Samsung could charge monthly FEE for top gadget owned by millions – and you'll miss perks if you don't pay
CUSTOMERS could be charged a monthly fee if they want to get their hands on Samsung's latest update.
The latest software in the tech giant's smart watch line introduces unrivalled health features, but also an update that could alienate millions of its existing users.
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Samsung announced its new One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watches on Monday.
The tech company is exploring the introduction of a premium subscription model, comparable to Garmin's Connect Plus and Fitbit Premium, according to senior vice president Hon Pak in an interview with CNET.
But who will be affected?
Well, with only one month until its official release, Samsung has yet to announce who will have to pay to access this functionality, and also how much it will cost.
Pak told CNET: "We believe wellness isn't just one thing. It's activity, nutrition, mental health, and sleep combined.
"What we really think we can do is bring this data about sleep, nutrition, activity and stress, and really contextualize it for the user," Pak added.
Samsung first launched its smartwatches with the Samsung Galaxy Gear in September 2013.
This watch update comes one year after the tech giant unveiled the Galaxy Watch 7, which retailed at £289.
The update will debut with the imminent release of the Galaxy Watch 8 series next month, but is currently undergoing a trial phase.
The One UI 8 Watch Beta Programme will be launched in select countries and will be accessible to those with compatible older watches.
Available in both the USA and South Korea for customers who enrol in the programme, the update will give them access to unprecedented health features before anyone else.
The update, once released, will give users a variety of health features, including a non-invasive Antioxidant Index check, Bedtime Guidance, AI Running Coach, and Vascular Load.
The reason behind having such innovative and unrivalled features is that the company aims to make a more proactive health monitor to help stand out in a market full of like-for-like fitness trackers.
Who gets these features?
The soon-to-be-released update and watch form part of Samsung's goal of making clinical-level insights accessible at home.
While the features will make an official debut with the arrival of the new Galaxy watch in July, it will be available on some older models.
The compatibility for each device will depend on whether it has advanced LED sensory, which will be essential to power these premium functions.
Therefore, more complex features, Vascular Load and Antioxidant Index, will be available only on any watch after and including Galaxy Watch Ultra, with the AI Running Coach available on the Galaxy Watch 7 or later.
How much does it cost?
It is not known how much this may cost.
The Sun has approached Samsung for a comment.
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