Samsung introduced sleep apnea tracking on the Galaxy Watch in 2023 and the feature is now available in 84 countries. Now, the company is upgrading it with a new feature that tracks how often your breathing is disrupted per hour while you sleep.
Galaxy Watch Sleep Apnea Feature Upgraded in South Korea
As per the official Samsung South Korea newsroom, the upgraded Sleep Apnea version uses an AI algorithm to count how many times your breathing is disrupted per hour while sleeping. It then places the result into one of three levels:
- Mild
- Occasional
- Frequent
To get a result, users will need to wear their Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring for at least 5 hours of sleep on two nights within 10 days. The feature works through the Samsung Health Monitor app and is meant for adults aged 18 and above who have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea before.
That said, Samsung makes it clear that the feature is not a replacement for a doctor’s diagnosis. It is meant to help users spot possible warning signs early, so they can consult a doctor if needed.
The upgraded feature will first roll out in South Korea starting November 2026, with the following rollout plan:
| Phase | Supported devices |
|---|---|
| First (from November) | Galaxy Watch 9, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Galaxy Ring |
| Later (via software update) | Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch 8 and other models with Wear OS 7.0 or later |
| Existing feature (signs of moderate to severe apnea) | Galaxy Watch 4 and later with Wear OS 5.0 or later |
Samsung says the Galaxy Ring is light and comfortable to wear while sleeping, which makes it easier to collect data overnight.
For context, sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. If left untreated, it can lead to high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat and even stroke. According to the US National Sleep Foundation, around 25% of men and 10% of women in the US have sleep apnea, and many don’t even know it.
“Sleep apnea is a sign that is hard to notice in daily life,” said Choi Jong-min, Head of the Health Development Group at Samsung’s MX Business. He added that Samsung will keep working on features that help users spot risks early and manage their sleep health.
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