Millions worldwide suffer from sleep apnea, but 80% of sufferers 1 don’t even know they have it. This serious condition causes people to pause breathing while asleep, potentially disrupting oxygen supply, lowering sleep quality, and leading to health complications including hypertension and stroke.
Despite these risks, the disorder largely goes unnoticed because getting a diagnosis usually requires time-consuming and costly in-lab sleep studies. To mark World Sleep Day 2026, a global study of Samsung Health users is shedding new light on the true extent of the condition and the disruptive impact it has on your sleep.
Aligned with this year’s World Sleep Day theme, “Sleep Well, Live Better,” Samsung is turning the invisible signs of sleep apnea into actionable insights through its Galaxy Watch series, helping those affected improve their sleep habits and overall health.
How Does Galaxy Watch Help Detect Signs of Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea?
For years, sleep apnea has been difficult to detect due to the need for inconvenient hospital tests. However, Samsung offers at-home detection with a first-of-its-kind Sleep Apnea feature on your Galaxy Watch.
How It Works: Users simply track their sleep with a compatible Galaxy Watch for more than four hours over two nights within a ten-day period. Available through the Samsung Health Monitor app, the Sleep Apnea feature enables users to proactively spot signs of the condition. Initially launched in Korea, the feature has since received De Novo authorization from the U.S. FDA and is now available in 78 markets worldwide and counting.
The Technology: Leveraging the Galaxy Watch’s BioActive Sensor, the feature tracks blood oxygen levels to determine when the user stops breathing (apnea) or is not breathing enough (hypopnea). Based on this data, the feature estimates the user’s Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which indicates the severity of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA).
From Awareness to Action: By detecting signs of sleep apnea early, the feature provides the data needed for an informed consultation with a medical professional. In addition to tackling sleep apnea, your Galaxy Watch can help you build habits for better holistic sleep health.
Features include the Sleep Coaching program for detailed analysis and tips on how to improve sleep quality and Bedtime Guidance, which recommends your optimal bedtime to ensure you
consistently get enough sleep.
