Samsung Electronics has launched its upgraded Sleep Apnea feature for the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch 9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, following regulatory approvals in both the United States and South Korea. The rollout, which began on November 3, 2026, introduces a sophisticated grading system that moves beyond simple risk alerts to categorize breathing disruptions during sleep.
The updated “v2.0” algorithm received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance in July 2026 and Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approval earlier today. With this launch, the Galaxy Ring becomes the first smart ring globally to offer regulatory-cleared sleep apnea risk detection.
Unlike standard sleep tracking, which often provides general data on sleep stages or restlessness, this feature specifically monitors blood oxygen levels for signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The updated software now provides a three-tier classification of breathing disruptions: Mild, Occasional, and Frequent. This replaces the binary “at-risk” notification used in earlier versions of Samsung’s sleep software, which first received De Novo authorization in February 2024.
To generate a result, the system requires specific data collection. Users must wear their device for at least two nights of sleep, recording at least five hours of data for each night within a 10-day window. According to Samsung, the tool is intended for adults aged 18 and older who have not previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
The technology is designed to help users identify potential signs of moderate to severe OSA, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Samsung emphasizes that the feature is a screening tool to facilitate conversations with healthcare providers rather than a replacement for clinical sleep studies or a formal medical diagnosis.
The feature is currently available for the Galaxy Ring and select Galaxy Watch models. The feature currently requires devices running Wear OS 7.0 or later for smartwatch functionality.
This rollout places Samsung ahead of primary competitors in the smart ring market, such as Oura, which lack specific FDA clearance for sleep apnea risk detection as of late 2026.
