[World Sleep Day] How Samsung Is Tackling Sleep Apnea to Energize Your Days – Samsung Global Newsroom

Millions worldwide suffer from sleep apnea, but 80% of sufferers¹ don’t even know they have it. This serious condition causes people to experience pauses in breathing while asleep — potentially disrupting oxygen supply, lowering sleep quality and leading to health complications including hypertension and stroke. Despite these risks, the disorder largely goes unnoticed because getting a diagnosis usually requires time-consuming and costly in-lab sleep studies.

To mark World Sleep Day 2026, a global study of Samsung Health users² is shedding new light on the true extent of sleep apnea and the disruptive impact it has on sleep. Aligned with this year’s World Sleep Day theme, “Sleep Well, Live Better,” Samsung Electronics is turning the invisible signs of the condition into actionable insights through the Galaxy Watch series, helping those affected improve their sleep habits and overall health.

How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Sleep?

The report found that 23% of study participants were at risk of sleep apnea.

“The microarousals and awakenings that follow breathing pauses fragment your sleep,” said behavioral sleep scientist Dr. Vanessa Hill. “Those occurrences can prevent the brain from staying in the rapid eye movement (REM) and deep sleep stages necessary for cognitive and physical restoration.”

The report showed these constant disruptions take a direct toll on sleep duration and quality, leading to:

• Reduced REM Sleep: Participants with moderate to severe sleep apnea indicators detected by Galaxy Watch got around four minutes less REM sleep, the phase where the brain processes emotions, consolidates memories and cements learning. Without enough of it, people can experience mood instability and memory problems, impacting performance at work and overall well-being.
• Less Deep Sleep: Sleep apnea also robs sufferers of deep sleep — approximately eight minutes less per night on average. This is the body’s critical physical restoration phase, where growth hormone is released, muscles are repaired and the immune system is activated. Losing deep sleep may leave people feeling physically exhausted, experiencing slower recovery times and getting sick more often.
• Frequent Nightly Awakenings: Participants with signs of sleep apnea also woke up more regularly during the night and stayed awake around four minutes longer. These interruptions derail the sleep cycle, locking people into lighter, less restorative stages and making next-day exhaustion inevitable, no matter how long they slept.
• Shorter Sleep Duration: Overall, people with a higher likelihood of sleep apnea averaged around 12 minutes less sleep. While this loss may seem minor, it can significantly impact sleep quality as sleep cycles become fragmented throughout the night.

Why It Matters: “Even a small loss in sleep duration is compounded by a larger loss of sleep quality,” said Dr. Hill. “This can be the difference between simply being ‘in bed’ and getting restorative rest, which could be why people feel so tired the next day.”

Dr. Hill also advocates a multidimensional approach to sleep health. “Sleep apnea affects many dimensions of sleep — duration, quality, sleep efficiency and even daytime fatigue,” she added. “Together, they help determine our health and functioning.”

With sleep apnea shown to impact multiple aspects of sleep and lead to other health complications, detection is an essential first step in the fight against the condition.

How Does Galaxy Watch Help Detect Signs of Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea?

For years, sleep apnea has been difficult to detect due to the need for inconvenient hospital tests. However, Samsung offers at-home detection with a first-of-its-kind Sleep Apnea³ feature on Galaxy Watch.

• How It Works: Users simply track their sleep with a compatible Galaxy Watch⁴ for more than four hours on two nights within a ten-day period. Available through the Samsung Health Monitor app, the Sleep Apnea feature enables users to proactively spot signs of the condition. Initially launched in Korea, the feature has since received De Novo authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now available in 78 markets⁵ worldwide and counting.
• The Technology: Leveraging Galaxy Watch’s BioActive Sensor, the feature tracks blood oxygen levels to determine when the user stops breathing (apnea) or experiences shallow breathing (hypopnea). Based on this data, the feature estimates the user’s Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which indicates the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• From Awareness to Action: By detecting signs of sleep apnea early, the feature provides the data needed for an informed consultation with a medical professional. In addition to tackling sleep apnea, Galaxy Watch can help users build habits for better holistic sleep health. Features include the Sleep Coaching program for detailed analysis and tips on how to improve sleep quality and Bedtime Guidance,⁶ which recommends optimal bedtimes to ensure consistent sleep.

“For years, the inconvenience of an in-lab clinical sleep study has been a barrier to diagnosing sleep apnea,” said Dr. Hill. “Wearable technology such as Galaxy Watch is a breakthrough because it democratizes that first step, allowing people to gather meaningful data from their own beds and providing a starting point for a conversation with a healthcare professional.”

Take Control of the Night

A good night’s sleep is the first step toward a healthier, more energized life, and Samsung is here to help guide users. Samsung’s ecosystem offers end-to-end care, from detecting signs of sleep apnea on Galaxy Watch to providing suggestions to seek professional advice.

Looking ahead, Samsung is constantly innovating and improving the Sleep Apnea feature to make it even more powerful with sharper insights. Prioritizing rest today can help unlock a healthier tomorrow.