Galaxy Watch5 Matches DXA Body Fat at 0.91 CCC, Misses on Individual and Muscle Readings
Updated
Updated · TechRepublic · Sep 15
Galaxy Watch5 Matches DXA Body Fat at 0.91 CCC, Misses on Individual and Muscle Readings
2 articles · Updated · TechRepublic · Sep 15
Summary
A 2025 study of 108 active adults found Samsung’s Galaxy Watch5 tracked body-fat percentage closely to DXA at the group level, but single-user readings still showed wide variation.
Body-fat estimates posted a 0.91 concordance correlation coefficient and 2.87-point mean absolute error, yet limits of agreement ran from about -7.85 to 6.1 points and the watch failed the study’s equivalence test.
Skeletal-muscle estimates were markedly weaker: the watch recorded a 0.45 CCC, 6.47-point mean absolute error, and an average underestimation of about 6.46 percentage points versus DXA.
Because the watch uses wrist-based bioelectrical impedance analysis, timing, posture, exercise, heat exposure, and metal accessories can all shift results, making consistent measurement conditions important.
The findings support using Galaxy Watch body-composition data as general wellness guidance rather than a clinical test, and the study did not establish whether it can reliably track changes over time.