Samsung recently announced the upcoming One UI 8 Watch update, which will debut with the next Galaxy Watch in July. This update brings exciting new features to Samsung Health, including Bedtime Guidance, Vascular Load, Running Coach, and Antioxidant Index. Until now, Samsung Health has been free for all users, but this might soon change. 
Samsung is reportedly considering a premium subscription model for its health platform, following in the footsteps of competitors like Garmin Connect Plus and Fitbit Premium.
In an interview with CNET, Dr. Hon Pak, Senior VP and Head of Digital Health at Samsung, shared that advanced features on Samsung Health might eventually be locked behind a subscription paywall, leaving basic features still free for all users. This premium access could also be bundled with the purchase of certain Galaxy Watch models, particularly the premium models like the Galaxy Watch Ultra or potentially the Galaxy Rings, while older models may require users to pay for access to these advanced health tools.
Currently, new Samsung Health features introduced with the One UI 8 Watch update are available in a beta program in the US and South Korea for watches as old as the Galaxy Watch5 series. However, access depends on whether the watch is equipped with advanced LED sensors. For example, features like the Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index are only available on the Galaxy Watch Ultra, while Running Coach will work with the Galaxy Watch7 or later models. It’s worth noting that these new features are still in an experimental phase, categorized as Labs features, meaning users will get early access to them before they are finalized.
While some users may be fine with the basic features of their Samsung Health app, the potential shift to a subscription model raises concerns among others. Many users are expressing frustration with the idea of paying for services that were previously free, especially when it comes to health features that they consider essential.