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Samsung Already Critiques Apple Watch's Challenges in Monitoring Blood Oxygen Levels

The Galaxy Watch 7 is promoting advanced health tracking capabilities ahead of Unpacked, whereas Apple might delay some health-related features of its Watch Series 10.

Gizmodo's contributor, Florence Ion, has shared some information.
Gizmodo's contributor, Florence Ion, has shared some information.

Samsung Already Critiques Apple Watch's Challenges in Monitoring Blood Oxygen Levels

Samsung has only a couple of days left to hypype up watch enthusiasts about its upcoming foldable devices and health-focused wearables, anticipated to unveil at Samsung Unpacked 2024. To excite fans about the Galaxy Watch 7 and the rumored Galaxy Watch Ultra, Samsung is taking aim at Apple's reported difficulties in creating health monitoring technology for the Apple Watch 10.

On Sunday, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple Watch 10 might encounter delays as Apple grapples with refining its upcoming health-sensing feature. Apple aims to create a sensor to monitor high blood pressure, but anonymous sources told Gurman that it hasn't proven as reliable as anticipated. The feature may only offer a vague sense of your overall blood pressure rather than a specific, accurate reading.

On Monday, Samsung hinted at its forthcoming Galaxy Watch's health and wellness features by boasting about its new "BioActive Sensor," which is more compact while offering enhanced performance with combined photodiodes and an increased number of LEDs. In an official announcement, the Galaxy Watch manufacturer declared that the sensor can more accurately measure health metrics such as heart rate, sleep quality, blood oxygen levels, and stress levels.

The new watch is expected to feature an "Advanced Glycation End Products Index," providing an overall understanding of how your current diet and lifestyle impact your metabolic health. The next watch includes additional health monitoring features, with the company claiming heart rate monitoring will be 30% more accurate than the Watch 6.

Samsung seems to be depending on Gurman's predictions as much as Apple's devoted followers. The mention of blood oxygen monitoring serves as a subtle dig at Apple, which is still wrestling with the controversy surrounding health tech company Masimo Corp. Masimo accused Apple of stealing its blood oxygen sensing technology. Masimo's complaint before the International Trade Commission forced Apple to halt its blood oxygen sensor development indefinitely. Gurman pointed out that a planned sleep apnea feature on the next Apple Watch won't materialize until Apple can either resolve its dispute with Masimo or present a convincing case before the ITC.

Bloomberg's Apple expert previously championed the Watch 10 as the "Watch X," highlighting how this incarnation was intended to be a significant departure from previous models. The most notable addition last year to the Apple Watch 9 was the "double tap" gesture, while useful, wasn't exactly groundbreaking enough to define a new era of wearables. Due to these issues in developing health sensing technology, Gurman suggested that Apple may delay certain Watch 10 features until 2025 and even consider celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025 instead of the seemingly daunting 2024.

Nonetheless, both companies will showcase new watch sizes. The Galaxy Watch 7 might offer 40- and 44-mm watch face options. Meanwhile, the Series 10 versions, whether they sport an "X" in their name or not, will feature larger screen sizes to choose from, according to Bloomberg. One will boast a 49mm screen, similar to the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2.

In terms of the Ultra, Samsung will likely debut a significant new watch at Unpacked, set to challenge Apple's expensive and rugged watch model. Although there have been fewer rumors about a new, more affordable Samsung Watch FE, Gurman confirmed the existence of an Apple Watch SE update. This upcoming version from Apple could be even cheaper than the 2022 $250 model.

Despite Apple's challenges with developing reliable high blood pressure monitoring technology for the Apple Watch 10, Samsung is confident in its upcoming Galaxy Watch's health features, especially its new BioActive Sensor. In the future, tech enthusiasts might look forward to advanced health monitoring capabilities in both Samsung's foldable devices and the company's future tech, like the tech-savvy Apple Watch 10 and Apple Watch SE updates.

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