Samsung Galaxy Buds with biometric sensors are likely to be available in 2022 According to a recently acquired patent, Samsung may include a heart rate monitor and blood oxygen (SpO2) reader in future wireless earbuds

The patent, shared by LetsGoDigital, plots an "audio output device" that Samsung could collect health data Unlike this year's Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, these proposed headphones would be able to read indicators regularly read by smartwatches, like heart rate and SpO2 levels

LetsGoDigital suggests that the patented earphones will appear next August and will be called Galaxy Buds Live 2, the second generation pair of Samsung's Galaxy Buds Live The earbuds, shaped like peas, were rumored to feature a fitness tracking function, but no such tool was available at launch

It is also possible that the patent applies to the Galaxy Buds Pro 2, the follow-up to the original Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, which debuted in early 2021 Samsung has previously announced earbuds during CES, so earbuds with a fitness-tracking feature may appear during CES 2022 next month

The best workout headphones and the best running headphones already have built-in activity tracking capabilities Samsung is not the first to market with ear-worn headphones; the Amazfit Powerbuds Pro essentially doubles as a fitness tracker, and the Jabra Elite 75t Active has a built-in accelerometer for running tracking

Apple has yet to include in-ear fitness tracking capabilities in its AirPods lineup, but some sort of "sensor fusion" for AirPods was teased in an executive interview earlier this year We like the AirPods 3 for running, but still rely on the Apple Watch 7 to gather the same metrics as the new Galaxy Buds

Of course, the Apple Watch tells us more about our health than the earbuds (as does Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 and Samsung's Best Watch), but the convenience of collecting metrics from our ears is certainly there As long as I don't need to quickly look at data in the middle of a workout, or care about anything more than heart rate/SpO2 readings, I can leave the house with one less device

When it comes to which company makes the best wireless earbuds overall, Samsung could win with an activity meter or smartwatch replacement option However, the added sensors also pose potential problems The patent addresses the uniquely shaped ears and uncomfortable weight as issues Samsung would have to consider Apple's first attempt at AirPods with fitness tracking will face similar hurdles