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Smartwatch AI-ECG tech shows promise but falls short on consistency. A Korean study found that AI-powered ECG models on Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch produced discordant results in 9% of patients, and nearly half of at-home users got conflicting readings within the same week. Experts say more research and device-specific fine-tuning are needed before real-world clinical use.
Smartwatch AI-ECG tech shows promise but falls short on consistency
The dream of using your smartwatch to detect heart failure just hit a speed bump. A Korean study presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2026 annual meeting found that while an AI-ECG model performed well overall (AUC of ~0.90), it produced inconsistent results across devices and even within the same person over time.
When the same AI model was applied to both Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, 9% of patients got discordant results — flagged as positive on one device but not the other. Even more concerning: nearly half (49.3%) of at-home users recorded both positive and negative results within the same week using the same device.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: Heart failure is vastly undertreated, and early detection could be life-saving. But inconsistent smartwatch readings risk overwhelming healthcare systems with false positives or missing real cases. Experts stress that device-specific cutoffs, larger diverse studies, and clear clinical pathways must be established before this technology is ready for prime time.
