QUICK READ: Galaxy Watch sleep apnea check adds three levels

Samsung’s sleep apnea feature now counts breathing disturbances per hour and sorts the results into three levels, instead of simply flagging their existence. The update starts in Korea in November on Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Galaxy Watch 9 and Galaxy Ring.

Samsung says the enhanced feature received US FDA clearance in July and has now been approved by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, according to its announcement on 28 October.
An AI algorithm analyses breathing disturbances per hour of sleep and reports them as mild, occasional, or frequent.
The feature runs in the Samsung Health Monitor app and requires at least two nights of five-hour or longer sleep within 10 days.
Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch 8 will get it later through a software update, provided they run Wear OS 7.0 or later.
The existing feature, which only detects signs of apnea, stays on Galaxy Watch 4 and later models running Wear OS 5.0 or later.
Samsung says the feature is for adults aged 18 and over with no previous sleep apnea diagnosis and does not replace a medical diagnosis.

What it means for us

Owners of a recent Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring can now see how often their breathing is disrupted at night, which is more useful to take to a doctor than a simple yes or no. Samsung points to the Galaxy Ring as the easier device to wear through the night, which helps because the check needs two full nights of data.

Samsung has confirmed the November start only for Korea. It hasn’t given dates for other countries, although the feature already has FDA clearance and the original version is available in 84 countries.

Quick answers

Which Samsung devices get the new sleep apnea feature?
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Galaxy Watch 9, and Galaxy Ring get it first, starting in Korea in November. Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch 8 follow later through an update once they run Wear OS 7.0 or later.

How much sleep data does Samsung's sleep apnea check need?
It needs at least two nights with five or more hours of sleep recorded within 10 days, measured through the Samsung Health Monitor app.

Last Updated on 29 October 2026 by tfk the5krunner

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Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
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Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
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Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
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tfk the5krunner

tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID