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Siemens CT Scanners Review

Siemens does not publish a NAEOTOM Alpha price. A 2026 public tender put a full contract at about US$4 million, and GE's March 2026 clearance means Siemens is no longer the only U.S. photon-counting option.

By Krystine Carneiro, Contributor. See their work.Published March 3, 2026Updated October 17, 2026This page was compiled from primary sources: company disclosures and terms, the BBB and regulators. Our ratings method is described on the methodology page.
Siemens BestGuide rating
4.8/5 BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editors from reputation, services, transparency, customer satisfaction and scale. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

Best for: Hospitals and imaging centers with heavy cardiac, vascular or research workloads that can justify a premium CT and its service costs.

On this page16 sections
  1. Ratings and complaints
  2. Siemens vs. competitors
  3. Pricing
  4. Step by step
  5. the NAEOTOM Alpha value for the price
  6. Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha price
  7. NAEOTOM Alpha models compared
  8. Introduction
  9. How Siemens CT Scanners Work
  10. Stand Out Features
  11. Recalls and company changes to know about
  12. How buying a NAEOTOM Alpha works
  13. What it means if you are a patient
  14. Who should look elsewhere
  15. Alternatives
  16. FAQ
Our verdict

Siemens Healthineers does not publish a price for the NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting CT; every sale is quoted, and the final number depends on the model, software options, service contract and site work. The clearest public figure we found is a June 2026 Vietnamese hospital tender for a new NAEOTOM Alpha at 104.29 billion dong, roughly US$4 million for the full contract including delivery and installation. The name covers three FDA-cleared models (Alpha.Prime, Alpha.Pro and Alpha.Peak), so make sure any quote you compare is for the same one. Siemens had the only FDA-cleared whole-body photon-counting CT until GE HealthCare's Photonova Spectra was cleared in March 2026, so buyers now have a competing quote to request.

List price
Not published by Siemens Healthineers; sold by quote1
Public tender example
104.292 billion VND (about US$4 million) for a new NAEOTOM Alpha, full contract incl. delivery and installation, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, June 20263
Models
NAEOTOM Alpha.Prime (single source), Alpha.Pro and Alpha.Peak (dual source); FDA clearance announced March 10, 20252
Latest FDA clearance
510(k) K251061 for Alpha.Peak, Alpha.Pro and Alpha.Prime, cleared July 28, 2025; earlier clearances in 2021, 2022, 2024 and February 20256
Scan speed
737 mm/s (Peak), 491 mm/s (Pro), 345 mm/s (Prime), per Siemens2
Competition
GE HealthCare Photonova Spectra photon-counting CT cleared by FDA on March 20, 2026 (K253520)7
Recall
Open Class 2 recalls started December 19, 2025 (Z-1240-2026, 88 NAEOTOM units, plus related Z-1241 and Z-1242) to remove three uncleared software apps; also open: Z-1003-2023 for mislabeled orientation in the myNeedle Guide app8
Company status
Siemens Healthineers is majority-owned by Siemens AG, which plans a shareholder vote on spinning off Healthineers shares in February 20275

Siemens ratings and complaint records

  • FDA 510(k) clearances 5 NAEOTOM Alpha clearances from September 2021 to July 2025, the most recent K251061 covering all three models View source
  • FDA recalls 2 open recall events Software only: uncleared apps shipped on NAEOTOM systems (2025, Z-1240-2026 covers 88 units) and a myNeedle Guide labeling error (2022) View source
  • Installed use 1 million+ patients Patients scanned on NAEOTOM systems by March 2025, per Siemens; 500,000 in December 2023 View source

Pros

  • Siemens was first to market with clinical photon-counting CT and now offers three NAEOTOM models
  • Dual-source Pro and Peak models reach 66 ms temporal resolution and 0.2 mm slices, per Siemens
  • Single-source Alpha.Prime brings photon-counting to general and emergency settings
  • Large installed base and service network from one of the biggest imaging vendors

Cons

  • No published pricing, and a full contract can run around US$4 million based on public tenders
  • Service contracts, software options and site preparation add to the cost
  • Open Class 2 recall in 2026 for unapproved software shipped on some systems
  • More scanner than many community hospitals or imaging centers need

Best for: Hospitals and imaging centers with heavy cardiac, vascular or research workloads that can justify a premium CT and its service costs.

Skip it if: Your volume is mostly routine head, chest and abdominal scans, where a conventional SOMATOM or a competitor's mid-range CT costs far less.

Siemens vs. competitors

Siemens compared with competitors
CompanyDetectorFDA statusPrice publishedOwnerNext step
Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha class Photon-counting, single or dual sourceCleared, latest July 2025NoSiemens Healthineers
GE HealthCare Photonova Spectra Photon-countingCleared March 20, 2026NoGE HealthCare Read review
Philips Verida Detector-based spectral (not photon-counting)Sold in the U.S.NoPhilips Read review

Siemens pricing at a glance

NAEOTOM Alpha cost reference points, as found October 20263

Item Amount Context
Siemens list price Not published Every sale is quoted
Full system contract, Vietnam tender (June 2026) 104.292 billion VND, about US$4 million New NAEOTOM Alpha including delivery and installation, 26-month contract
Research scan, University of Iowa (FY2026) $520 per participant Federal and nonprofit studies
Research scan, University of Iowa (FY2026) $900 per participant Industry studies

A U.S. purchase adds service contracts, software licenses, shielding and construction. Patient charges for a clinical CT depend on the hospital and insurer, not the scanner brand.

Siemens, step by step

  1. Define your case mix

    List the volume of cardiac, vascular, oncology and pediatric exams you expect, since those are where photon-counting detail matters most.

  2. Pick the model

    Choose between single-source Alpha.Prime and dual-source Alpha.Pro or Alpha.Peak based on heart-rate and speed needs.

  3. Request quotes

    Get a written quote from Siemens and at least one competitor, such as GE's Photonova Spectra, for the same scope of software and service.

  4. Plan the site

    Budget for room shielding, power, cooling and downtime during installation, which are often quoted separately.

  5. Negotiate service and recalls

    Fix the service term, uptime guarantee and software update terms, and ask for the status of any open recalls on your configuration.

the NAEOTOM Alpha value for the price

The NAEOTOM Alpha has the longest track record of any photon-counting CT: the first model was cleared by the FDA in 2021, and Siemens reports more than 1 million patients scanned by March 2025. Siemens says the detector gives slices down to 0.2 mm, spectral data in every scan, and the potential to cut contrast volume by about half. Those gains matter most in cardiac and vascular imaging, small structures and patients who need low dose.

For a site with mostly routine exams, the extra cost is harder to justify. Since GE HealthCare’s Photonova Spectra was cleared in March 2026, you can also get a competing photon-counting quote rather than comparing Siemens only with conventional CT.

Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha price

Siemens Healthineers does not post prices for any CT scanner. Pricing is negotiated per site and depends on the model (Prime, Pro or Peak), software packages, workstation licenses, service contract length, trade-ins, and construction and shielding work.

Public tenders are the best outside reference. In June 2026, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City awarded a contract for a new NAEOTOM Alpha (manufactured 2025 or later) at 104.292 billion dong, roughly US$4 million. That covered a 26-month contract including delivery and installation. Prices in the US, and for the single-source Alpha.Prime, may differ.

When comparing quotes, ask for the total cost over the service term, not just the purchase price, and confirm which model and software options are included.

NAEOTOM Alpha models compared

In March 2025 Siemens announced FDA clearance for the NAEOTOM Alpha class:

  • NAEOTOM Alpha.Peak: the original 2021 dual-source NAEOTOM Alpha, renamed. Fastest at 737 mm per second, 66 ms temporal resolution, 0.2 mm slices.
  • NAEOTOM Alpha.Pro: dual source, 491 mm per second, 66 ms temporal resolution, 0.2 mm slices.
  • NAEOTOM Alpha.Prime: the first single-source photon-counting CT, 345 mm per second, aimed at inpatient, outpatient and emergency use.

If a quote or article just says “NAEOTOM Alpha”, confirm which of the three it means.

Introduction

In the high-stakes world of medical imaging, few names carry as much weight as Siemens Healthineers. As a pioneer in diagnostic technology, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in Computed Tomography (CT). For healthcare providers, selecting the right scanner is a careful balance of clinical capabilities, workflow efficiency, and budget.

This comprehensive Siemens CT Scanners Review aims to dissect the brand’s offerings to help you decide if their technology aligns with your facility’s needs.

Siemens is renowned for its engineering precision, particularly in the realm of cardiac imaging and workflow automation. From the versatile SOMATOM line to the revolutionary NAEOTOM photon-counting scanners, they offer solutions for everything from small urgent care clinics to major research hospitals. However, high-end technology often comes with a premium price tag and complex service requirements. Throughout this review, we will evaluate the hardware, software ecosystem, and overall value proposition so you can navigate the Siemens CT Scanners models list with confidence.

How Siemens CT Scanners Work

Siemens CT scanners operate on the fundamental principles of computed tomography but are distinguished by several proprietary technologies that enhance image acquisition and reconstruction. At their core, these machines differentiate themselves through speed, AI-driven workflows, and cutting-edge detector technology.

  • Dual Source Technology: Found in their high-end models like the SOMATOM Force and Drive, this technology utilizes two X-ray tubes and two detectors working simultaneously. This setup allows for varying energy levels (Dual Energy) to be captured at twice the speed of standard scanners. It is crucial for freezing motion, such as a beating heart, without the need for aggressive heart rate control (beta-blockers).
  • myExam Companion: Modern Siemens scanners run on an intelligent user interface known as myExam Companion. This software uses artificial intelligence to guide technologists through the exam setup. It automatically adjusts scan parameters based on the patient’s physiology and the clinical question, ensuring consistent results regardless of the operator’s experience level.
  • Photon-Counting Detectors: With the introduction of the NAEOTOM Alpha class, Siemens moved beyond traditional energy-integrating detectors. Photon-counting technology measures individual X-ray photons as they pass through the patient. This results in significantly higher spatial resolution, up to a 40% reduction in radiation dose, and the elimination of electronic noise.

Stand Out Features

Tin Filter (Sn) Technology

Siemens places a heavy emphasis on dose reduction. Their proprietary Tin Filter technology filters out lower-energy photons that contribute to patient dose but do not add value to image quality. This allows for ultra-low-dose scanning, which is highly beneficial for lung cancer screening and pediatric imaging.

Mobile Workflow

The SOMATOM go. platform introduced a unique mobile workflow. Technologists can control most of the scan setup via a tablet while standing next to the patient. This drastically reduces patient anxiety and improves efficiency, as the tech doesn’t have to repeatedly run back and forth to the shielded control room.

FAST Integrated Workflow

This includes 3D cameras mounted above the patient table that use AI to automatically detect the patient’s position and isocenter. Correct isocenter positioning is critical for image quality and dose management; the system automatically adjusts the table height and position, eliminating manual positioning errors.

Recalls and company changes to know about

The FDA lists a Class 2 recall (Z-1240-2026), started by Siemens on December 19, 2025 and posted February 3, 2026. Three software applications (syngo.CT Brain Quantification, syngo.CT Vessel Hyperdensities and syngo.CT ASPECTS) were delivered on NAEOTOM Alpha systems before they had FDA clearance. Customers were told to stop using them, and Siemens is removing them by software update. The FDA lists 88 units affected worldwide. Ask any vendor about open recalls on the exact configuration you are buying.

On the corporate side, Siemens AG owns a majority of Siemens Healthineers and plans to spin off part of its stake directly to shareholders, with a vote planned for February 2027. No change to product support has been announced.

How buying a NAEOTOM Alpha works

Siemens sells through direct quotes, often bundled with service contracts, software licenses and financing. Public tenders show the scope that gets priced: the June 2026 Vietnam award covered the scanner, delivery and installation over a 26-month contract. In the U.S., expect separate costs for room shielding, electrical and cooling work and staff training.

Ask for the total cost of ownership over the service term, uptime commitments, how software updates are delivered, and whether the quoted configuration is affected by any open FDA recall.

What it means if you are a patient

If your hospital uses a NAEOTOM Alpha, the exam works like any CT scan. The cost to you depends on your hospital’s charges and your insurance, not the scanner brand. CT uses ionizing radiation, so ask your doctor whether the scan is needed and whether a lower-dose protocol is appropriate, especially for children and pregnant patients.

Who should look elsewhere

Community hospitals and outpatient centers with mostly routine head, chest and abdominal scans may get better value from a conventional or detector-based spectral CT. Sites without the volume to keep a premium scanner busy should compare the full service cost before committing.

Alternatives to Siemens

  • GE HealthCare BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

    The only other FDA-cleared whole-body photon-counting CT as of October 2026, useful as a competing quote.

    Read review
  • Philips Healthcare BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.

    Detector-based spectral imaging, if you need spectral data but not photon-counting resolution; compare quotes for the same scope.

    Read review
  • Conventional Siemens SOMATOM CT

    Better value for sites doing mostly routine head, chest and abdominal scans.

  • Shared research scan time

    Research groups can buy scan time, as at the University of Iowa, instead of owning a scanner.

Siemens reviews

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha cost?

Siemens does not publish a price. A June 2026 public tender in Vietnam awarded a full NAEOTOM Alpha contract, including delivery and installation, for 104.292 billion dong, roughly US$4 million. Your price will depend on model, options and service terms.

What is the difference between NAEOTOM Alpha.Prime, Pro and Peak?

Peak and Pro are dual-source scanners at 737 and 491 mm per second; Prime is single source at 345 mm per second and aimed at broader clinical use. Peak is the renamed original NAEOTOM Alpha.

Is the NAEOTOM Alpha FDA approved?

It is FDA cleared, which is the pathway used for CT scanners. The original model was cleared in 2021, and Siemens announced clearance for the Prime, Pro and Peak class in March 2025.

What is photon-counting CT?

A photon-counting detector counts individual X-ray photons and measures their energy, instead of adding up total energy like conventional CT detectors. Siemens says this gives higher detail at low radiation dose, with spectral data in every scan.

Has the NAEOTOM Alpha been recalled?

Yes, a Class 2 recall posted in February 2026 covered three software applications shipped on 88 systems before FDA clearance. It concerned the software, not the scanner hardware, and the FDA lists it as open.

Is Siemens Healthineers being spun off from Siemens?

Siemens AG plans to spin off part of its majority stake in Siemens Healthineers directly to its shareholders, with a vote planned at its February 2027 annual meeting. Siemens Healthineers is already a separately listed company.

Is Siemens the only photon-counting CT maker?

Not anymore in the U.S. GE HealthCare's Photonova Spectra received FDA 510(k) clearance on March 20, 2026. Philips' current U.S. lineup uses detector-based spectral CT rather than photon-counting.

How many NAEOTOM Alpha scans have been done?

Siemens reported more than 1 million patients scanned by March 2025, up from 500,000 in December 2023.

How much does a NAEOTOM Alpha scan cost?

For patients, the price depends on the hospital and insurance. For research, the University of Iowa charges $520 per participant for federal or nonprofit studies and $900 for industry studies in fiscal 2026.

Does the NAEOTOM Alpha use less radiation?

Siemens says photon-counting detectors can give high detail at low dose, and its site cites about 50% less contrast agent in some exams. Actual dose depends on the protocol your site uses.

Sources (13)

Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards

  1. Siemens Healthineers: NAEOTOM Alpha class (US) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  2. Siemens Healthineers: FDA clearance for NAEOTOM Alpha class (March 10, 2025) (accessed October 11, 2026)
  3. Bao Dau Thau (Vietnam procurement news): NAEOTOM Alpha contract award, June 25, 2026 (accessed October 11, 2026)
  4. FDA: Medical device recall Z-1240-2026, NAEOTOM Alpha software (accessed October 11, 2026)
  5. AuntMinnie: Siemens clarifies timeline for Siemens Healthineers spin-off (April 20, 2026) (accessed October 11, 2026)
  6. FDA: 510(k) K251061, NAEOTOM Alpha.Peak, Alpha.Pro and Alpha.Prime (July 28, 2025) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  7. FDA: 510(k) K253520, GE HealthCare Photonova Spectra (March 20, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  8. openFDA: device recalls mentioning NAEOTOM (accessed October 12, 2026)
  9. University of Iowa APPIL: hours and rates, FY2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
  10. Philips: Computed tomography systems (US) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  11. Siemens Healthineers: Photon-counting CT expansion (December 4, 2023) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  12. Siemens AG press release: Siemens clarifies timeline for spin-off of Siemens Healthineers shares (accessed October 12, 2026)
  13. FDA: What are the radiation risks from CT? (accessed October 12, 2026)
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