If the Apple Watch 4 is part of the medical alert smartwatch conversation, then the Samsung Galaxy Watch should also have a look. Samsung and Apple often release new features and technology in response to the other. Since Apple only recently released its latest smartwatch, we don't know how the next Samsung Galaxy Watch will compare, in terms of potentially adding fall detection and ECG heart monitoring. However, since the current Android operating system features an SOS app, the Galaxy Watches are somewhat capable of being a medical alert option.
Price
The best part of the Samsung Galaxy smartwatches is the versatility of style and prices. There are customized versions of the watch with interfaces designed specifically for seniors, featuring larger text and simplified navigation. This is the advantage of the Android OS. It can be molded and customized. This means some Samsung smartwatches cost as low as $60 and as high as $600. You can also get them in a wider variety of styles.
Medical Alert Performance
The Android operating system has a similar SOS app to the Apple iOS. However, it functions very differently. Rather than calling 911, it either texts or calls your emergency contacts. For many, this can be the preferred option, especially if you've fallen and just need help getting back up but aren't seriously injured. However, in a real emergency, you can't depend on your emergency contacts to answer the call. So, it's not quite as effective as other medical alert smartwatches. That said, an effective work-around is to add 911 as an emergency contact.
Functional Value
Since the Samsung Galaxy Watch is one of the leading smartwatches on the market, the functional value is equal only to the Apple Watch, though it doesn't yet have fall detection or ECG heart monitoring. However, it has accelerometers and gyroscopes – the technology necessary for fall detection, so it's reasonable to expect fall detection to be added to future updates. And if the ECG heart monitoring is effective on the Apple Watch, it's a good bet Samsung's next Galaxy Watch will also include it or something similar.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch is an option based simply on the versatility of styles and price points, but the SOS app is not quite ready in terms of being an effective medical alert device, but it's likely to catch up with the Apple Watch in those regards. And Samsung could soon take over the medical alert smartwatch category due to the more flexible Android operating system. After all, the MobileHelp Smart is a Samsung watch.
