Here is how you can measure blood Oxygen saturation level through your Samsung Galaxy phone. Fortunately, various Samsung flagships can be used as Oximeters to correctly measure Oxygen saturation levels and in this guide we will explain how. Resulting from the situation around the globe, oximeters have suddenly become a necessity and there is a definite shortage in supply. Rather than waiting for one, Samsung Galaxy phones can be used as a great alternative to professional grade oximeters. In efforts to integrate health features, Samsung shipped various Galaxy phones with a sensor array that is capable to measure blood oxygen saturation level so if you own a compatible Galaxy phone, here is how to effectively use it as an oximeter.
Health staff use oximeters to measure blood oxygen saturation levels in various sicknesses and ever since the recent disease outbreak, they have jumped exponentially in demand. With increased demand, the prices for these meters has jumped as well. If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t get access to a dedicated oximeter, you can use your Galaxy phone to measure oxygen saturation in your blood.
How to Measure Blood Oxygen Saturation Level with Galaxy Phones
Samsung remains to be one of the very few, if not the only, brand to ship dedicated health sensors on its phones. It all started back in 2014 (6 years ago) with the Galaxy S5. It was the first phone to get hear-rate sensor as well as SpO2 sensor (Oxygen Saturation). From the Galaxy S5 uptill the Galaxy S10, the brand continued to ship these sensors.
In addition to Galaxy S flagship series, various other Samsung phones also arrived with these such as the Note series. Due to costs, however, the brand wasn’t able to integrate them across the board hence only select Galaxy devices can be used as Oximeters.
Galaxy Phones with Oximeters / SpO2 Sensor – Compatibility List
Here is the complete list of all Oximeter capable Galaxy phones:
- Galaxy Alpha
- Galaxy S5
- Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge Plus
- Galaxy S7, S7 Edge
- Galaxy S8, S8 Plus
- Galaxy S9, S9 Plus
- Galaxy S10, S10 Plus
- Galaxy Note 4, Note Edge
- Galaxy Note 5
- Galaxy Note 7
- Galaxy Note 8
- Galaxy Note 9
- and others.
This isn’t a definitive list as various other Samsung phones have arrived with the functionality that we might have missed. You can reference the following picture and see whether your Samsung Galaxy phone has this sensor on the back to make sure (Health sensor array right next to flash):
Measure Blood Oxygen Saturation Levels using Samsung Health / S Health
After you have made sure you have a compatible phone, here is the complete procedure on how to use it to measure blood oxygen saturation level.
Step 1 – Open up Samsung Health app on your phone.
Step 2 – Browse down till you see Stress. Against it, there should be a Measure option. Tap on that.
Step 3 – Place your finger on the sensor at the back correctly. Once you do, the sensor should light up your finger with a red color.
Step 4 – Try to stay still and quiet until the measurement finishes.
Step 5 – After the process, your phone should tell you the Oxygen saturation level as well as the stress figure.
Once you have the value, you can relay that to your doctor for further consultation. If you didn’t find the stress option on your phone but your phone has the sensor, read ahead.
Stress Option is Missing from the App
If you have a compatible phone and you can’t see the Stress option, it can be that it has been added in the main section. To do that, use these steps:
- Open Samsung Health.
- Browse down till you see Manage Items on Bottom Right.
- Tap on it and then tap on “+” icon that corresponds to Stress.
- Click on Save.
That’s it, you can now measure blood oxygen saturation levels on your Samsung Galaxy phone. Let us know in the comments below if we missed out a phone on our compatibility list.
