Two functions are only available to a limited extent – Samsung comments
Too early happy: After a long wait, Samsung recently announced the ECG and blood pressure function for the Galaxy Watch 3 and another smartwatch. However, it now turns out that the practical features only work in conjunction with certain smartphones. Samsung has now made a statement.
Update, 02/13/2021: Samsung has meanwhile commented on the matter.
“It is important for us to offer the user a wearable that offers different functionalities and a high level of reliability. To use some functions, the wearable must be connected to a Samsung smartphone. For example, the Samsung Health Monitor app currently requires a connection to a Galaxy smartphone with the software level of Android 7.0 or higher, ”the group wrote to GIGA.
Original article:
Samsung users had to wait a long time for the ECG and blood pressure measurement that the South Korean manufacturer had promised for the launch of the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2. At the end of January, the relieving news: Even local owners should soon finally be able to enjoy the health functions, it said. But now there is disillusionment, because Samsung has significantly restricted the compatibility of the features.
Galaxy Watch 3 and Active 2: Blood pressure and ECG measurement only available on Samsung smartphones
Accordingly, the blood pressure and ECG measurement requires a paired Galaxy smartphone with Android 7.0 or higher, like Samsung in the Press release footnotes describes which presents the functions to the public. Samsung also points out under the item “Availability” that a Galaxy smartphone is required for both features.
For all owners of the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 who do not own a Samsung smartphone and who bought smartwatches for these features alone, these news are a slap in the face.
What to look for when buying a smartwatch:
Model Apple: Samsung wants to bind buyers to its own ecosystem
From Samsung’s point of view, the step makes sense, of course, because it binds more buyers to your own ecosystem. Apple is the role model here. On the other hand, the industry leader also advertises its smartwatches with the fact that they are not Samsung-exclusive, but work with all modern Android smartphones. It is even possible to interact with the iPhone. GIGA asked Samsung for an opinion.
