Samsung unveils new Galaxy Watch tools for sleep & fitness

Samsung has unveiled a suite of new features for its upcoming Galaxy Watch series and Samsung Health app aimed at assisting users in developing and maintaining healthier habits across sleep, fitness, heart health, and nutrition.

New features introduced

The new offerings include Bedtime Guidance, a personalised Running Coach, and an Antioxidant Index, all accessible in the One UI 8 Watch platform. These features will be available to users of the latest Galaxy Watch series, with early access provided to a limited group of users through a beta programme.

Samsung states that the intention behind these updates is to make it easier to build effective daily habits. The company outlines how small routine changes—though sometimes slow to manifest results—can accumulate to create significant improvements to overall well-being.

Sleep remains a cornerstone of our approach to health, as it influences physical and mental well-being, social relationships and even work performance. Now, we envision our Galaxy Watch delivering holistic insights centered around sleep—insights that lead to meaningful changes in daily life. We believe this aligns with our vision of empowering you to lead healthier lives through proactive care and holistic health management.

This perspective was shared by Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, Mobile eXperience at Samsung Electronics. The company is emphasising both incremental change and proactive motivation for health improvements.

Bedtime Guidance

The Bedtime Guidance feature analyses a user's sleep over the preceding three days, using this information to suggest an optimal bedtime designed to maximise alertness the following day. The tool factors in variations in sleep schedules, such as differences between weekday and weekend sleep patterns, and provides reminders to help maintain consistency. Samsung notes that this may prove especially helpful for users who struggle to adhere to a regular bedtime after periods of irregular sleep habits.

According to Samsung, "A single night of restful sleep offers immediate health benefits, encouraging more proactive behaviour changes and leading to a healthier tomorrow. This starts with a regular and optimal bedtime." The company elaborates that advances in their sleep-related tools now include not just pattern analysis and coaching, but also personalised recommendations for sleep timing.

Running Coach

Key among the fitness updates is the Running Coach, tailored to guide individuals safely through various levels of distance running, including 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon events. Designed to reduce the risk of injury and help runners progress, the coach requires users to wear their watch for a 12-minute run. Based on this session, the programme assesses the user's current running level on a scale from 1 to 10 and then provides a corresponding training plan. Successful completion of each training stage unlocks further running challenges and higher training levels.

Samsung commented, "Many runners face injuries due to over-pacing or are not optimally pushing themselves. Running Coach is designed to help runners safely complete marathons through optimised-intensity and injury-preventive training, making it ideal for beginners."

Antioxidant Index

The Antioxidant Index seeks to give insights into users' nutritional status by measuring carotenoids in the skin. Carotenoids, found in green and orange vegetables and fruits, are antioxidants that help neutralise free radicals. Samsung indicates that lifestyle aspects such as alcohol consumption, smoking, UV exposure, stress, and lack of sleep can affect antioxidant levels and that improving diet can reflect positively in the index.

Samsung explains, "Use Galaxy Watch to measure carotenoids, which are antioxidants found in green and orange vegetables and fruits, stored in your skin. These insights reflect behavioral changes—for example, drinking carrot juice can show changes in the index—providing motivation to adopt healthier habits."

Availability and device compatibility

The new features will reach users of the Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic, and Galaxy Watch Ultra in 2025. Early access is available via a beta programme for a limited range of users, primarily those with the Galaxy Watch5 or later in certain regions.

Samsung specifies that the Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health are not medical or therapeutic devices and are designed solely for fitness and wellness purposes. Users are advised to consult with a medical professional before starting any exercise regime.

The newly announced features are compatible with Android smartphones running version 10 or higher for Running Coach and Antioxidant Index, and version 11 or higher for Bedtime Guidance, with the Samsung Health app version 6.30.2 or later required.

Samsung states that the combination of small changes, such as those encouraged by these new features, can make a significant difference in long-term health outcomes.