Samsung aims to expand its digital health presence by focusing on aging consumers and rising healthcare costs. The company plans to enhance its Galaxy Watch with new health features designed to support users as they age, according to Hon Pak, vice president of Samsung’s digital health team.
“Increasing chronic diseases and higher care costs are shifting healthcare to the home,” Pak said. Samsung sees this trend as an opportunity to grow in the digital health market and compete with Apple, whose Apple Watch dominates the smartwatch sector with about 20% market share compared to Samsung’s 6%, per IDC data.
Samsung’s upcoming smartwatch software update, launching in beta this month for the Galaxy Watch 5 and newer devices, will introduce features like antioxidant level measurement. This operates by emitting LED lights on the skin to estimate beta carotene levels, an antioxidant found in vegetables like carrots and spinach. The feature has undergone clinical trials to validate its accuracy.
Additional updates include personalized sleep recommendations and a “running coach” that creates customized training plans. Samsung is also developing an AI-powered health chatbot, though details remain undisclosed.
Pak highlights Samsung’s advantage in integrating health technology into the home ecosystem, building on its existing appliances and entertainment products. He envisions future innovations, such as AI-enabled smart glasses that can monitor eating habits or detect allergens by analyzing meals visually.
Despite these advancements, Samsung’s smartwatches are not compatible with iPhones—limiting their reach given Apple’s significant market share. Pak noted ongoing but inconclusive discussions about potential collaboration with Apple in the future.
Samsung’s strategy marks a shift towards preventative healthcare, aiming to offer users insights on nutrition, sleep, and exercise to maintain wellness before chronic conditions arise. This positions Samsung to better compete in a market where wearable tech serves as both fitness companion and health monitor.