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Samsung Electronics has announced a new research collaboration with Stanford Medicine to further develop its Sleep Apnea feature available on Galaxy Watch devices. This initiative is aligned with World Health Day and part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the importance of sleep health.
With approximately 1 in 3 Americans using sleep tracking devices, interest in improving sleep quality is steadily rising. In response, Samsung is working to provide more proactive health solutions, particularly in addressing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — a common yet underdiagnosed condition. Samsung’s Sleep Apnea feature, which detects signs of moderate to severe OSA, has received De Novo authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — marking the first approval of its kind for wearable sleep apnea detection.
The feature was also previously approved by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and more recently by Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). It will become available to users in Brazil in late April, expanding the total number of markets to 29, with further global rollout planned.
To take the technology further, Samsung has partnered with Stanford University for a joint research study led by Dr. Robson Capasso and Dr. Clete Kushida. The project aims to enhance the Sleep Apnea feature by going beyond detection to offer daily AI-powered monitoring and sleep apnea management tools. The goal is to help users gain better insight into their sleep health and take informed steps toward improvement.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch currently uses a combination of sensors and algorithms to monitor sleep and detect patterns related to sleep apnea. The collaborative research with Stanford will explore new methods to refine these capabilities, ultimately supporting users with more advanced, personalized sleep health solutions.
Dr. Capasso emphasized the importance of ethically and scientifically validated technology in addressing serious sleep-related conditions, noting that smartwatches offer a user-friendly platform for widespread adoption. Dr. Hon Pak, Samsung’s Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team, highlighted that the collaboration aims to move beyond simple screening and toward meaningful, real-time health support through wearable devices.
As more people invest in tools to monitor and improve their sleep, Samsung’s partnership with Stanford signals a step forward in making smart, research-driven sleep care more accessible across the globe. Don’t forget to check out our Galaxy Watch 6 review!
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