{"id":194896,"date":"2025-06-18T16:56:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T16:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/194896\/"},"modified":"2025-06-18T16:56:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T16:56:11","slug":"samsung-may-lock-some-future-galaxy-watch-features-to-a-subscription","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/194896\/","title":{"rendered":"Samsung May Lock Some Future Galaxy Watch Features to a Subscription"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unlike rival devices, Galaxy Watch owners have been able to get access to all of the company\u2019s compatible health features for free through Samsung\u2019s Health app. That may be about to change as the company has said it\u2019s considering a new premium subscription.<\/p>\n

In an interview with CNET<\/a>, Dr. Hon Pak, head of the Digital Health team at Samsung, said the company is considering its options, and it may choose to offer a similar service to Garmin Connect Plus or Fitbit Premium. These services lock away select fitness features behind a monthly subscription fee.<\/p>\n

Pak is clear that the company is currently just thinking about possible options, but it may be we see a premium add-on come sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

If Samsung were to copy Garmin and Fitbit’s lead, it may mean that everyday fitness features like step count, heart rate tracking, body composition , and workouts are all available on a free tier, while more intensive features are only available with the subscription. For example, Fitbit locks guided workouts and advanced insights behind its Premium subscription.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere in CNET’s interview, Pak talks about new features Samsung is readying for launch. Those include a new noninvasive blood test for measuring antioxidant levels, better personalized sleep coaching called Bedtime Guidance, and AI-powered run assessments with live feedback.<\/p>\n

There’s also a new cardiovascular health assessment feature that uses pulse wave analysis and some of your watch’s optical sensors to look for strain and arterial stiffness. Samsung can use this data to distill that into a score to tell you whether your habits are contributing to a risk of heart disease.<\/p>\n

All of these new features will soon be available for free to select users through the company\u2019s One UI 8 Watch beta. That’s only available in the US and South Korea, plus you need to sign up to potentially buggy software to get access.<\/p>\n

Recommended by Our Editors<\/p>\n

Although Samsung has yet to make a final decision on the possibility of a premium subscription, it may be that some of these features are the first to go behind the paywall.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s expected Samsung will introduce a Galaxy Watch 8 before the end of 2025, and it may even debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Fold Ultra<\/a>. Those foldable phones are rumored to be landing at some time in early July. If Samsung does introduce a new wearable, we may hear about premium Galaxy Health during the same launch.<\/p>\n

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About James Peckham<\/p>\n

\n Reporter\n <\/p>\n

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I\u2019ve written tech news for over a decade, and as a Reporter at PCMag, I cover the latest developments across the gadgets and services you use every day. Previously, I worked for Android Police, TechRadar, and more.<\/p>\n

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