Samsung has officially announced that their upcoming smartwatch, known as the Galaxy Watch 6, will be released later this year. One of the notable features of this new device is its support for notifications related to atrial fibrillation (AFib).
In the announcement, Samsung revealed their plans to introduce support for Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications, specifically targeting 13 markets worldwide. The rollout will begin with the launch of One UI Watch 5, which is currently in beta. Eventually, this updated software will be made available for Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 4, and their variants.
The Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications feature on the Galaxy Watch will monitor vital signs for indications of AFib, a common heart condition that can lead to more serious issues over time. While other brands like Fitbit already offer this functionality, Samsung is now joining the ranks by providing passive notifications on their Galaxy Watch devices. This feature utilizes similar hardware as the on-demand electrocardiogram (ECG) tests on the watch, which also aim to detect AFib.
Samsung has received clearance for this feature in 13 markets, including the United States, South Korea, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates.
Before implementing the feature on existing Galaxy Watch models, it will first debut on new hardware. Samsung confirmed that the upcoming Galaxy Watch devices will be the first to support this feature when they launch later this year. This aligns with the leaks and rumors surrounding the Galaxy Watch 6 series, which is expected to introduce a new chipset, updated designs, and a “Classic” model featuring a rotating bezel.