The Galaxy Watch 4 / Active 3 could feature a diabetes-monitoring sensor

Sources haven't made up their minds regarding the names of the upcoming Samsung wearables. The model that's rumored to boast the new health sensor could reportedly hit the market as the Galaxy Watch 4 or the Galaxy Watch Active 3, but details on the other two models are non-existent.

Generally speaking, the Galaxy Watch and Watch Active series are nearly identical except the latter has a physical rotating bezel whereas the former adopts a touchscreen-based / virtual bezel.

The new sensor might utilize Raman spectroscopy

Industry sources haven't been able to reveal the exact technical details of Samsung's upcoming smartwatch but judging by past events, the Galaxy Watch 4 / Galaxy Watch Active 3's blood glucose sensor might utilize a technique known as Raman spectroscopy.

It was exactly one year ago when Samsung Electronics together with the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have revealed a non-invasive method of monitoring glucose levels that utilizes Raman spectroscopy.

In layman's terms, a sensor based on Raman spectroscopy utilizes lasers to identify chemical compositions. In practice, this technology should allow for accurate blood glucose level readings without having to prick the patient's fingertip.

It's only the beginning of 2021 and we're many months away from the next Unpacked event, which means there's a lot of time left for leaks and rumors, especially if Samsung plans to release three new smartwatch models. But as far as the new blood glucose level sensor is concerned, it might be required to go through lengthier approval processes — same as ECG —  so only time will tell if it will reach the consumer market this year.