Samsung brings upgraded sleep apnea risk detection to Galaxy Ring after FDA and Korean approvals
The updated algorithm, cleared by the US FDA in July and now approved by Korea's MFDS, reports the level of breathing disruptions rather than only a risk flag, and Samsung says it is the first sleep apnea risk detection on a smart ring.
Why it matters
Samsung's original sleep apnea feature received FDA De Novo authorization in February 2024 for detecting signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea on a watch. The updated version runs in the Samsung Health Monitor app on Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring and needs as little as two nights of monitoring within a 10-day period. It is an over-the-counter software feature meant to prompt conversations with clinicians, not a diagnosis. Samsung says it will expand availability to more countries.
Key facts
- FDA clearance for update: July 2026
- Korea MFDS approval received
- Works on Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring
- Needs two nights within 10 days
- Original feature: FDA De Novo, Feb 2024