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The Samsung Galaxy S5 logs your heartbeart (pictures)

Here's how a new sensor in Samsung's top-of-the-line smartphone takes your pulse.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Jessica Dolcourt
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1 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET

Samsung Galaxy 5S has the pulse on your pulse

The era of sensors is here! Samsung's Galaxy 5S neatly tucks a heart rate monitor into the back of its flagship phone.

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2 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET

S Health

To start measuring your heart rate, boot up S Health 3.0 and tap to select the monitor.

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3 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET

Subtle sensor

See that sensor there, right next to the camera flash? That's where the heart rate monitor lives.

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4 of 7 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

It's alive!

Press and hold your finger on the sensor; it'll glow red when it gets going.

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5 of 7 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Zip it

You mustn't move or talk.

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6 of 7 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Voila

After several seconds, the S Health app spits out your heart rate. Samsung warns that its monitor isn't meant to replace sensitive medical equipment.

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Establish a baseline

So what is the heart-rate monitor good for? Establishing a baseline, for one, so you can track your progress before and after exercise. The S Health app that houses the heart-rate monitor can also keep tabs on calories burned, your nutrition, and  other exercise stats.

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