Samsung’s new wearable steals Apple Watch 4’s hottest features

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Apple Watch Meidcare
That includes a life-saving ECG app.
Photo: Apple

Samsung’s newest wearable will steal some of Apple Watch Series 4’s hottest features. The upcoming Galaxy Watch Active 2 is expected to get an ECG app as well as fall detection.

The device will be capable of detecting atrial fibrillation — a common heart condition — and of sharing heart data with physicians and other health professionals, a new report claims.

Apple Watch was the first of a small number of wearables that give wearers the ability to take ECG recordings anytime, anywhere. The groundbreaking feature has been credited with effectively detecting AFib — and possibly saving lives — for countless Apple fans.

It’s no surprise, then, that other smartwatch-makers are now scrambling to catch up. Samsung will be the next to bring an ECG app to its newest wearable, according to SamMobile.

Galaxy Watch Active 2 will offer ECG

“Our sources reveal that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will take a page out of the Apple Watch Series 4’s book and feature an ECG app,” reads the report. “It will enable users to take an electrocardiogram from their wrist.”

This functionality gives users a priceless insight into their heart rhythm faster and more conveniently than ever before. It can alert you if it detects an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), which could be a sign of AFib — a rather common but serious heart condition.

The American Heart Association says that at least 2.7 million people are living with AFib in the United States alone. The condition can lead to a number of heart-related complications, including blood clots, stroke, and heart failure, which could be fatal.

Samsung will include fall detection, too

SamMobile also reports that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will also offer fall detection — just like Apple Watch.

“If the device detects a hard fall while it’s on the wrist, it will display an alert on the screen and also vibrate to nudge the user. They can use one-tap options to either contact emergency services or dismiss the alert.”

If the watch does not get a response from the user within a certain time, the Watch Active 2 will automatically call the emergency services — and alert the wearer’s emergency contacts.

Galaxy Watch Active 2 could land in August

It’s not yet clear when the Watch Active 2 could make its official debut. There is a chance we’ll see it during Samsung’s big Galaxy Note 10 event in New York City on August 7 — if it’s ready by then.

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