Apple Watch Series 10 Has Same Heart Sensor as Series 9

[MacRumors]

Though there were rumors that the Apple Watch Series 10 would get a new heart and ECG sensor, that does not appear to have happened. According to the technical specifications for the Apple Watch Series 10, it is equipped with a third-generation optical heart sensor, which is the same sensor that was used in the prior-generation Series 9.

Apple also made no mention of the heart rate sensor during yesterday's event, and there is no information about any kind of upgrade on the Apple Watch Series 10 product page.

The rumor, shared by 9to5Mac, said the alleged upgraded heart sensor would "unlock new features and provide more accurate results." The site said that it would enable sleep apnea detection, but as Apple explained yesterday, sleep apnea detection actually uses the accelerometer. Sleep apnea detection did not require an upgrade to the heart sensor, and it is in fact also being added to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, both of which have the same third-generation heart sensor as the Series 10.

Apple was working on blood pressure monitoring for the Series 10, but the feature was not ready in time for the device's launch. Apple did not introduce health features other than the ability to detect sleep apnea.

A new design is the main focus of the Series 10, and it is thinner and lighter than prior Apple Watch models. It does have a new water temperature sensor, depth sensor, Oceanic+ app for snorkeling, and Tides app, which brings it closer in functionality to the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

There were rumors of improved water resistance that would allow the Series 10 to be used with high-speed water sports up to 20 meters deep, but Apple did not update the Apple Watch Series 10's water resistance. It continues to have a water resistance rating of 50 meters, and while it can be used for shallow-water activities like snorkeling or swimming in a pool, Apple still warns against using it for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

The Apple Watch Series 10 models are available for pre-order right now and will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 20.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 10 Has Same Heart Sensor as Series 9

 

[DrJR]

“PHONING IT IN” should have been event tag line this year.

 

[vertsix]

What about Blood Oxygen? Looks like I'll have to stick to my LL/A Ultra 2 with Blood Oxygen until it dies.

 

[BrentD]

If you use the Apple product comparison tool on their website, it confirms that the optical heart sensor is the same one that has been in the watch since Series 6. https://www.apple.com/watch/compare/?modelList=watch-series-7,watch-series-10

I'm coming from series 7 and still got over $100 trade in credit for a 3 year old watch. Seemed like a decent deal to me to upgrade.

 

[nutmac]

I suspect S10 is also largely identical to S9 processor.

 

[Beau10]

What about Blood Oxygen? Looks like I'll have to stick to my LL/A Ultra 2 with Blood Oxygen until it dies.

The sensor is present in this watch as it is in the S9. It's not 'available' due to being locked out by the OS until the current issues with Masimo are resolved.

 

[vegetassj4]

It’s still the most amazing, magical, revolutionary heart sensor that they’ve ever created with more power than any heart sensor in a phone.

 

[jz0309]

The internal updates seem to be limited to the S10, and how much of a real improvement that actually remains to be seen.
Also be interested how battery capacity compares

 

[G3Blue]

Faster charging and slightly thinner sold it for me.

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

I suspect S10 is also largely identical to S9 processor.

Redesigned for size most likely, not performance.

 

[Cirillo Gherardo]

Those Apple engineers really worked overtime for the last year didn't they...

 

[jz0309]

What about Blood Oxygen? Looks like I'll have to stick to my LL/A Ultra 2 with Blood Oxygen until it dies.

Yea, no updates on that patent dispute/import ban… that is a hard requirement to upgrade from my U2 that has SpO2

 

[now i see it]

Well… all other watch companies sell the exact same watch year after year for a decade or more

 

[jdclifford]

“PHONING IT IN” should have been event tag line this year.

how about “iPhoning” it in?

 

[pdaholic]

What about Blood Oxygen? Looks like I'll have to stick to my LL/A Ultra 2 with Blood Oxygen until it dies.

I’m curious how often you actually use the blood oxygen sensor? I can see how it would have been useful back when Covid was in full swing, but now that the virus is attenuated and hypoxia is rare, I don’t see much use for it unless you have underlying lung disease like asthma or copd.

Or maybe it’s just a “I’ve got this feature and taking it away would be a downgrade” sentiment which I absolutely understand.

 

[EfratBarTal]

Series6 owner here. Only reason I want to upgrade is to get to listen to audio (podcasts, music) directly from the watch speakers. Very useful for showers!

 

[MrGimper]

Can’t really change it, but still not sure about them dropping stainless for titanium.

Having switched from Silver SS to Graphite SS for the S7, I’m not convinced about the coating which I believe is the same as the polished titanium S10

 

[jz0309]

Well… all other watch companies sell the exact same watch year after year for a decade or more

Since when is the AW a “watch”? It’s a screen only computer that you wear in your wrist, so comparing it like you do is like apples to rib eye…

 

[centauratlas]

Yea, no updates on that patent dispute/import ban… that is a hard requirement to upgrade from my U2 that has SpO2

Yeah, my Ultra 2 has at least another year because I like the O2 sensor and there wasn't anything else in the S10 to make me change - the thinness wouldn't be bad, but the battery life doesn't compare. Hopefully they resolve the patent issues before long.

 

[Jarrodbcall]

What about Blood Oxygen? Looks like I'll have to stick to my LL/A Ultra 2 with Blood Oxygen until it dies.

I'm in a similar spot with my watch. I have sleep apnea, and I use that to get a general vibe of issues. I'm excited for the sleep apnea detection, but don't want to lose that, so I'm glad I got a used series 9 before the lawsuit mess started.

 

[Jarrodbcall]

I’m curious how often you actually use the blood oxygen sensor? I can see how it would have been useful back when Covid was in full swing, but now that the virus is attenuated and hypoxia is rare, I don’t see much use for it unless you have underlying lung disease like asthma or copd.

Or maybe it’s just a “I’ve got this feature and taking it away would be a downgrade” sentiment which I absolutely understand.

I have sleep apnea and have been in an ongoing battle with medical providers about it (thankfully, my symptoms reduced when I moved to sea level, but because of that I'm having insurance cover my equipment). Having my blood oxygen show up in AutoSleep or through the vitals has really helped me learn more about what makes my symptoms better or worse. I agree that most people don't need it, but for those of us with medical conditions it is helpful!

 

[azhava]

I’m curious how often you actually use the blood oxygen sensor? I can see how it would have been useful back when Covid was in full swing, but now that the virus is attenuated and hypoxia is rare, I don’t see much use for it unless you have underlying lung disease like asthma or copd.

Or maybe it’s just a “I’ve got this feature and taking it away would be a downgrade” sentiment which I absolutely understand.

I'll admit the lack of SpO2 sensor kinda put me off when I was considering upgrading to the "new" Ultra 2 (black) over my AW8, but then that exact point came to my mind. My AW8 has the sensor and I occasionally check it or look at the numbers in Apple Health just out of casual interest, but after using it for 2 years now I feel like I have a solid baseline showing that blood oxygen isn't an issue for me, or anything that I need to pay close attention to.

I won't complain if it's re-enabled at some point, but I don't feel like it's a critical enough feature to factor into decision making for me.

 

[Prof.]

“PHONING IT IN” should have been event tag line this year.

Staff meetings that could’ve been an email…

 

[jz0309]

Yeah, my Ultra 2 has at least another year because I like the O2 sensor and there wasn't anything else in the S10 to make me change - the thinness wouldn't be bad, but the battery life doesn't compare. Hopefully they resolve the patent issues before long.

Well, we haven’t heard anything since like mid Dec 2023 or so, but I guess that is the legal/patent system taking its course ;(

 

[coolsean20]

I don't understand why sleep apnea detection isn't coming to the original Ultra. It's the same with playing media directly from the speakers... I'm sure the original Ultra is capable of both of those features.