Samsung Health: The Subscription Shift?

Samsung Health has been a popular choice for those who prefer a free health app. However, there are whispers that this could change soon. The company is considering a subscription model. This move would align with the upcoming One UI 8 Watch. But will it be a hit or a miss with users? It is not confirmed yet, but it seems likely. Samsung's senior vice president and head of digital health, Dr. Hon Pak, hinted at this possibility in a recent chat. He mentioned that Samsung is "exploring a premium subscription model. " Subscription-based health apps are nothing new. Most offer basic tracking and analytics for free, but charge for deeper insights and advanced tools. Samsung Health, however, has always been free. So, if Samsung does introduce a subscription service, it could be a letdown for long-time users. But there's a chance that Samsung won't lock existing features behind a paywall. Instead, they might introduce new features with One UI 8 Watch and charge for those. Samsung is currently testing features like a running coach, antioxidant index, and vascular load. These are set to launch with devices running One UI 8 Watch. So, it's possible that these features could be part of the subscription service. But nothing is set in stone yet. As for the price, it's anyone's guess. Fitbit's subscription service costs around $10 a month. Samsung could match this or try to undercut it. We might get more details when Samsung unveils the Galaxy Watch 8 next month. Rumors suggest that the company's next unpacked event will happen sometime in July. This shift towards a subscription model raises some questions. Will users be willing to pay for a service they've always gotten for free? Or will Samsung's new features be enticing enough to justify the cost? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: the health app game is changing, and Samsung is right in the middle of it.