Samsung Galaxy Ring Gains Advanced FDA-Approved Sleep Apnea Detection

Samsung's Galaxy Ring now offers advanced sleep apnea detection, following FDA approval of the new feature in July. This upgraded capability utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to detect the number of breathing disruptions a user experiences for every hour they sleep, according to Engadget.

Samsung initially received De Novo FDA authorization for sleep apnea detection on both its Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring devices in February 2024. De Novo authorization is a pathway for health products or features that are new to the market and do not pose any inherent danger to a user's health. The original approval specifically covered the detection of symptoms associated with moderate to severe sleep apnea.

The new version not only retains the previous detection capabilities but also employs AI to identify the frequency of breathing disruptions per hour during sleep. If a user sleeps for at least five hours on two nights within a ten-day period, Samsung's Health Monitor app can provide an indication of whether they have mild, occasional, or frequent sleep apnea. Samsung emphasizes that while the device can lead to "productive conversations with healthcare professionals," only a physician can provide a proper sleep apnea diagnosis.

Notably, neither of Samsung's primary Galaxy Ring competitors, Oura and Superhuman, currently offer FDA-approved sleep apnea detection, though both can track nighttime disturbances that may suggest signs of the condition. Samsung and Oura are presently involved in a legal dispute concerning smart ring patents, with a preliminary decision anticipated soon. This advanced sleep apnea detection feature is also available on the Galaxy Watch 9 with Wear OS 7.0 or later and is slated to be rolled out to the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch 8 through future software updates. Samsung recently revamped its Sleep Coaching feature to require less data than before.

What to watch: Further software updates for older Galaxy Watch models.

Editor's note: Accurately details the Galaxy Ring's FDA-approved sleep apnea features, competitor standing, and software rollouts.