South Korean electronics company Samsung has unveiled its latest wearable devices, the Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Galaxy Ring, aiming to capitalize on the mass adoption of personalized health technology.
Personalized health technology in the form of consumer gadgets has grown at a rapid pace over the last decade since the first Apple Watch was released in 2015.
From consumer med tech devices, to phone apps, to wearable accessories like watches, bracelets, rings, patches – these devices track and analyze biometric data like heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, sleep quality, and fitness goals, granting users greater control over their health.
According to a study published by Mayo Clinic, nearly 1 out of 5 Americans use wearable devices daily. Another study by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) estimated that nearly half of Americans own a wearable device.1
Their use is also becoming mainstream within the professional healthcare space. PwC predicts that soon, such devices will be mandatory for millions of workers in the health or fitness fields.
It’s not just wearable devices in themselves that is getting people excited, but rather their integration with artificial intelligence.
Samsung, which announced the new products on July 10, has equipped the new devices with AI (artificial intelligence) features, a potential game changer for achieving “holistic health.”
Samsung’s Junho Park, VP and Head of the Galaxy Ecosystem Product Planning Team, was excited about the product’s potential to reach people globally.
“At Samsung, our goal is to deliver health and fitness monitoring capabilities to as many people globally as possible, aiding them in making daily changes to enhance their wellness and achieve their goals,” said Junho Park, VP and Head of the Galaxy Ecosystem Product Planning Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are thrilled to add the Galaxy Watch FE to our wearables portfolio, giving more people access to personalized health insights that motivate them to stay healthier day and night,” he stated in a press release.
The move follows the company’s release of its first AI-powered smartphone released six months ago.
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AI in Wearables
Machine learning and artificial intelligence will soon be compatible with most wearable devices.
A study in the Journal of Personalized Medicine described the role of machine learning as maximizing the potential of wearable devices for personalized health tracking.
“Recent advances in the development of wearable devices have showcased the integration of machine learning algorithms to enable personalized health monitoring and intervention systems. These systems leverage advanced algorithms to process data from various sensors embedded in wearable devices, such as strain gauges, plastic optical fibers, actuators, and electrochemical sensors, to provide personalized health insights and interventions,” the researchers wrote.2
The new Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Galaxy Ring, priced at $650 and $400 respectively, utilize AI to analyze biometric data collected from the wearer, providing customized health assessments and real-time recommendations for users.
Samsung's AI analysis even uses an “energy score” system that rates well-being on a scale from 1 to 100, functioning much like a virtual fitness coach.
Most of this data analysis occurs on the devices themselves, with more complex processing handled through secure and private data centers.
According to a forecast from research firm Gartner Inc., the smart watch market is expected to record a global sales revenue of $29 billion – around 164 million watches – this year, partly due to the AI upgrades.2
“Holistic Health Insights:” Galaxy Watch Ultra’s Health Tracking Capabilities
The Galaxy Watch Ultra not only offers the usual assortment of health tracking features, but also includes the ability to detect conditions such as sleep apnea, a feature not available in its ring counterpart. The smartwatch also boasts a long battery life of up to six to seven days, reducing the frequency of recharging.
In a market dominated by Apple, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra could capture a larger share of health-conscious consumers who do not own Apple products or who are not a fan of the company.
According to the company, 60 million users currently utilize the Samsung Health app, which works alongside Samsung's smartwatches to enhance health monitoring,
Galaxy Ring: Simplified Health Tracking
The Galaxy Ring, though less feature-rich than its watch version, offers a comfortable and unassuming way to monitor one’s health, without worrying about appearing neurotic.
Its extended battery life and smaller form make it an attractive option for those seeking easy and discreet health tracking. However, the ring's compatibility is limited to devices running Google's Android operating system, which potentially excludes a significant portion of the market that uses Apple’s iOS.
All data collected by the ring is sent to and stored in the Samsung Health App, which is free to access.
Samsung’s entry into the smart ring market makes them the first electronics/tech giant to break into the space, differentiating them from other competitors like Apple, Google, and Microsoft (although Apple appears to have its own smart ring on the way).
The market for smart rings is still emerging, dominated by startups like Oura and RingConn. With Samsung’s established brand and advanced AI capabilities entering the market, it could be a sign that smart rings will soon blow up.
According to Gartner Inc., sales of smart rings are expected to grow from $2.4 billion this year to $4.6 billion by 2028.3
A Snapshot of Wearable Devices
Samsung's latest wearables can be seen as part of a shift towards personalized medicine within the health tech industry, where AI and advanced sensor technology offer individuals tailored insights into their health.
This shift allows users to take proactive steps in managing their well-being, from monitoring heart rates to analyzing sleep patterns, and charting overall fitness goals.
Patients using wearable devices can also discuss the data with their doctor, which could lead to important diagnoses and health discoveries.
When comparing the Samsung Galaxy Watch series with other smartwatches on the market, we must consider various factors such as health features, ecosystem integration, design, and battery life. Here are some of the top smartwatches for health purposes and how they compare:
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch Series
Samsung Galaxy watches use advanced Bioactive Sensor Technology for biometric monitoring.
Notably, the devices monitor blood pressure, ECG, and heart rate through HR alert and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification, which allows users to identify arrythmias like atrial fibrillation or tachycardia.
The device also contains advanced sleep tracking and sleep coaching functions, body composition analysis, tracking for over 100 different workouts, and a personalized heart rate zone to optimize fitness progress.
The watch exists within the Samsung ecosystem, so Android users will benefit the most.
The device’s Sapphire Crystal glass material is also very durable.
2. Apple Watch Series (Series 8, SE, Ultra)
The Apple Watch series offers an ECG app that monitors the heart rhythm for arrythmia. In addition, the watch enables fitness tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, and sleep tracking capabilities.
The device integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, and contains a wide range of health and safety features, and health and fitness apps. Apple watches tend to have a higher price point – especially its Ultra model. The Apple Watch is only compatible with iPhones.
3. Garmin Venu Series and Forerunner Series
Garmin watches offer advanced sleep monitoring and Body Battery energy monitoring. They also include exercise metrics such as pulse ox sensor for blood oxygen saturation, stress and hydration tracking functions, V02 max and fitness age estimates, and workout or other performance metrics.4
The watches are also praised by athletes and outdoors enthusiasts for their long battery life.
Some downsides are its bulkier design, and its somewhat less intuitive interface compared to Apple and Samsung alternatives.
4. Fitbit Sense and Versa Series
The Fitbit watches contain an ECG app and EDA (electrodermal activity) stress sensors. Notably, the watch has skin temperature monitoring capability, which is an important metric for metabolic and thyroid health.
The devices also allow for comprehensive sleep tracking with Sleep Score, Heart Rate monitoring with notifications for irregular rhythm, and fitness tracking capabilities with over 20 exercise modes.
Fitbit is known for its focus on health and wellness. It also integrates well with both Android and iOS platforms, which makes it more accessible.
It has received some complaints over its less vibrant app ecosystem, and its less dependable battery life.
5. Withings ScanWatch
Some key health features of the Withings ScanWatch include its medical-grade ECG and SpO2 monitoring, sleep monitoring with sleep apnea detection, and activity and fitness tracking.
It has a hybrid design with analog watch face and smart features, as well as a very long battery life (up to 30 days).
Critics have noted its limited smart features compared to other fully digital smartwatches.
Conclusion
With the release of the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Ring, Samsung aims to be a key player in the personalized health tech and wearable device market. These AI-powered devices promise an efficient means to monitor key health parameters and obtain key health and wellness insights. The data can also be shared and discussed with medical professionals, giving patients a way to take control of their health.
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Key Takeaways:
- Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Ring, both featuring AI technology to enhance personalized health management.
- The use of wearable health devices has surged, with nearly 1 in 5 Americans using them daily. These devices monitor various biometric data and are becoming mainstream in both consumer and professional healthcare spaces.
- Samsung's new wearables use AI to analyze biometric data, providing customized health assessments and real-time recommendations.
- Samsung aims to capture a larger share of health-conscious consumers. The Galaxy Ring is Samsung's entry into the emerging smart ring market.
- Samsung's wearables are compared with other top health-focused smartwatches like the Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, and Withings.
- The release of these devices marks Samsung's push to leverage AI for health monitoring.
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