Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 patent suggests it could measure ECG or blood pressure

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
(Image credit: AakashJhaveri)

While in-screen fingerprint readers have become commonplace on flagship phones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 or other future Samsung foldables could take it to the next level with Apple Watch-like biometric scanners that could measure heart rate and blood pressure, a new patent suggests.

The supposed patent, filed with the USPTO in April 2020 and first revealed by Mark Peters at LetsGoDigital,  shows three methods of taking biometric data, depending on how the foldable – labeled the Galaxy Z Fold 3 on the image, but potentially in other future Samsung foldables – is aligned. 

When unfolded, a users can squeeze finger and thumb on the edges of the phone; the presumed sensors can also read the user’s palm and forefinger when laid out in hand; and finally, reading a user’s finger with the foldable screens pinched closed.

While the next phone this could arrive in would be the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, it could apply to any device with a screen that folds inwards, as the prior Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip do. The patent suggests the phone reads biometric data from fingers pressed over image sensors located underneath one or more of the device’s displays – and resulting health info could be displayed on the adjacent folding screen. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

(Image credit: LetsGoDigital)

Per LetsGoDigital, the patent claims these sensors could sense the condition and quality of an individual’s circulation system – not just blood pressure, but cholesterol level, aortic pressure (how harmful remaining in a sitting position could be), arterial stiffness (how much harder the heart must pump), along with stress and fatigue tracking. All this data would be combined with user-disclosed health info in the Samsung Health app for more robust personal charts.

Why biometrics in a phone?

Why biometrics in a phone? Well, why not? Most of the predictions to put biometrics on phones is to enable another method of authentication, but given the greater focus on health apps and predictions, it makes sense for Samsung to explore new ways for users to track their personal wellbeing.

While phonemakers aren’t likely to pass up an opportunity to sell users on smartwatches and other discrete fitness trackers, it may not be too difficult to transfer some of that health monitoring to a smartphone platform. Wearables still have their place in passive tracking and more robust health reports, but smartphones could offer the kind of immediate feedback that may help encourage users to seek medical aid at the right time.

As always, this patent is a potential technology that may not make it into any finished product (or if it does, it may not arrive soon), but we’re excited for the potential all the same.

Via PhoneArena

David Lumb

David is now a mobile reporter at Cnet. Formerly Mobile Editor, US for TechRadar, he covered phones, tablets, and wearables. He still thinks the iPhone 4 is the best-looking smartphone ever made. He's most interested in technology, gaming and culture – and where they overlap and change our lives. His current beat explores how our on-the-go existence is affected by new gadgets, carrier coverage expansions, and corporate strategy shifts.

Read more
a photo of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung Galaxy tri-fold – 5 key rumored features, from its screen size to its hinge
The Samsung Galaxy Ring in Titanium Silver
A future Samsung Galaxy Ring could have a feature to stop you burning yourself on your morning coffee
Apple Watch app health
Apple Watch blood pressure monitoring tech revealed in patent
Apple Watch foldable display patent
Forget the folding iPhone – Apple has patented a foldable Apple Watch with two screens
A tease of Samsung's product roadmap
Samsung just teased a tri-fold folding phone at Galaxy Unpacked 2025
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung shows off a creaseless folding phone display – and it improves on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 design in 3 key ways
Latest in Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung Galaxy S25 from the front
The Now Bar on Samsung One UI 7 is about to get a lot more useful – and could soon match Live Activities on iOS
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
A fresh Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge leak hints at a 2K display and a titanium frame
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Paris in front of the Louvre pyramid
I switched to a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 five months ago and I haven’t looked back – here are five things you need to know before buying a foldable phone
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in Paris in front of the Louvre pyramid
5 things I want from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series of phones lying face down.
Samsung announces One UI 7 is coming to older phones after all, but the launch is still a mess
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
A fresh Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge benchmark leak has eased my worries about its performance
Latest in News
DeepSeek
Deepseek’s new AI is smarter, faster, cheaper, and a real rival to OpenAI's models
Open AI
OpenAI unveiled image generation for 4o – here's everything you need to know about the ChatGPT upgrade
Apple WWDC 2025 announced
Apple just announced WWDC 2025 starts on June 9, and we'll all be watching the opening event
Hornet swings their weapon in mid air
Hollow Knight: Silksong gets new Steam metadata changes, convincing everyone and their mother that the game is finally releasing this year
OpenAI logo
OpenAI just launched a free ChatGPT bible that will help you master the AI chatbot and Sora
An aerial view of an Instavolt Superhub for charging electric vehicles
Forget gas stations – EV charging Superhubs are using solar power to solve the most annoying thing about electric motoring