Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Watch 7 may get a new health feature that can warn users if they’re at risk of certain diseases.
Android Authority recently did a deep dive into the latest update to the Samsung Health app and found evidence of something called the AGEs (advanced glycation end products) Index. According to a screenshot of the detection tool, AGEs are compounds that the body creates when “proteins and fat molecules are oxidized by sugar molecules.”
AGEs accumulate as people age and can be used to predict a person’s risk of developing certain “age-related diseases” or conditions, including but not limited to diabetes, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes. It is possible to measure these compounds noninvasively, as a study from 2022 revealed that “some AGEs can be fluorescent and yellow-brown in color,” allowing them to be detected without the need for a blood or tissue sample.
Does this mean the Galaxy Watch 7 series will pack new sensors to enable AGEs detection? Perhaps. While evidence suggests the smartwatch will support the technology, it’s difficult to say for sure whether this will be a feature. Especially considering the “Labs” listed next to AGEs Index, suggesting it’s an experimental feature.
Glucose monitoring
Android Authority also found a menu page in the Samsung Health app update titled “Continuous Glucose Monitoring,” but it was completely blank and didn’t provide any other information.
Rumors of Samsung wearables supporting blood glucose monitoring have been circulating since January. The feature was initially earmarked for the Galaxy Ring, but a report in April claimed the Galaxy Watch 7 would get the same feature. Despite the evidence, it’s still too early to say whether blood glucose monitoring will be included or not.
The tech giant said in early 2024 that “noninvasive glucose monitoring could arrive in some form within five years.” Samsung is clearly interested in implementing the technology into its devices, though it appears users will have to wait a while before it becomes a reality.
Share family health
In addition to the AGEs tool, Android Authority discovered lines of code that reference “family health data sharing” between Galaxy Watches. The feature would allow family members to “exchange health data with each other for effective monitoring.” The publication successfully activated the UI, and gained insight into how the sharing could work.
Screenshots show that there are built-in privacy controls. People can stop sharing or “change… how much they share at any time.” Data can be reviewed before it’s sent, and is automatically deleted if the account is inactive for 90 days.
Parents and guardians will have the ability to view their child’s health data collected through a Galaxy Watch, as long as they meet the requisite requirements. Permission must be granted, and the wearable must be connected to a smartphone signed in to the child’s Samsung account. Android Authority makes an interesting observation: there’s no indication that family data sharing will be a feature exclusive to the Watch 7 series. It’s possible that the software will roll out to earlier generations.
As with any leak, take this information with a grain of salt. We won’t have to wait long to find out more, as Samsung is holding its next Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10.
While you wait, check out Ny Breaking’s list of the best smartwatches for 2024.