Galaxy Ring and these Galaxy Watches will get improved sleep apnea detection

Sleep apnea detection has long been a feature on Samsung’s wearables. Watches as old as the Galaxy Watch 4 have offered sleep apnea detection, and the Galaxy Ring became the first FDA-cleared ring device for sleep apnea detection earlier this year. However, the company is now introducing a new, more advanced function that could prove helpful beyond just detecting signs of sleep apnea.

Samsung has announced that it received clearance from both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for the advanced sleep apnea feature.

Though Galaxy Watches as old as the Watch 4 can detect signs of sleep apnea, the new feature takes things a step further. The feature analyzes the number of breathing disturbances per hour during sleep. It then uses an AI algorithm to identify the level of breathing disturbances the user experiences while sleeping. The results are then displayed, with sleep disturbances categorized into one of three levels: mild, occasional, or frequent.

Samsung says the advanced sleep apnea function will start rolling out in November to users of the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, Watch 9, and Galaxy Ring in South Korea. It will also expand to older devices, such as the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 7, with future software updates.

Samsung hasn’t offered any information on the feature’s availability outside of South Korea. However, since the company already has FDA approval, it could roll it out in the US sooner rather than later.