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Apple Watch Series 11 Launching Next Month With These New Features
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Same here! I will move to another watch before I will pay more money for something that they took away. Apple wants top dollar for their products but have no problem removing or lying about their items. ( O2 sensor, Apple intelligence ) The O2 is simple, just pay for the patent use!
The watch is one thing but watchOS is practically at a standstill for years when it comes to basic options such as regeneration, real training load etc. Their Fitness app is still stupid as hell - run a marathon one day, and preferably run a second marathon the next day 
Imo, it's a good watch for obese people to move at least 30 minutes a day, nothing more. I can't wait for Garmin to finally introduce LTE/5G to their watches so then I can say bye-bye to my AWU2.
Imo, it's a good watch for obese people to move at least 30 minutes a day, nothing more. I can't wait for Garmin to finally introduce LTE/5G to their watches so then I can say bye-bye to my AWU2.
It was November 2024.. After the S6 was replaced I purchased a NOS Ultra 2 from Costco with SPo2 that was manufactured December 2023 but was never sold. They were an online deal and the inventory lasted a few weeks. I bought it for $679 and immediately got AppleCare+ for it so no matter what I would have a watch with SPo2 until the patents expire and U.S watches would get the feature back. I would suggest your friend take it to an Apple Store and not use express replacement unless he doesn't have easy access to a store.. I prefer the face to face experience that way everyone is on the same page on what to expect
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I love this, except for the 2-tiered medical system created. Can't afford it? Can't afford health.
There's just about a month to go until Apple unveils the Apple Watch Series 11 models at its September event. Last year we got display upgrades, and this year, there could be new health features. We've recapped all of the current Apple Watch Series 11 rumors for a quick preview of what might be coming.
Faster Chip
Apple is likely planning to introduce an updated S11 chip that offers a more compact, efficient design. We could see improvements in processor performance to increase overall battery life, along with additional space for a bigger battery or other internal components.
Updated Modem Chip
The Apple Watch Series 11 models could adopt new modems from MediaTek with 5G RedCap support. 5G RedCap is a 5G service that's designed for wearables that don't need standard 5G speeds.
Right now, the Apple Watch models are limited to LTE speeds, but 5G RedCap could bring connectivity improvements.
Blood Pressure Alerts
Apple is working on a blood pressure monitoring feature, though it continues to be unclear if it will be ready for launch in the 2025 models. Apple ran into development issues with accuracy and reliability that could push the feature back, but we haven't heard anything lately and it's possible Apple was able to fix the problems.
If we do get blood pressure monitoring for the Apple Watch, it's not going to provide exact systolic and diastolic measurements like a standard blood pressure cuff or monitoring device.
Instead, it will monitor for hypertension and will notify Apple Watch users if the condition is detected over time. Hypertension is a health issue where blood pressure stays high over time, and it is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
An Apple Watch user who is notified about hypertension will be able to provide that information to a medical professional for additional testing, similar to how the existing features for detecting atrial fibrillation can be used as an early warning system.
watchOS 26 Features
The Apple Watch Series 11 will run watchOS 26, which Apple is beta testing now. watchOS 26 includes an all-new Workout Buddy that is designed to motivate you during workouts.
Workout Buddy relies on a paired iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, and it uses a text-to-speech generative AI model created using voice data from real Apple Fitness+ trainers. Workout Buddy sounds like a real personal trainer that can encourage you to get through your workout and meet your fitness goals.
watchOS 26 also includes a Liquid Glass redesign that matches the Liquid Glass look of iOS 26, plus it has an updated Smart Stack, a revamped Control Center, new gestures, and more.
A full list of what's new in watchOS 26 can be found in our watchOS 26 roundup.
Sleep Score
In iOS 26 code, we found signs that suggest Apple is working on a sleep score feature for the Apple Watch.
Little is known about Apple's work on the option right now, but Apple could perhaps provide a sleep-related score that will predict how well you'll be able to function during the day based on the amount of sleep that you got the night before.
Many health tracking devices offer a sleep score, but it's something that Apple has not provided with the Apple Watch yet. The Apple Watch has sleep tracking and separates sleep into REM, Core, and Deep, plus Apple provides time in bed and time awake metrics.
The sleep score could take into account multiple health metrics, like the Vitals option that came in watchOS 11.
There is no sign of the sleep score feature in watchOS 26, so it's possible that it's something that will be exclusive to the 2025 Apple Watch models.
Apple Watch Anniversary
2025 actually marks the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch. There were rumors that Apple could debut a special anniversary edition of the Apple Watch with a major design overhaul that included a new magnetic band attachment system and a thinner casing.
With the Series 10, Apple introduced a slimmed down Apple Watch, but there was no sign of the rumored band attachment system.
We're still not expecting anything new with bands in the Series 11, but Apple could acknowledge the anniversary in some way.
Blood Oxygen Monitoring
Blood oxygen monitoring remains unavailable on Apple Watch models sold in the United States, and there are no signs that the feature will return with the Apple Watch Series 11.
Article Link: Apple Watch Series 11 Launching Next Month With These New Features
I’m happy with my Ultra 2 (with functioning oxygen sensor software) paired with my 14 Pro (with no AI) so I can go for a run and not have a fake voice tell me “good job, keep it up!” Lol. There’s no compelling reason for me to upgrade for years yet, especially considering I’m broke.
I have an AW7, and I don't think anything I see here is compelling. Until a 36-hour battery is included or FaceTime, I am fine with what I have.
You'll be holding out for a loong time...
They sued Apple claiming infringement, but were unable to convince a jury that Apple had done so. Six of the 7 members voted against Masimo, but since the lone hold out could not be persuaded there was no verdict. The ITC’s process is very different and Apple is appalling its decision. Masimo was seeking $100 a watch for a feature that is clearly not that important to most people (given that Apple Watch sales do not seem to have been meaningfully affected).
Sure, they invented it, but filing patents only after Apple revealed the feature? That’s not innovation, it’s opportunism hiding behind a patent.
Apple didn’t patent it first because Masimo already locked up the base tech decades ago. What Apple did was take a dusty hospital grade idea and finally make it wearable, sleek, and useful to millions.
Riding out my Ultra 2.0 until the oxygen sensor returns. Unacceptable it’s not back yet.
There is a world outside the US where the blood oxygen feature works just fine.
That said, it's a niche feature for anyone who doesn't specifically need to monitor that.
What would motivate me to replace my Series 7 (which is just great IMO) would be BP monitoring.
That said, it's a niche feature for anyone who doesn't specifically need to monitor that.
What would motivate me to replace my Series 7 (which is just great IMO) would be BP monitoring.
Yeah, that's my fear. But I'm pleased with the Garmins I've been using forever, so I can do without.
They have not even been able to win an actual court case in front of a jury. Masimo was unable to convince 7 jurors that Apple infringed (6 voted against Masimo and one voted four them, leading to a hung jury). The ITC case is only about importing the tech, so for example, if Apple started making some of their watches here, they would be able to include the feature even if they exported them to other places.
Not really, exclusively. It is because Masimo lost the jury arguing that Apple infringed. The ITC case just prevents the tech from being imported.