Samsung’s updated Sleep Apnea feature now works on the Galaxy Ring, and Samsung says that makes it the first company to bring sleep apnea risk detection to a smart ring. The feature also runs on supported Galaxy Watch models, and it arrives after Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approval, following U.S. FDA clearance in July.

It lives inside the Samsung Health Monitor app. Samsung describes it as a way to spot possible signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea, and it is clear that the tool does not replace a diagnosis by a qualified clinician.

What does the updated feature do?

The new algorithm looks at vitals during sleep in more depth than the earlier version. The old version only reported whether risk signs were present, while the update also gives an idea of how strong the breathing disruptions were.

  • Runs in the Samsung Health Monitor app on a compatible Galaxy wearable and phone
  • Described by Samsung as an over-the-counter, software only mobile medical application
  • Intended for people 18 years and older
  • GSMArena reports that it counts breathing disruptions per hour and sorts the result into mild, occasional or frequent

How long does it take to get a result?

Samsung says the feature needs two nights of valid data within a 10-day period, and that it is meant for on-demand use. GSMArena adds that each of those nights needs at least five hours of recorded sleep. Samsung argues this low data requirement suits a ring that is light enough to wear every night.

Which devices support it?

  • Galaxy Ring
  • Galaxy Watch 9 running Wear OS 7.0 or higher
  • Galaxy Watch 7 and 8, through future software updates, according to Samsung

GSMArena reports that the Korean rollout starts in November on the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Ring. The original version of the feature worked on Galaxy Watch4 and newer models running Wear OS 5.0 or later, and Samsung says it is available in 84 countries.

Prices

Samsung’s announcement does not list a price for the updated feature, and the other sources we read do not either. The Galaxy Ring itself is sold separately, and Samsung has not said that the feature needs a paid add on. Because it is software, access depends on your wearable, your phone and your country, so check those before you plan a purchase around it.

Who it suits

Galaxy Ring wearers. If you already sleep with the ring on, this adds a screening option without a new device. Samsung points out that a lightweight ring encourages nightly wear, which matters when the feature depends on two valid nights.

Galaxy Watch 9 owners. You can use the update today on Wear OS 7.0 or higher. Samsung says people can pick the device that fits their lifestyle, watch or ring.

Galaxy Watch 7 and 8 owners. Support is promised through future updates, with no date given in the sources. Check your watch for software updates over the coming weeks.

People already diagnosed, and anyone under 18. Samsung says the feature is not for people previously diagnosed with sleep apnea, and it is intended for users 18 years and older.

What is still unknown

Samsung says it will keep widening availability so more people around the world can use it, but it names no countries or dates beyond the approvals in the United States and Korea. GSMArena notes the same gap. The original feature received U.S. FDA De Novo authorization in February, 2024, and Tom’s Guide reported in July that the Galaxy Ring would be the first FDA-cleared smart ring for sleep apnea detection.

Next step

Open the Samsung Health Monitor app and the Samsung newsroom post to see whether your phone and wearable are supported in your country. If you are worried about your breathing during sleep, talk to a qualified clinician rather than relying on a wearable alone. Samsung itself says the feature is a way to start a more productive conversation with healthcare professionals, not a replacement for one.