Apple fans are eagerly awaiting next week’s announcement, where the tech giant is expected to unveil both the iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch Series 10. While official details are still scarce, leaks from sources like 9to5Mac and Bloomberg suggest that the Series 10 might pack significant new health features, including the ability to detect signs of sleep apnea.
According to reports, the updated ECG sensor in the Apple Watch Series 10 will not only help with heart monitoring but will also be capable of identifying signs of sleep apnea—a serious sleep disorder where breathing stops intermittently during the night. If the watch suspects the presence of this condition, it will prompt the user to seek medical advice, potentially opening a new frontier in consumer health technology.
While sleep apnea detection could be a game-changer, Apple appears to be fine-tuning other aspects of the watch as well. The Series 10 will reportedly have a slightly larger display, a thinner case, and improved water resistance. This enhanced durability could allow the base model to support the Depth app, a feature previously exclusive to the rugged Apple Watch Ultra, making it more appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and divers alike.
Interestingly, the handling of atrial fibrillation detection might shift from the watch to the Health app itself, further integrating Apple’s ecosystem for health monitoring. However, some expected features won’t make the cut—most notably, the blood oxygen sensor, which was shelved due to an ongoing patent battle with Masimo.
As we await Apple’s official announcement, it’s clear the Series 10 will continue pushing the boundaries of wearable health tech, even without all the bells and whistles originally planned. Whether these rumored features will truly make the Series 10 a standout upgrade remains to be seen, but the emphasis on advanced health monitoring solidifies Apple’s commitment to turning the smartwatch into an indispensable medical tool for everyday users.
Sources: