In a recent revelation, a Samsung official hinted at the possibility of monetizing features within the Samsung Health ecosystem, raising eyebrows among users. The idea of future AI-enhanced features hiding behind a paywall might sound appealing, but are they truly worth the investment?

Samsung Health does offer tools to track fitness goals, providing an encouraging nudge for users to stay active. However, a significant concern looms large: can we trust the data it presents? My experience with the Galaxy Watch shows that sometimes, I really question whether the metrics reflect my true health.

Sleep Tracking: A Troubling Disconnect

Take sleep tracking, for example. Samsung Health uses a Sleep Score to assess how well you rested, but my real-life experiences tell a different story. Just last night, after securing over ten hours of sleep—a monumental improvement for me—I received a mere 70 on the Sleep Score. It seems baffling that this scoring system rated me lower after a refreshing night than it did for a previous night where I woke up groggy after just 9 hours.

This discrepancy leads to confusion: if I feel refreshed and recharged, why does the app indicate otherwise? The data feels meaningless without a connection to my actual experience.

Energy Score: More Confusion Than Clarity

Samsung has introduced an Energy Score in an attempt to enhance the experience, yet this new metric has left me puzzled. It frequently advises me to relax even when my score has hit 90+. Isn’t the idea to suggest rest when I'm low and exercise when I'm high? Having previously utilized Garmin's Body Battery metric that fluctuates in real-time, the Energy Score feels vague and unhelpful.

Presentation Matters: A Call for Better Data Visualization

Assuming the data from my Galaxy Watch is accurate, the way Samsung presents it leaves much to be desired. While there are graphs showing various metrics, they often lack clarity. For example, it's nearly impossible to decipher specific data points, such as correlating a heart rate spike with outside disturbances.

A comprehensive graph that displays all metrics in one place is desperately needed. Currently, graphs that appear on opposite ends of the Sleep page make it cumbersome to make connections between data.

The Bottom Line: No Subscription Until Basics Are Fixed

In this age where companies eye new features over fundamental improvements, it's crucial to focus on accuracy and user interface. Sure, advanced features leverage complex calculations, but if the underlying data isn’t presented coherently, it’s just noise. I’m not against paying for enhanced health insights. However, until Samsung Health fine-tunes these basics, I won’t consider subscribing—especially not for a service that isn't delivering on its core promises.