In addition to design changes, the upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 adds the ability to detect sleep apnea, according to a reliable source. And its heart sensor could be getting an upgrade.
But a legal problem will apparently keep blood oxygen sensing off the new wearable.
Apple Watch: To your health!
Health monitoring is among the top reasons many people wear an Apple Watch. Going way beyond simple step counters, the latest watchOS devices look constantly for heart problems, as well as other potential medical issues.
The list of health sensors built into Apple Watch has grown over the years. As has the number of conditions the wearables look for. But Cupertino isn’t resting on its laurels.
Rumor: Apple Watch Series 10 adds sleep apnea detection
Apple Watch Series 10 will monitor its wearers for sleep apnea, according to a report published Friday by Bloomberg. The medical condition is a result of the someone’s breathing being interrupted while they sleep — from 10 seconds to several minutes. Results vary from very loud snoring all the way to heart disease and even sudden death.
“This feature will attempt to determine if a wearer has sleep apnea and then suggest further testing with a medical professional,” writes Mark Gurman, who’s proved in the past to have reliable sources inside Apple.
There may be a wait for sleep apnea detection to hit Series 10, though. “The enhancement may not be available on day one of the new model going on sale,” reports Bloomberg.
Better ECG, too
An electrocardiogram (ECG) feature debuted in the wearable way back in 2018, and supposedly it’s time for an upgrade.
Apple Watch Series 10 includes “an updated ECG/heart rate sensor that will unlock new features and provide more accurate results,” reports 9to5Mac on Friday.
Missing Apple Watch Series 10 sensors
While there were hopes that the tenth anniversary Apple Watch would rock tons of new features, some rumored ones reportedly didn’t make the cut.
At the top of that sad list is blood pressure monitoring. Bloomberg reported Friday that “signs point to that feature being delayed and no longer in the cards for an immediate release.”
Also, after Apple repeatedly lost patent infringement lawsuits, the blood oxygen monitoring software in Apple Watch units sold in the U.S. is disabled. And that’s not expected to change for Series 10.
More Apple Watch Series 10 rumors
Rumors indicate Apple Watch Series 10 will include a larger display: 49mm. And the bezels around the screen will be smaller. For comparison, the largest Series 9 version is 45mm. That size will allegedly become the smaller option for the 2024 models. The wearable is also expected to become thinner.
To learn more, check our roundup of Apple Watch rumors on what to expect from Series 10, SE 3 and Ultra 3. We’ll find out everything for sure in a few days, as the 2024 watchOS model is almost certainly on the agenda for the Apple event that kicks off Monday, September 9.
