Samsung smartwatches are considered one of the best in the industry. I like my Apple Watch as well, specifically when it comes to health insights. It has FDA-approved metrics; however, one area of concern is heart rate reading.
Being near my 30s and based on the present world scenario, I want to stay alert about my health. This is why I used to trust my Samsung heart rate reading over anything, but lately, there have been some cases that caught my attention. I saw many reports stating that Samsung’s Heart rate reading is not accurate.
This can happen due to a number of reasons, which I will share below. Personally, I have been using it for quite some time now, and I have not seen any irregularities. With that said, if there are any health issues, I would suggest you get help from a doctor rather than relying solely on your smartwatch readings.
Why Your Samsung Watch Heart Rate Is Not Accurate?
You Have Not Worn Your Watch Properly
Much like other devices that take readings off your wrist or hands that tend to keep moving, if you have not worn your Samsung watch accurately, then unfortunately, it won’t capture your heart rate correctly. Smart watches, which are meant to measure your heart rate, are supposed to be worn tightly around your wrist. However, one time I wore it so tight that the reading was incorrect. Why might you be thinking?
Well, that is because wearing it too tightly can create pressure on the capillaries, which in turn affects the blood pressure. So, are you supposed to wear it loose? No, wearing it loose will not give you any reading and in most cases, again, incorrect reading.
Hence, wear it like your normal watch without it being too tight or too loose. I like to wear it exactly above my wrist so that the reading is correct.
Your Watch Is Dirty
If your watch is dirty, then there is no way that the reading will be accurate. Smartwatches like Samsung have sensors on the back that need to be clean for precise reading. Suppose they are dirty due to dust or your own sweat, then it is given that the reading will be wrong.
I take out time every week to clean my Samsung watch. This ensures that it gives me the correct reading and is also hygienic.
I take a soft and clean cloth, dampen it with some disinfectant and wipe over my watch, focusing on the sensors. With a few gentle rubs, your Samsung watch should be clean in no time.
It is Not Updated
You have probably heard that a smartwatch that is not updated properly does not function, and that is 100% true. When I used to rely on my Samsung watch, which was not updated, it performed poorly. Not only was it facing a lot of glitches, but it also did not work properly, and the heart rate reading was incorrect.
Thankfully, updating the Samsung Watch is not that hard, and you can do it directly from the watch. To do this, I go to Settings on my watch and click on General. If there are software updates, then there will be a banner for them. Click on it and let it update.
Also, I always ensure that it is well-charged or charging during the update so that the process is completed in one go without any interruptions. An updated software will give you accurate readings, and your watch will function as it should.
You Have tattoos or a Darker Skin Tone
Research has shown that heart rate readings from smartwatches can be less accurate for people with darker skin tones or tattoos. This is because both dark skin and tattoo ink contain pigments- such as melanin and ink particles, that absorb some of the green light emitted by the watch’s optical sensors.
These sensors use green LEDs and photodiodes to measure changes in blood volume beneath the skin, a method known as photoplethysmography (PPG). When the light is absorbed instead of reflected, it reduces the strength of the signal and can lead to less precise measurements.
This limitation isn’t specific to Samsung smartwatches; it affects most devices that rely on optical sensors. While many studies have identified this issue, it hasn’t been completely resolved yet. Hopefully, future smartwatch technologies will be designed to provide accurate readings for all skin tones and tattoo types.
Final Thoughts
I find the Samsung Galaxy Ultra to be one of the finest in the batch. Also, models beyond series 4 are quite trustworthy when it comes to reading heart rate accuracy. I have also heard that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Series 4 comes with PPG, which is a great sensor for accurate readings.
Overall, I believe that Samsung watches provide a good deal for the money. Their readings are accurate; however, under critical conditions, I would always suggest consulting a doctor. Having a Samsung watch is great for monitoring your medical conditions.
However, due to certain implications, the reading might be wrong. If you are feeling symptoms and think that the reading is inaccurate, then get medical help, since you obviously can’t compare a smartwatch’s readings to an ECG. I have not faced anything like that so far, but if your gut feeling says otherwise, then follow it.
