Samsung Discontinues Galaxy Watch Health Feature in the US

Samsung has notified users in the United States that it will discontinue the Vascular Load feature on its Galaxy Watch. While the company has not disclosed a specific reason for the decision, it is speculated that US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations may have played a role. The news was reported by Android Police on July 2, 2026.

Notification of Feature Discontinuation

According to notifications shared by several users on Reddit, the subject of the message was titled “End of Service for Vascular Load Labs Feature.” The notification specified that the feature would be removed in late July with the One UI 9 update. Users were informed that existing data would no longer appear in Samsung Health but could be exported by navigating to “Other Options” → “Settings” → “Download Personal Data.”

The Vascular Load feature, introduced with One UI 8, was designed to measure cardiovascular load and provide suggestions for managing heart health. Although the exact measurement methods and algorithms were not disclosed, the feature was believed to estimate arterial stiffness and stress levels using metrics such as pulse wave velocity and heart rate variability.

FDA Regulations as a Possible Factor

Samsung has provided no explanation for the removal of the Vascular Load feature. Android Police has reached out to the company for comment but has yet to receive a response.

Reddit users have speculated that the decision may be related to issues with FDA approval. In the US, if a smartwatch’s health feature is considered a medical device, it requires FDA clearance or approval. Features that could influence medical diagnoses or treatment decisions are subject to stringent regulatory scrutiny. Since the Vascular Load feature offered evaluations of cardiovascular risk, it may have crossed regulatory boundaries.

One user expressed frustration, saying, “I understand that obtaining FDA approval takes time, but they should at least give us the freedom to use the feature with a disclaimer about self-responsibility.”

Blood Pressure Trend as an Alternative

In response, Samsung is preparing to launch a new health feature called “Blood Pressure Trend” in the US. This feature is expected to debut alongside the next Galaxy Watch, likely to be unveiled during the Galaxy Unpacked event later this month.

As the name suggests, Blood Pressure Trend will track and analyze long-term blood pressure trends. Users will need to calibrate the feature using a blood pressure monitor. While similar to the already available “Blood Pressure” feature in the US, this new function is expected to place greater emphasis on changes over time. Some Reddit users speculate that this feature may be Samsung’s answer to the rumored blood pressure monitoring capabilities of the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 4.

Navigating Between Regulation and Innovation

The discontinuation of the Vascular Load feature highlights the direct impact of US regulations on the product roadmaps of wearable technology. In the short term, users who relied on the feature for daily health management will face a reduction in available tools. While Samsung plans to introduce the Blood Pressure Trend feature as a replacement, its focus on a different metric raises questions about whether it will fully meet users’ needs. The company should provide greater transparency about the reasons behind the feature’s removal.

In the long term, given speculation that Apple is aiming to secure FDA approval for a blood pressure monitoring feature on the Apple Watch, the competition between the two companies in the health functionality space will hinge on their interactions with regulatory authorities. Whether this discontinuation prompts Samsung to reassess its FDA strategy and eventually offer advanced health features in compliance with regulations remains to be seen.

For the industry as a whole, this situation may reignite discussions about the boundary between medical device regulations and general health features. From an editorial perspective, we are concerned about consumers losing access to valuable health data under the guise of regulation. However, the risks of unverified health features giving users misleading information cannot be ignored.

Editorial Opinion

This case exemplifies how the regulatory landscape for wearable health features in the US directly influences product development roadmaps. In the short term, users who regularly relied on the Vascular Load feature will face a gap in their health management options. Although Samsung intends to offer the Blood Pressure Trend function as a substitute, its focus on a different health metric leaves uncertainty about whether it will fully address users’ needs. Transparency from Samsung on the reasons for the feature’s removal is essential.

In the long term, considering reports that Apple is pursuing FDA approval for blood pressure monitoring on the Apple Watch, the competition between Samsung and Apple in the health functionality space will likely depend on how effectively they engage with regulators. Whether this setback drives Samsung to refine its regulatory approach and reintroduce advanced health features in compliance with the FDA is an important question.

For the industry, this development could reignite debates about the dividing line between medical device regulations and general health-oriented features. While it is crucial to ensure the safety and accuracy of health data, we must also address concerns about limiting consumer access to useful health insights under the pretext of regulation.

References

• Galaxy Watch owners just lost a key health feature, and Samsung isn’t saying why | Android Police — Published on July 2, 2026