Samsung’s Galaxy Ring Gains FDA Nod for AI‑Powered Sleep Apnea Tracking
Samsung’s upgraded Galaxy Ring can now count hourly breathing disruptions using AI, after receiving FDA clearance.
Samsung announced that its Galaxy Ring now includes an AI‑driven sleep apnea detection feature, following FDA clearance in July.
The upgraded function counts breathing disruptions for every hour you sleep, allowing the Health Monitor app to classify apnea as mild, occasional or frequent—provided you log at least five hours of sleep on two nights within a ten‑day span.
Samsung notes that a physician must confirm any diagnosis, but the data “can lead to productive conversations with healthcare professionals.”
Earlier this year, Samsung received De Novo FDA authorization for sleep apnea detection on its Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring, covering only moderate to severe cases.
Neither Oura nor Superhuman, the Ring’s main competitors, have FDA‑approved apnea detection, though they can track nighttime disturbances that may hint at the condition. Samsung and Oura are also embroiled in a patent dispute over smart‑ring technology, with a preliminary ruling pending.
The AI‑enhanced detection will debut on the Galaxy Watch 9 running Wear OS 7.0 or later, and will be back‑ported to the Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 8 through future software updates. Samsung also refreshed its Sleep Coaching feature to operate with reduced data requirements.
