Samsung is preparing a major update for its smartwatches. Advanced new health features will soon be available. But they might not be free for everyone.
The upcoming One UI 8 Watch version marks a new milestone for Galaxy Watches. Already in the testing phase, this update promises a series of new health features. Some analyze sleep precisely, while others go so far as to measure vascular stress or antioxidants present in the body. But according to the latest official statements, these new features might not be available to all users, nor without conditions. In an interview with CNet, Samsung confirmed that it is considering a Samsung Health subscription, similar to Fitbit Premium or Garmin Connect Plus. The goal would be to keep the basic features free, such as the pedometer or heart rate, but to reserve the new advanced features for a paid plan. Bedtime Guidance, Vascular Load, and Antioxidant Index could be part of this future subscription. At this stage, no pricing or launch date has been announced. 
Samsung could reserve its new health features for subscribers and the most recent Galaxy Watch
These new features, introduced in the One UI 8 Watch beta, require the Samsung Health app version 6.30.2 or higher. Some features are already limited by hardware. For example, the Antioxidant Index relies on an optical sensor reserved for the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Vascular Load tracking is also reserved for Ultra watches and later, while the real-time running coach requires at least a Galaxy Watch 7. Samsung could therefore adopt a dual strategy: reserving certain functions for the new models, and locking others behind a subscription.
This development is part of a broader strategy by Samsung, which is exploring new paid models across its ecosystem. If the Samsung Health subscription becomes a reality, it could create a divide between recent users and older models. In addition, access to certain functions could depend on both the subscription and the hardware. For current users, the question is therefore simple: will you soon have to pay to take full advantage of your smartwatch?
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