Samsung's Galaxy Watch 7 could warn users if they are at risk of heart attacks, strokes, etc.

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Watch 7 could get a new health feature that could alert users if they are at risk of certain diseases.

Android Authority recently took a deep dive into the latest update to the Samsung Health app and found evidence of something called the Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) index. According to a screenshot of the detection tool, AGEs are compounds the body forms when “proteins and fat molecules are oxidized by sugar molecules.”

AGEs accumulate as we age and can be used to predict a person’s risk of developing certain “age-related diseases” or conditions, including but not limited to diabetes, kidney failure, heart attacks, and strokes. It’s possible to measure these compounds non-invasively, as a 2022 study found that “some AGEs can be fluorescent and yellow-brown in color,” allowing them to be detected without a blood or tissue sample.

Does this mean the Galaxy Watch 7 series will include new sensors for AGE detection? Maybe. While evidence suggests the smartwatch will support the technology, it’s hard to say if this will be a feature. Especially considering that it says “Labs” next to the AGEs index, suggesting it’s an experimental feature.

Glucose monitoring

Android Authority also found a menu page titled “Continuous Glucose Monitoring” in the Samsung Health app update, but it was completely empty and didn’t provide any further information.

Back in January, Samsung wearables were rumored to support blood sugar monitoring. Initially, the feature was intended for the Galaxy Ring, but an April report claimed that the Galaxy Watch 7 might be capable of it. Despite this evidence, it’s still too early to say whether or not blood sugar monitoring will be possible.

The tech giant said in early 2024 that “noninvasive glucose monitoring in some form could be available within five years.” Samsung is clearly interested in incorporating the technology into its devices, although it looks like users will have to wait a little longer for it to become a reality.

In addition to the AGEs tool, Android Authority discovered lines of code that reference “family health data sharing” between Galaxy Watches. This feature would allow family members to “share health data with each other to enable effective monitoring.” The publication successfully activated the UI and provided insights into how the sharing might work.

Screenshots show there are built-in privacy checks. Users can stop sharing or “change how much they share” at any time. Data can be previewed before sending and is automatically deleted if the account is inactive for 90 days.

Parents and guardians will have the option to view their child’s health data collected through a Galaxy Watch, provided they meet the necessary requirements. They must obtain permission and the wearable must be connected to a smartphone logged in to the child’s Samsung account. Android Authority makes an interesting observation: there is nothing to suggest that family data sharing will be an exclusive feature of the Watch 7 series. It is possible that the software will be rolled out to previous generations as well.

As with any leak, you should take this information with a grain of salt. We won’t have to wait long for more, as Samsung is hosting its next Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10.

While you wait, check out TechRadar’s list of the best smartwatches for 2024.

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