Tech insiders have leaked details about the new Apple Watch Series 10, which is expected to sport a larger display and a new chip. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that the exciting new health features users hoped for might not make the cut.
Both Apple Watch Series 10 models will sport bigger screens, with the larger variant sporting a size that matches the current Apple Watch Ultra (49mm). The smaller option will still offer a substantial screen at 45mm.
The Apple Watch Ultra itself, however, won’t see a major design change or screen size increase, maintaining its bulkier titanium build with the protruding crown guard.
The good news is that both the Series 10 and Ultra 3 will pack a faster, more powerful chip than last year’s S9. While Apple Intelligence, the upcoming suite of AI features, won’t be available on the watch at launch, it’s possible this technology could come to future Apple Watch models.
Some exciting new health features, like hypertension and sleep apnea detection, were expected for the Apple Watch Series 10. However, Bloomberg reports that Apple has hit a snag in development. The hypertension feature, for example, hasn’t proven reliable in testing, potentially causing a delay until next year.
Additionally, the sleep apnea detection feature also faces roadblocks because it relies on blood oxygen saturation, which Apple Watches in the US can’t measure due to a legal dispute with Masimo. Discussions are ongoing, but the Series 10 will unlikely launch with this feature. Even when available, it won’t provide a precise reading like a medical device.
Apple is also working on a more affordable version of its Apple Watch SE model, last updated in 2022. To potentially compete with Samsung’s budget-friendly $199 Galaxy Watch FE, Apple might use a plastic shell instead of aluminum, lowering the SE’s starting price from $249.
