Samsung’s newest watches are less about simply monitoring your health and more about steering it towards your wellness goals — beyond providing data for users to react to, the line-up offers more proactive guidance so you can make the right moves at the right time. Tech experts across Southeast Asia and Oceania have been testing both the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 since the launch so read on for their verdicts on how the new line-up is performing.

Peak Performance: What Stands Out About the Galaxy Watch Ultra2?

Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is Samsung’s most rugged smartwatch, built for high-performance outdoor activities. Fino Yurio Kristo, Detik (Indonesia) wrote: “Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 with a premium, rugged titanium design built to withstand various conditions. Additionally, the device offers extended battery life, more accurate GPS, and enhanced performance, making it suitable for strenuous activities and long-distance adventures.”

Highlighting the device’s new diving capability, Justin Choo, Potions (Singapore) noted: “The original Galaxy Watch Ultra was built to survive rough conditions, but Samsung stopped short of recommending it for diving. The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 changes all that.” Echoing positive sentiments about the new underwater feature, Ken Chu, Ke En (Malaysia) added: “The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is a more practical companion for those who enjoy exploring underwater environments.”

Beyond the new advanced features, comfort of the Watch Ultra series has also been improved, with Fuzz.my (Malaysia) sharing on TikTok: “Now it’s even slimmer and & more comfortable to wear”. And after experiencing the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 for himself, Valens Quinn, GadgetGuy (Australia) highlights its “Faster chip, brighter screen, and bigger battery, all without a price rise”.

Everyday Wellness: How does the Galaxy Watch9 Perform as a Daily Health Companion

Galaxy Watch9 is built for all-day wear and designed to be an everyday health companion. Fino Yurio Kristo from Detik (Indonesia) emphasizes key enhancements: “The Galaxy Watch9 brings significant improvements to the daily health monitoring experience. Samsung has introduced a slimmer design that is comfortable for all-day wear, without compromising health monitoring capabilities.”

Kevin Low from Geek Culture (Singapore) noted that the watch offers new intelligent solutions to better support health and wellness, sharing that: “The Galaxy Watch9 features guidance tools that detect early warning signs in five key areas.”, with Ngo Tran Thinh, HTV (Vietnam) sharing the view that “what stands out is how AI interprets health signals to provide guidance that feels increasingly personalized.”

Features like Vitals[1] analyzes heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen saturation while users sleep, to establish a personalized health baseline and send alerts when significant deviations are detected. Izami Gadget (Malaysia) said “The new preventive health features make the Galaxy Watch9 feel more like a daily health companion.”

The Takeaway: One Wrist, Two Ways to Stay Ahead of Your Health

Droidsans (Thailand) sums up Samsung’s latest wearables, saying, “The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch 9 are smartwatches that are perfect for adventurers and health enthusiasts. Powered by Snapdragon chipsets, they offer AI processing for comprehensive health and fitness guidance.”

The new health features available on the Galaxy Watch line-up are designed to support preventive health management. The Galaxy Watch transforms complex biological data into simple personalized insights to help users better understand their bodies and take meaningful action across sleep, activity, cardiovascular health, and recovery. With the Galaxy Watch, users can access comprehensive health insights, enabling them to adopt a more proactive approach to wellness.

[1] Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. For personal reference only — please consult a medical professional for advice. Requires a compatible Samsung Galaxy phone, Samsung Health app v7.0 and Samsung account. Requires initial setup wearing the watch for 24 hours (including awake and asleep).

[2] Terms and conditions apply. Samsung Care+ coverage, service type and promotion details may vary by country/region and a deductible (service fee) may apply. To be eligible for Samsung Care+ promotion benefits, registration may be required.

[3] If you buy a new Galaxy foldable on Samsung.com and enroll in a monthly Samsung Care+ plan, your first three months of coverage are free.

[4] Free 60-day Strava subscription trial promotion is available worldwide, excluding Belarus, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, sanctioned parts of Ukraine and South Korea.

[5] Free 2-month iFIT subscription trial promotion is available only in the following 23 markets: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

We all strive to be the best version of ourselves – fitter, happier and healthier. Small changes to our daily routines, including changes to diet, sleep habits, and exercise, go a long way in helping us get the most out of work and play.

While the path to wellness is different for everyone, there’s nothing more important than to start focusing on our health from young.

Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch 4 series takes health and fitness data tracking to the next level, featuring a groundbreaking BioActive Sensor, which uses a single chip to precisely run three powerful health sensors, including Optical Heart Rate, Electrical Heart, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.

From monitoring blood pressure ^1A-B, taking electrocardiography (ECG) measurements ², measuring blood oxygen levels ³, and for the first time – calculating body composition ⁴ – read on to discover three ways you can make the most out of the cutting-edge data presented by the Galaxy Watch 4.

1. Get a good night’s sleep, everyday

Are you guilty of revenge bedtime procrastination? If so, is there a nagging thought in your head that it might be affecting sleep quality? You can now find out with the Galaxy Watch 4’s sleep analysis function.

The sleep analysis function has been a fan favorite for users of the Galaxy Watch series, and rightly so – a good night’s sleep is fundamental to our overall mental and physical health. In fact, in the past year, Galaxy Watch users have checked their sleep patterns more than 800 million times ⁵!

To give you a more comprehensive understanding of your sleep quality, the Galaxy Watch 4 tracks both your snoring and breathing patterns – so you can make informed decisions about your sleep to help you sleep longer and better.

The Samsung Health App ⁶ on your smartphone detects the sounds of your snores, while the Watch 4 checks your blood oxygen levels once every second ⁷. This data collectively informs your overall sleep score.

If you find yourself struggling to get a good night’s sleep based on your Watch 4’s readings, you can consider following these steps ⁸ to improve your sleep score:

• Establish a daily bedtime routine
  You sleep best when your body is used to falling asleep and waking up at a fixed time every day — even on weekends or holidays.
• Watch what you eat and drink before
  Avoid big meals, alcohol, caffeine, heavy, spicy, or sugary foods four to six hours before bedtime, as these foods stimulate the system, making sleeping difficult.
•  Create a good sleep environment for yourself
  Block out all distracting noises and lights. A room that is too hot or too cold can keep you awake. A cool environment is often the most conducive setting for sleeping.

2. Accurately track fitness and health goals through body composition

Many of us may be more familiar with relying on weighing scale readings as a general indicator of health – but there are limitations to this. Such readings do not consider the amount of muscle, fat, and water in your body tissues ⁹, unlike a more comprehensive body composition analysis.

For the first time in a Galaxy Watch, the body composition measurement tool on the Galaxy Watch4 brings a technology more commonly available in smart scales at the gym or at the clinic to your wrists!

Photo for illustration only.

This is enabled by Bioelectrical Impedence Analysis (BIA), which captures 2,400 data points, delivering results in about 15 seconds. Quality isn’t compromised either – with a correlation of 98%, the Galaxy Watch4’s BIA measurements are as accurate as those from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans ¹⁰, the gold standard of body composition measurements trusted by industry experts.

With these insights, you can now adjust your diet and activity levels to get your body composition measurements to a healthier range.

3. Monitor your key health indicators regularly

On top of advanced sleep and body composition tracking, Samsung’s Bioactive Sensor also monitors blood pressure ¹¹.

Generally, a healthy blood pressure reading should be lower than 120/80 mmHg, while a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher indicates high blood pressure ^12,13,14. This can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of developing kidney failure, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

To maintain healthy blood pressure, you can consider practicing the following lifestyle and diet habits ¹⁵:

• Moderate your sodium intake
  Studies have provided strong evidence that lowering sodium intake is beneficial in reducing blood pressure.
• Increase intake of fiber-rich food
  Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are high in fiber, magnesium, and potassium – beneficial foods that lower blood pressure. In addition, aim for two servings of fruits and two servings of vegetables per day.
• Limit fat intake
  Dietary fat is high in calories and excessive intake can lead to weight gain and increase your risk of developing high blood pressure. Use less oil when cooking and remove all visible fat before eating. Select healthier cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, and grilling instead of deep-frying.
• Limit alcohol consumption
  Frequent consumption of alcohol causes your heart to pump harder and faster, thereby increasing blood pressure. If you choose to drink, moderate your intake of alcoholic drinks to not more than one standard drink per day.

Ultimately, the simplest routines and habits can go a long way in helping us optimize our personal health and fitness. With the Galaxy Watch4, Samsung brings years of R&D and cutting-edge technologies to your wrist, providing advanced insights distilled into an easy-to-digest interface, guiding you towards making informed decisions that optimize your health, fitness, and overall wellness.

[1A] 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 app cannot diagnose hypertension, other conditions, or check for signs of a heart attack. This app can only be used for measuring in ages 22 and over. It is not meant to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.

[1B] Requires Samsung Galaxy Smartphone with Android 7 or later, and Samsung Health Monitor app which is available only at the Samsung Galaxy app store. Due to country restrictions in acquiring approval/registration as a medical device, Samsung Health Monitor app only works on watches and smartphones purchased in the countries where service is currently available.

[2] The ECG feature is only available in select markets.

[3] The Blood Oxygen (SpO2) feature is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Availability of this feature may vary by market.

[4] Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis, or treatment of any medical condition or disease. The measurements are for the user’s personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice. Do not measure your body composition if you have an implanted pacemaker or other implanted medical devices. Do not measure your body composition if you are pregnant. Measurement results may not be accurate if you are under 20 years old. Availability of this feature may vary by market.

[5] Samsung Galaxy Unpacked August 2021, at 5:20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ixp-XwqGI

[6] Availability of Samsung Health app differs across markets.

[7] Samsung Galaxy Unpacked August 2021, at 5:40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ixp-XwqGI

[8] Adapted from Ministry of Health, Singapore: 3 Ways to Improve Sleep Quality: https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1189/are-you-getting-quality-sleep

[9] Steven B. Heymsfield, M.D., Professor, Metabolism & Body Composition, Pennington Biomedical Research Center – 0:44 onwards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sFa6HWkseU

[10] Samsung Galaxy Unpacked August 2021, at 10:00: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ixp-XwqGI

[11] Availability differs across markets.

[12] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US: High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm

[13] Ministry of Health, Singapore: High Blood Pressure: Understanding Blood Pressure (BP) Readings https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/735/Understanding-Blood-Pressure-Readings

[14] Guidelines used to diagnose high blood pressure may differ with different healthcare professionals. Always consult a healthcare professional for guidance on healthy blood pressure range for yourself.

[15] Adapted from Ministry of Health, Singapore: High Blood Pressure: Healthy Eating Guide https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/609/High-Blood-Pressure-Healthy-eating-guide