Pretty much everybody can appreciate the numerous benefits of good health (and the many downsides of the opposite). Good health is such a priority for many people that there's a whole market of smartphone accessories that focus heavily on that—smartwatches, and the widening smart ring market.
While being equipped with these devices tends to provide enough basic health info for most people, some people might want more. This is where Samsung sees an opportunity. Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring users are likely very familiar with Samsung Health, and while it has been free for a long time, Samsung might have plans for a paid tier.
Samsung Execs Hints at a Potential Paid Tier for Samsung Health
I try my best to be active, though I'm honest enough to admit that I'm not the most consistent. I do know a lot of people who are a lot more dedicated in that regard, and for many of them, every single bit of information they can get about their health serves as an opportunity to tweak their regimen and further improve their well-being. For smartphone users, wearables and their companion apps are a great way to see the basics.
Samsung's wearables, such as the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring, paired with Samsung Health, provide a wealth of information about your health and performance. However, there are a lot of people who want more than just the basics, and Samsung knows that. The head of the Digital Health team, Dr. Hon Pak, made it known that the OEM is exploring premium subscriptions in Samsung Health.
Why, you ask? Well, the One UI 8 Watch update will bring a bunch of new features, including:
- Antioxidant Index
- Bedtime Guidance
- Vascular Load
- Running Coach
While the update will go as far back as the Watch 5, some features will only be available on the newer models, like the Watch Ultra. A paid subscription tier gives the company a reason to support some of these more advanced features on older devices (provided they have the required hardware).
Samsung Isn't the Only Digital Health Provider With Premium Plans
Before you pull out the pitchforks and torches, it's important to realize that if Samsung follows through with its plan for a premium Samsung Health subscription, the free tier will still be in place and will likely maintain all the features it currently has.
On top of that, Samsung certainly won't be the only digital health platform that offers a paid plan. Companies like Fitbit and Garmin have companion platforms for their wearables, and each of those has a premium option. There shouldn't be much for Samsung people to complain about with that in mind.
| Name | Monthly Price |
| Garmin Connect+ | $6.99 |
| Fitbit Premium | $9.99 |
| Oura Membership | $5.99 |
Samsung Health would merely be joining a club with several other players in it, so hopefully, if it chooses to follow through with a premium plan, it'll be priced sensibly. The South Korean OEM is a better-known brand than the others, which should give it the opportunity to price a little more competitively.
