“Samsung remains committed to delivering advanced technologies to Galaxy wearables that help more people better understand and take control of their wellness,” said Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “With the new sleep apnea feature on Galaxy Watch series, we are providing users with a simple, proactive tool to recognize this disorder in its earliest possible stages before their condition worsens.”

Considered a common yet serious medical condition, sleep apnea causes someone to stop breathing while asleep, which can result in disruptions in oxygen supply, lower sleep quality, and other health complications such as hypertension, cardiac disorder, stroke or cognitive disorder. According to the National Sleep Foundation, roughly 25 percent of men and 10 percent of women in the US suffer from obstructive sleep apnea,³ of which many fail to recognize their symptoms or seek medical treatment. The new sleep apnea feature is designed to enable more people to proactively spot symptoms of the condition, encourage discovering earlier, and further reduce the possibility of health related complications.

By leveraging Galaxy Watch’s BioActive Sensor, the sleep apnea feature monitors blood oxygen levels during sleep and identifies moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea by analyzing how the detected blood oxygen values change to apnea/hypopnea, then estimates Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Users are simply required to track their sleep twice, each time more than 4 hours, within 10 days to gauge whether they have these symptoms.

Galaxy Watch’s new sleep apnea feature joins blood pressure monitoring,⁴ electrocardiogram (ECG) detection⁵ and irregular heart rhythm notification (IHRN)⁶ as the latest addition to the Samsung Health Monitor app, giving users a better understanding of their holistic health — all right from their wrist. It will be made available on Galaxy Watch series in Korea via Samsung Health Monitor app updates beginning early next year.⁷

¹ The sleep apnea feature is only a pre-diagnosis tool. It isn’t meant to replace diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. If you aren’t feeling well, contact your doctor, even if the watch doesn’t detect sleep apnea. DON’T use this feature if you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Your Galaxy Watch can’t catch every case of obstructive sleep apnea. The watch only checks for possible moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea and can’t detect central sleep apnea.
² Availability may vary by market or device. Due to market restrictions in obtaining approval/registration as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), it only works on watches and smartphones purchased in the markets where service is currently available (however, service may be restricted when users travel to non-service markets). This app can only be used for measuring in ages 22 and over.
³ National Sleep Foundation: https://www.thensf.org/do-i-have-obstructive-sleep-apnea/
⁴ The Blood Pressure feature is only available in select markets. To ensure accuracy, users should calibrate their device every four weeks with a traditional blood pressure cuff. The BP feature cannot diagnose hypertension, other conditions, or check for signs of a heart attack. It is not meant to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.
⁵ The ECG feature is only available in select markets. It is not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment. The feature is not intended for users with known arrhythmias other than AFib. Users should not interpret or take clinical action based on the device output without consultation of a qualified healthcare professional.
⁶ The IHRN feature is not intended to provide a notification on every episode of irregular rhythm suggestive of AFib and the absence of a notification is not intended to indicate no disease process is present. It is not intended for users with other known arrhythmias.
⁷ Availability may vary by market, carrier, model, or a paired smartphone. It will be available on Galaxy Watch6 and Watch5 series.