Samsung Galaxy Watch receives approval for sleep apnea detection feature

The FDA has granted clearance for a sleep apnea detection feature on the Samsung Galaxy Watch, paving the way for its inclusion in the Samsung Health Monitor app later this year.

The update will first roll out in South Korea before reaching US users in the third quarter.

To utilize the sleep apnea detection feature on the Galaxy Watch, users will need to wear the device while sleeping and monitor their sleep patterns twice within a 10-day period, with each session lasting at least four hours. The watch will track blood oxygen levels throughout the night, which can indicate breathing interruptions associated with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

Despite concerns about the reliability of smartwatches for health monitoring, major companies like Apple and Fitbit have also ventured into this space. Apple, for instance, is reportedly developing advanced health monitoring features for its next Apple Watch, including sleep apnea detection and hypertension monitoring.