Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 ECG monitoring gets clearance

May 25, 2020 04:48 GMT  ·  By

Samsung is working hard to make its smartwatch lineup a better alternative to the likes of Apple Watch, and this weekend the company made a huge step in this regard.

The electrocardiogram monitoring, or ECG, feature of the Galaxy Watch Active2 has officially received clearance from the South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, only a month after the government also approved the blood pressure measurement on the device.

So right now, the Galaxy Watch Active2 has a new pair of health features that make it one of the most advanced smartwatches on the market.

Needless to say, this doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll be getting these new capabilities right away. Samsung says the Health Monitor app, which will include ECG and blood pressure readings, will land in the third quarter of the year.

Supported models

Only the Galaxy Watch Active2 will get it for now, but the company explains that the upcoming Galaxy Watch devices will ship with the new features out of the box.

Using the ECG feature on the Galaxy Watch Active2 works pretty much in the same way as it does on the Apple Watch.

“Simply open the Samsung Health Monitor app when you are seated comfortably, and ensure the watch is fitted firmly to your wrist. Next, rest your forearm on a flat surface and lightly place a fingertip from the opposite hand on the top button on the Galaxy Watch Active2 for 30 seconds. The app will then measure your heart rate and rhythm, which will be classified as either a Sinus Rhythm (a normal, regular heartbeat) or AFib (when the heart beats irregularly),” Samsung explains.

A video (also embedded below) shared by Samsung shows the new feature in action ahead of its scheduled debut later this year.