Exclusive: Galaxy Watch Active 2 gets ECG and Fall Detection in Q1 2020

It has been a month since the Galaxy Watch Active 2 was officially announced. This is Samsung’s first smartwatch with a touch-sensitive bezel, allowing you to navigate the UI by simply sliding your finger around the bezel. It also gets some great new health features some of which won’t be available at launch.

We exclusively reported earlier this year that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 features include Fall Detection and the ability to take an ECG on your wrist. We can now confirm that both features will be rolled out in the first quarter of next year.

ECG and Fall Detection to be out in Q1 2020

Samsung said last month that ECG and Fall Detection won’t be available at launch because it’s still waiting on approval from the FDA. We hear that the ability to take an ECG and Afib notifications will both be rolled out for users in the United States in February next year.

Fall Detection is going to get a much wider roll out but it’s slated to arrive in the first quarter of 2020. It’s unclear when ECG and Afib notifications will be offered to users in other markets. The rollout will definitely be contingent on local regulations.

There’s a possibility that Samsung might update One UI for the Galaxy Watch Active 2 when it gets ready to release these features. It remains a possibility that the upgraded One UI may include some additional software-based features.

Samsung confirmed last month that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will be released on September 23 in the United States. Customers in South Korea will be able to pick one up starting this week. It goes on sale in Samsung’s home country on September 6. Do check out our Galaxy Watch Active 2 hands-on in the meantime to learn more about this smartwatch.