Samsung upgrades sleep apnea detection on Galaxy wearables

Samsung announced on 28 October 2026 that Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved an upgraded version of its sleep apnea detection feature for Galaxy Watches and the Galaxy Ring. The revised feature uses an AI algorithm to quantify breathing disruptions and sort results by frequency instead of only flagging possible moderate to severe cases.

Regulatory approvals and global availability

Samsung first secured approval for a sleep apnea detection feature in Korea in 2023 and received De Novo authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration in early 2024. The company says the original feature expanded to 84 countries. The upgraded version received FDA approval in July and now also has MFDS approval in Korea, the company said on 28 October 2026.

How the upgraded detection works

The upgraded feature applies an AI algorithm to count the number of breathing disruptions per hour during sleep. Results are sorted into three frequency-based levels: mild, occasional, or frequent. The feature is available through the Samsung Health Monitor app on a compatible Galaxy device. To obtain a result the app requires at least five hours of recorded sleep on two separate occasions within a ten day period.

Device compatibility and rollout schedule

• In Korea the upgrade will roll out starting in November to the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Galaxy Watch9, and Galaxy Ring.
• Samsung will deliver the feature to Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Watch8 devices running Wear OS 7.0 or later via software updates.
• The original detection feature, which only indicates whether signs of sleep apnea were detected, remains available on Galaxy Watch4 and newer models running Wear OS 5.0 or later.

Samsung noted the Galaxy Ring's light and comfortable form factor supports overnight wear and therefore helps the device gather the sleep data the upgraded algorithm needs.

Clinical context and guidance

Samsung cites the US National Sleep Foundation, which estimates about 25 percent of men and 10 percent of women in the United States have sleep apnea, with many unaware of the condition. The company says the app's results can serve as a useful reference when discussing symptoms and next steps with a medical specialist.