As wearable technology evolves, Samsung is considering a premium subscription model for its Galaxy Watch Health features. The company appears to be taking a strategic step to monetize its growing portfolio of AI-powered wellness tools, which have been central to its ecosystem updates this year.
Samsung wants to offer more advanced health coaching
According to Hon Pak, Samsung’s senior vice president and head of digital health, the company is “exploring” the idea of paid subscriptions that would unlock “advanced coaching” for Galaxy Watch users. These premium features could include personalized insights into nutrition, stress management, and preventive care. Samsung’s broader vision is to support users in maintaining healthy habits, even when life gets hectic.
New AI-backed features could be behind a paywall
At its recent Unpacked event, Samsung introduced four new health features—Bedtime Guidance, Vascular Load monitoring, Running Coach, and the Antioxidant Index. Each one aims to give users a deeper understanding of their health, using AI to offer real-time feedback and recommendations. These tools are already available in the One UI 8 Watch beta, but for now, they remain free.
However, Pak hinted that this might change. He emphasized that Samsung’s health mission involves meeting users “where they are,” but it’s clear that a monetization model is being considered. While pricing details or subscription tiers are still unknown, Samsung could officially announce its plans later this summer.
A shift towards personalized, AI-driven health
The move aligns with broader industry trends where companies like Apple and Fitbit are also adding more AI-driven wellness tools behind paywalls. For Samsung, the key will be balancing value and accessibility to retain user trust while expanding its health platform’s capabilities.