Samsung‘s upcoming Galaxy Watch 4 series has been in the news for at least a couple of months now. Though the devices continue to elude the market, multiple leaks and certification listings in the past have revealed most of the key specs, design, and features of both the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Active. A fresh leak has now hinted at another major new feature. According to Max Weinbach, the Galaxy Watch 4 will include a BIA (Bio-Electrical Impedance Analysis) sensor.
Usually found on smart scales, a BIA sensor can measure body fat composition. It measures the body fat percentage in relation to lean body mass, i.e. percentage of fat to muscle. The sensor reads the electrical impedance in the body to estimate this data.
As per Doylestown Health, measuring the body fat composition using a BIA sensor “involves the placement of two electrodes on the person’s right hand and foot”. So it’s unclear how Samsung plans to make this work with a wrist-worn device. Perhaps it will require the user to touch the watch with the other hand.
Nonetheless, body fat is an integral part of a health and nutrition assessment. So a BIA sensor in smartwatches could greatly help users with their fitness goals. It will make it easier for people to monitor whether they are burning out enough fats during workouts.
Galaxy Watch 4 to come with a BIA sensor
Smartwatches have grown into quite reliable personal health assistants in recent years. The newer generations of smartwatches come with tons of health-monitoring sensors and software features. There are heart rate sensors, SpO2 sensors for measuring blood oxygen levels, stress monitors, and much more to help you keep an eye on your health. Samsung is now seemingly preparing to add the ability to measure your body fat composition with its next-gen smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch 4 could be the first mainstream smartwatch with this capability.
It’s unclear whether the BIA sensor will be exclusive to either the Galaxy Watch 4 or the Galaxy Watch 4 Active, or both models will get it. With multiple reports suggesting an early-August launch for the new wearables, it’s not a very long wait now before things go official. Samsung has also promised to talk about a “new watch experience” at MWC 2021 next week.
The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch Active 4 are expected to be accompanied by the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 foldables at the next Galaxy Unpacked event. You can expect to hear more about these upcoming Samsung devices in the coming weeks as the company prepares for their launch.