Samsung Health
| Company type | Software application |
|---|---|
| Industry | Health informatics, Fitness |
| Founded | July 2, 2012 |
| Founder | Samsung Electronics |
| Products | Health monitoring app |
| Parent | Samsung Electronics |
Samsung Health is a complimentary app created by Samsung Electronics designed to monitor multiple facets of everyday health, including physical exercise, nutrition, and sleep patterns.
Initially introduced on 2 July 2012,[1][2][3] alongside Samsung’s then flagship device, the Galaxy S3, the software came pre-installed on select Samsung smartphone models. Users can also obtain it through the Samsung Galaxy Store or the Google Play Store.
History
Beginning in mid-September 2015, this application became accessible to all users running Android. From 2 October 2017 onward, it was made available for iPhones operating on iOS version 9.0 or later.
On certain Samsung phone models, the app is preloaded and cannot be uninstalled without root access; however, users have the option to disable it.
The app was renamed from S Health to Samsung Health on 4 April 2017 coinciding with the release of version 5.7.1.
Dashboard
The dashboard serves as the primary interface of the application, introduced as a significant enhancement in the April 2015 update with version 4.1.0. It presents a consolidated overview of the latest recorded data on a single screen, while also offering quick navigation to various functionalities. Users can tailor both its structure and arrangement to suit their preferences.
Features
Certain functionalities are monitored through testing with built-in phone sensors or compatible accessories such as Fitbit, Galaxy Active, and Galaxy Fit, whereas other features rely on manual user entries like food intake, weight, and water consumption.
Core Features
- Setting personalized objectives or utilizing app-recommended goals to enhance performance
- Pedometer functionality
- Weekly reports summarizing key metrics
- Tracking physical activities including market walks and sports sessions
- Dietary tracking for calorie and nutrient intake
- Weight monitoring
- Sleep analysis
Additional Features
- Step count rankings across different groups (overall users, specific age brackets, or friends)
- Global step challenges
- Creation of custom step-based challenges
- Heart rate monitoring via specialized devices
- Water intake tracking
- Blood glucose monitoring
- Measurement of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) using Pulse oximetry through dedicated hardware
- Stress level assessment and tracking
Heart Rate Monitoring
The heart rate measurement feature debuted alongside the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S5, which includes an integrated sensor. This functionality is designed for spot checks conducted while at rest. The same sensor also supports measurements for Pulse oximetry and stress evaluation.
Moreover, the app is compatible with data from Samsung Galaxy Watches, allowing it to display heart rate readings collected by these devices.
Support extends to heart rate sensors from other manufacturers as well. The application can generate time-based graphs showing heart rate fluctuations during exercise sessions, along with statistics such as average and peak heart rates.
On devices including the Galaxy S5, S5 Neo, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10 and Edge models, plus the Galaxy Note 4, 5, 7, Fan Edition (FE), and 8, heart rate measurements are possible using the rear sensor of the device. However, this feature is not supported on Samsung Note 10 models or the Galaxy S10e.
Pedometer
Step tracking was integrated into Samsung Health starting with the release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 in April 2013.
The default daily target is set at 10,000 steps, a figure recommended by the World Health Organization as cited by the French Federation of Cardiology.
In addition to counting steps, the app calculates related metrics such as distance covered, calories burned, and steps taken at a brisk pace. According to the app’s criteria, maintaining a pace of at least 100 steps per minute for ten minutes qualifies as brisk walking.
From a visualization standpoint, users can view their data through various charts:
- A 24-hour histogram illustrating activity levels in 24-minute segments (dividing a day into 60 intervals)
- Trends displayed daily, weekly, and monthly showing average daily step counts
Users have the option to select their preferred data source—either smartphone-collected data or information gathered via compatible Samsung accessories.
Daily activity
This feature tracks daily movement quantified in minutes. The app automatically monitors running periods by detecting when the user exceeds one hundred steps per minute. The preset target is set at sixty minutes each day.
Users have the option to manually log exercise sessions such as running, walking, hiking, or cycling. Depending on the selected activity, details including distance covered, time elapsed, route mapping, elevation changes, heart rate, and calories expended will be documented.
The Samsung Health application fosters connections among users with similar interests, building a collaborative community that enriches the overall fitness journey.
Global challenges
Introduced at the end of May 2017 with version 5.9.0.029, global challenges span a duration of one month and require participants to accumulate 200,000 steps. Upon achieving this milestone by month's end, users are rewarded with a badge. Each challenge highlights an animal that provides various insights.
Below is a comprehensive list of all global challenges:
| Month and year | Name | Animal(s) |
| June 2017 | Broccoli | fox |
| July 2017 | Tomato | meerkat |
| August 2017 | Avocado | koala |
| September 2017 | Beach | turtle |
| October 2017 | Green tea | panda |
| November 2017 | Moonlight | owl |
| December 2017 | Snow | polar bear |
| January 2018 | Igloo | penguins |
| February 2018 | Spa | monkeys/orangutans |
| March 2018 | Jungle | parrots |
| April 2018 | Desert | |
| May 2018 | Lavender | deer |
| June 2018 | Broccoli | fox |
| July 2018 | Beach | turtle |
| August 2018 | Green tea | panda |
| September 2018 | Tomato | meerkat |
| October 2017 | Moonlight | owl |
| November 2018 | Avocado | koala |
| December 2018 | Snow | polar bear |
In subsequent years, these global challenges recur following the sequence established in the year 2018.
See also
References
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