Samsung’s Galaxy Watch5 might not measure body temperature after all

Can a smartwatch tell what your body temperature is just by smacking a sensor on top of your wrist? That’s what Samsung is apparently trying to get this year’sGalaxy Watch5to do. But will it really? One expert seems to think that if Apple can’t do it, then neither can the other side.

A report from Marchindicated that the Watch5 would have a thermometer that would take the temperature of the wearer’s skin and extrapolate their body temperature with the help of software. Of course, with skin being exposed to the environment, that software — namely, the algorithms running in it — would need to be top-notch in order to help us make sense of anything.

4

Those algorithms aren’t passing muster for Apple, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo.In a series of tweets, the veteran market researcher claims that Apple has given up on implementing body temperature readings for this year’s 7th-gen Apple Watch (it looks like a “better luck next year” scenario) and speculates that Samsung won’t be able to do the same for the Watch5. Kuo is known in the industry for his observations on Apple.

Samsung may have better luck prototyping wireless earbuds with infrared temperature sensing, also mentioned in the March report. Having them linked up to the smartwatch may do just as well to tell users whether or not they have a fever. And we know how worried people are about having fevers, especially moreso in a post-pandemic era.

A person sitting outside wears a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 on their left wrist.

The note-taking app I should have used all along

Broader branding hints at wider paid-tier ambitions

Samsung Notes logo in front of image containing S Pen and devices using Samsung Notes

What’s new? A lot

A great choice for those looking for value

Google Home icon with some gadgets around it.

$850 is one of its best prices

New tablets coming September 4

Samsung Galaxy S25+ against wooden bowling alley approach