Earlier this week, Samsung announced the One UI 8 Watch, which will debut with the next Galaxy Watch coming in July. The One UI 8 Watch update brings new Samsung Health features, including Bedtime Guidance, Vascular Load, Running Coach, and Antioxidant Index. While Samsung Health features have been free to use until now, things could change going forward as the Korean brand is considering subscription plans for Samsung Health.
In an interview with CNET, Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health at Samsung, revealed that the company is exploring a premium subscription model for Samsung Health, similar to Garmin Connect Plus or Fitbit Premium, which would require Samsung Health users to pay a monthly subscription fee for advanced features. Basic features will likely remain free.
These new advanced features, which could require a subscription, might be included free with premium Galaxy Watches (and possibly even Galaxy Rings), while users of older models would have to pay to access them.
Right now, the new Samsung Health features introduced with the One UI 8 Watch are available through a beta program in the US and South Korea for watches as old as the Galaxy Watch5 series. However, their availability depends on whether or not your watch has advanced LED sensors.
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
For example, the Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index features are only available on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, while Running Coach will work with the Galaxy Watch7 or later. It’s also worth mentioning that Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index are being introduced as Labs features, meaning they are experimental features and are available as early previews before their stable release.
You can read more about the four new Samsung Health features here.