Galaxy Watch8 Becomes a 'Health Companion' with Enhanced Precision Sensors

From Heart Rate and Skin Temperature to Antioxidant Index Monitoring
Enhanced Electrocardiogram Monitoring... Now Detects Ectopic Beats
Sleep Management Possible with Bedtime Guidance
"Helping Users Form Healthy Habits... Leading the Future of Healthcare"

Samsung Electronics is strengthening the sensor technology of its Galaxy Watch lineup. The company aims to help users develop healthy habits and enable preventive management by measuring a variety of physical indicators. Based on this biometric data, Samsung also plans to build a healthcare ecosystem that connects users to medical services.

At a briefing held on the morning of August 7 at the company headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, Sung Min Choi, Executive Vice President of the Health Hardware Development Group at Samsung Electronics Mobile Experience (MX) Division, stated, "Through advanced watch sensor technology, we want to help users form healthy habits and detect abnormal signs early for prevention." He added, "Samsung Electronics will continue to lead the future of healthcare and provide a better health management experience."

Sung Min Choi, Senior Vice President of the Health Hardware Development Group at Samsung Electronics Mobile Experience (MX) Division, is presenting at a briefing held on the morning of the 7th at the company headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Samsung Electronics

Since 2013, Samsung Electronics has been developing wearable sensors and algorithms, first introducing them in the Galaxy Gear. Wearable sensors measure health indicators such as heart rate, sleep, and stress, integrating this information to provide a comprehensive health overview. The Galaxy Watch analyzes data collected through its sensors to help users form healthy habits and enables early detection and prevention of potential health risks.

Samsung Electronics designs the sensors in the Galaxy Watch to be compact and precise. In 2021, the company introduced the '3-in-1 BioActive Sensor' in the Galaxy Watch4 series, integrating three existing sensors?an optical heart rate sensor (PPG), an electrical heart sensor (ECG), and a bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)?into a single chip. To achieve this, Samsung Electronics redesigned the sensor layout to combine the three sensors into one chip.

In 2022, the company introduced non-contact infrared-based skin temperature sensing technology. Last year, new LED colors (blue, yellow, purple, ultraviolet) were added, enabling monitoring of health indicators such as advanced glycation end-products. The Galaxy Watch8 series, released this year, features improved design and wearability to enhance detection accuracy.

Samsung Electronics' sensor technology is being improved through partnerships. Notably, the BIA sensor has even been used to monitor the health of SpaceX astronauts.

According to Samsung Electronics, the Galaxy Watch8 series enables preventive health management based on these sensor technologies. The bedtime guidance feature utilizes the 'Two-Process' sleep model. After the user wears the watch and records sleep for three days, the feature analyzes biological rhythms (circadian clock) and sleep pressure (fatigue) to calculate the optimal bedtime and help users develop healthy sleep habits. This algorithm was co-developed with a research team at KAIST and clinically validated through Samsung Medical Center.

The antioxidant index measurement feature, applied to a smartwatch for the first time in the world, uses the BioActive Sensor to measure the level of carotenoids?an antioxidant in the body?in just five seconds, indicating whether the level is insufficient or adequate. Skin carotenoids serve as an indicator of vegetable and fruit intake and can be referenced for cancer and chronic disease prevention. This indicator shows how dietary habits, ultraviolet exposure, alcohol consumption, and stress affect the user's health. For example, consistent salad consumption is praised, while excessive drinking triggers a warning.

Samsung Electronics Galaxy Watch8 series and Galaxy Watch Ultra. Galaxy Watch8, Watch8 Classic, Galaxy Watch Ultra. (from top) Provided by Samsung Electronics

Cardiovascular health measurement features have also been enhanced. Vascular stress is assessed by measuring photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals related to blood flow during sleep, which evaluates the health of the vascular system. By measuring blood volume and arterial stiffness, the watch provides information on changes in vascular stress. These values vary depending on factors such as diet, stress, and rest, allowing users to improve their lifestyle habits and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease through monitoring.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring function has also been improved and can now detect ectopic beats. Ectopic beats are irregular heartbeats that are difficult to detect even during regular checkups, and frequent occurrences can lead to atrial fibrillation, increasing the risk of stroke and heart failure. By detecting ectopic heartbeats, the watch provides analysis results on irregular heart rhythms and helps users manage their heart health.

In addition to technology development, Samsung Electronics is also working to create a healthcare ecosystem. The acquisition of the U.S. healthcare company Xealth earlier last month is part of this effort. Xealth provides various digital healthcare solutions on a single platform, enabling medical staff to comprehensively assess patient conditions, prescribe or recommend digital healthcare solutions, and monitor patients' health status in real time.

Samsung Electronics plans to utilize the Xealth platform to provide connected care services that link biometric data measured by wearable devices to professional medical services.