The Samsung Galaxy Watch sits beside Apple and Pixel as a cleared-cardiac smartwatch in DEPLOY's biometric cohort, with an adjacent Galaxy Ring extending Samsung into the ring form factor (Oura's territory) without cleared features.
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The US-cleared features are real: ECG (2021), AFib detection (2023), and sleep-apnea detection (De Novo, February 2024), held by the Samsung Health Monitor app, with no subscription.
The Galaxy Watch 7 anchors at about $300 (41mm, Bluetooth); the Watch Ultra is pricier, and the adjacent Galaxy Ring is a separate biometric device. It is a hardware purchase with no subscription.
Availability
Shipping now
The Samsung Galaxy Watch is shipping and consumer-available (Galaxy Watch 7, Watch Ultra, and the Galaxy Ring, all July 2024). It is a hardware purchase with no subscription.
Real-world status
The Samsung Galaxy Watch is a biometric-primary smartwatch whose BioActive sensor combines optical heart rate, electrical ECG, and bioimpedance. Its FDA-cleared features (held by the Samsung Health Monitor app) include ECG (2021), AFib detection (2023), and sleep-apnea detection (De Novo, February 2024), with no subscription. A within-entity verified-vs-claimed exemplar: Samsung's blood-pressure feature is cleared in Korea and several other markets but NOT in the US, where it remains wellness-grade; DEPLOY surfaces that market-specific clearance variance rather than implying a US clearance. The adjacent Galaxy Ring is a separate biometric form factor with no ECG and no FDA-cleared features.
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The within-entity verified-vs-claimed exemplar: Samsung's blood-pressure feature is cleared in Korea and several other markets but NOT in the US, where it remains wellness-grade. Do not read Samsung BP as a US-cleared measurement; clearance is market-specific.
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The adjacent Galaxy Ring (July 2024) is a separate biometric form factor (accelerometer, optical HR, skin temperature for sleep, heart rate, and an Energy Score) with no ECG and no FDA-cleared features, Samsung's wellness-grade answer to Oura.
Biometric watches: Samsung vs Apple vs Pixel
Samsung Galaxy Watch
Apple Watch
Google Pixel Watch
Price
From ~$300
🟢verified
From $399
🟢verified
$349-$399
🟢verified
FDA cleared (US)
ECG + AFib + sleep apnea
🟢verified
ECG + sleep apnea + hypertension
🟢verified
Loss-of-pulse De Novo + ECG
🟢verified
Market-specific
BP cleared abroad, not US
🟢verified
SpO2 disabled then re-enabled
🟢verified
US-focused
🟢verified
Subscription
None
🟢verified
None (cleared)
🟢verified
Optional Premium
🟢verified
Maker
Samsung
🟢verified
Apple
🟢verified
Google
🟢verified
Sources: DEPLOY registry, Samsung / FDA, Apple / FDA, Google / FDA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Samsung Galaxy Watch?
The Galaxy Watch 7 anchors at about $300 (41mm Bluetooth)🟢verified; the Watch Ultra is pricier. A hardware purchase with no subscription. The Galaxy Ring is a separate device.
What is FDA-cleared on the Samsung Galaxy Watch?
ECG (2021), AFib detection (2023), and sleep-apnea detection (De Novo, Feb 2024)🟢verified, held by the Samsung Health Monitor app, in the US.
Does the Samsung Galaxy Watch measure blood pressure?
Cleared in Korea and other markets, but NOT in the US🟢verified, where the blood-pressure feature remains wellness-grade, not an FDA-cleared measurement.
What is the Samsung Galaxy Ring?
An adjacent biometric ring (sleep, heart rate, Energy Score)🟢verified with no ECG and no FDA-cleared features, Samsung's wellness-grade answer to Oura.
How does the Samsung Galaxy Watch compare to Apple and Pixel?
Samsung clears ECG, AFib, and sleep apnea in the US🟢verified; Apple adds hypertension (broadest), and Pixel has first-of-kind loss-of-pulse. Samsung's BP is cleared abroad, not US.
Pricing and availability are tagged verified or claimed against primary sources. Manufacturer targets are reported as targets, not prices you can pay today.