Samsung is considering introducing a premium subscription model for its Samsung Health platform, potentially charging users a monthly fee for advanced features as it prepares to launch One UI 8 Watch in July with the next Galaxy Watch.
Currently, all Samsung Health features are free, but Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health at Samsung, revealed in an interview with CNET that the company is exploring a subscription-based approach, similar to Garmin Connect Plus or Fitbit Premium. While basic features are expected to remain free, advanced functionalities may soon require a monthly fee.
The upcoming One UI 8 Watch update introduces several new health features to Samsung Health, including Bedtime Guidance, Vascular Load, Running Coach, and Antioxidant Index. It is possible that these advanced features, or future ones, might be included free with premium devices such as new Galaxy Watches and potentially Galaxy Rings, while users with older models might need to subscribe to access these enhanced capabilities.
A beta program for the new Samsung Health features is currently underway in the US and South Korea, and is accessible on watches as old as the Galaxy Watch5 series. However, the availability of certain features depends on the device’s hardware, specifically its advanced LED sensors. For example, Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index are exclusively available on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, while the Running Coach feature will be compatible with the Galaxy Watch7 and newer models.
Notably, Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index are being introduced as “Labs features,” indicating their experimental status as early previews before a stable release. This suggests that Samsung is testing these features with a select group of users before deciding on their final form and availability.
