'Noticeably Thinner' Apple Watch Series 10 to Eventually Get Sleep Apnea Detection

[MacRumors]

The Apple Watch Series 10 will include a new sleep apnea detection feature, but it may not be available as soon as the new model launches, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Sleep apnea detection, which builds on the watch's existing sleep tracking, will attempt to determine if a wearer has sleep apnea and then suggest further testing with a medical professional.

Gurman had expressed doubt about the feature's inclusion in the 2024 Apple Watch model, previously reporting that Apple's efforts hadn't gone smoothly and that it had "run into some serious snags."

The sleep apnea detection feature was said to be in trouble because it relies on blood oxygen saturation, which Apple Watches in the United States cannot currently measure due to an ongoing legal dispute with Masimo.

Gurman previously suggested that the dispute with Masimo could be resolved by September, or Apple could find a way around it by arguing that the blood oxygen sensor could be used for purposes that are not directly related to blood oxygen levels. Either way, the Apple Watch Series 10 model will eventually feature sleep apnea detection, perhaps via a later software update.

Meanwhile, the new hypertension detection (high blood pressure) feature Apple appears to have been working on has been insufficiently reliable during testing, suggesting the feature is being delayed and "no longer on the cards for an immediate release," according to Gurman.

The overall design of the Apple Watch Series 10 is said to be similar to the Apple Watch Series 9, but Apple has given them slightly larger screen-size options and the watch case itself is said to be noticeably thinner. Apple is expected to unveil the new models alongside the iPhone 16 at its September 9 event.

Article Link: 'Noticeably Thinner' Apple Watch Series 10 to Eventually Get Sleep Apnea Detection

 

[Hessian]

License the oxygen sensor technology already, Apple. Upgrading is a no go without it.

This new “feature” is software. O2 sensor is the key in all of this.

 

[bradman83]

So the sleep apnea detection feature (and a return to the blood oxygen monitoring feature) is dependent in the US on Apple winning a legal appeal (or caving in and reaching a settlement with Masimo). Not exactly solid marketing.

 

[StuBeck]

If a thinner watch doesn't have improved battery life thats a no go for me. My 3 year old S6 can barely last a day, and with few big changes on S7-S9, I'd want a watch that can last longer to start with before I'll upgrade. Keeping the same battery life but making it thinner doesn't really matter in my mind, since we've all gotten so used to the current setup.

Also Apple just needs to license the tech for the watch. They can afford it easily, taking away features over a petty dispute isn't winning any fans.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I don't think there is anything Apple could add that would convince me to wear my watch to bed.. ugh..!

Tried it for three months back when I had the series 3 and never got used to it.

 

[citysnaps]

So the sleep apnea detection feature (and a return to the blood oxygen monitoring feature) is dependent in the US on Apple winning a legal appeal (or caving in and reaching a settlement with Masimo). Not exactly solid marketing.

Where has Apple marketed that feature, or even mentioned it?

 

[klasma]

I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[Dulcimer]

This really exemplifies how Apple launches products these days, doesn’t it?

Half-baked products—software and hardware—marketed with the full Apple Premium™ potential that ultimately launch in a staggered state several months after the fact.

And what kind of brand is Apple when they take in top-of-industry profit margins but can’t be bothered to resolve the SpO2 patent licensing issue? This was a feature marketed by Apple for years that is just gone. Will that happen to this Sleep Apnea feature someday?

 

[polyphenol]

Pricing rumours?

 

[ericinboston]

If a thinner watch doesn't have improved battery life thats a no go for me. My 3 year old S6 can barely last a day, and with few big changes on S7-S9, I'd want a watch that can last longer to start with before I'll upgrade. Keeping the same battery life but making it thinner doesn't really matter in my mind, since we've all gotten so used to the current setup.

Apple...the watch doesn't need to be thinner! Look at the zillions of watches sold for decades (especially to men)...most men actually prefer a thicker, larger, watch. So, Apple, keep the same thickness and just make the battery 5%+ larger to give us more run-time! My S7 lasts about 24 hours but I would really like it to last a lot longer. I hate going away for a day trip and having to drag my charger around.

I'd also advocate for a larger "display"...I have the 45mm. Can Apple either use the same 45mm footprint and squeeze in a larger display or offer the 49mm display for the normal $399 price? It would be great to be able to see more text at once or even just increase the font a bit more than the max size it currently can do.

 

[AndiG]

If a thinner watch doesn't have improved battery life thats a no go for me. My 3 year old S6 can barely last a day, and with few big changes on S7-S9, I'd want a watch that can last longer to start with before I'll upgrade. Keeping the same battery life but making it thinner doesn't really matter in my mind, since we've all gotten so used to the current setup.

Also Apple just needs to license the tech for the watch. They can afford it easily, taking away features over a petty dispute isn't winning any fans.

"notably thinner" is a quite diffuse explanation. If it is 1mm, I'll give it a "Meh". If it is 3mm, it could draw my interest.
But I am with you, I would prefer three days of battery life - or a week over a thinner version.

 

[DrRadon]

fpt called out the watch to be thicker. I think at this point we just got to deal with the fact that no one actually knows and Apple will tell us on Monday.

 

[manhattanmania]

Gurman says no blood oxygen sensor. That would be insane after a year of this patent dispute. Figure it out or license til you can. There’s no excuse here - it’s a major feature and a hard no from me for upgrading without it.

Also - how the heck would sleep apnea be detected without measuring oxygen levels while sleeping?!

 

[peneaux]

I wasn’t happy with Apple increasing again the size of the watch but making it thinner got my interest.

 

[phoenixcat]

Gurman says no blood oxygen sensor. That would be insane after a year of this patent dispute. Figure it out or license til you can. There’s no excuse here - it’s a major feature and a hard no from me for upgrading without it.

Also - how the heck would sleep apnea be detected without measuring oxygen levels while sleeping?!

I live in the uk so I hope there is an oxygen sensor outside of the US otherwise I’ll stick with my S6 until they sort it out.

 

[al404]

Maybe they should be able to get at least at 1 week of battery life before thinking at thinner and Apnea
How do you monitor apnea if you need to charge the watch during the night

I moved to Garmin and with an OLED watch, no sync I almost get 3 weeks of battery life

 

[meetree]

So, Apple, keep the same thickness and just make the battery 5%+ larger to give us more run-time! My S7 lasts about 24 hours but I would really like it to last a lot longer. I hate going away for a day trip and having to drag my charger around.

"A lot longer" and "5% more" are not the same thing. Adding 2 extra hours to 24 doesn’t make much difference — it’s a minor change.

If I needed 3 days of battery life, I’d buy the Ultra. If I needed 14 days, I’d go with Garmin.

But for the AW10, I want a new design and I’m fine with the same battery life.

 

[scrapesleon]

idk why they don't pay Masimo and stop using people features without their permission

 

[Razorpit]

License the oxygen sensor technology already, Apple. Upgrading is a no go without it.

This new “feature” is software. O2 sensor is the key in all of this.

If a thinner watch doesn't have improved battery life thats a no go for me. My 3 year old S6 can barely last a day, and with few big changes on S7-S9, I'd want a watch that can last longer to start with before I'll upgrade. Keeping the same battery life but making it thinner doesn't really matter in my mind, since we've all gotten so used to the current setup.

Also Apple just needs to license the tech for the watch. They can afford it easily, taking away features over a petty dispute isn't winning any fans.

If I remember correctly it's Masimo giving Apple a hard time on licensing the technology. Apple tried repeatedly by Masimo declined. There's several angles you can take on that, not sure Masimo is doing the right thing long-term on that decision if true.

Maybe they should be able to get at least at 1 week of battery life before thinking at thinner and Apnea
How do you monitor apnea if you need to charge the watch during the night

I moved to Garmin and with an OLED watch, no sync I almost get 3 weeks of battery life

You don't need to charge during the night. I wear my series 7 practically 24/7. My days include 30-45 minute walks without my phone, playing in hour + hockey games, coaching hour + hockey practices, and never run out of battery.

Yes, it stinks that I have to put it on the charger when I'm in the shower, or eating dinner, or the hour or two I wind down at night and either watch something on TV or read, but it's not that hard to keep the watch going overnight.

Do I wish for better battery life? Absolutely. That's why my next watch will be an Ultra. I wish they were around when I bought my 7.

 

[jz0309]

So sleep apnea detection appears to be a SW feature and not requiring a new sensor, other than of course bringing back SpO2, which is also disabled by SW, so could it come to older watches?
and not having blood pressure will be a big disappointment for me, really need some new health features

 

[bradman83]

Where has Apple marketed that feature, or even mentioned it?

How to use the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch - Apple Support

The Blood Oxygen app can allow you to measure the oxygen level of your blood on-demand directly from your wrist, providing you with insights into your overall wellness.

support.apple.com

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

If a thinner watch doesn't have improved battery life thats a no go for me. My 3 year old S6 can barely last a day, and with few big changes on S7-S9, I'd want a watch that can last longer to start with before I'll upgrade. Keeping the same battery life but making it thinner doesn't really matter in my mind, since we've all gotten so used to the current setup.

Also Apple just needs to license the tech for the watch. They can afford it easily, taking away features over a petty dispute isn't winning any fans.

Agree.

I’d upgrade in a heartbeat for 2x battery life.

I’d even upgrade if Series 10 is just 1/1 rehash of Series 9 but with 2x battery life.

Conversely, I don’t care about any other sensors or features they add.

Watch is a great product as is. But it’s profoundly crippled by its 1/2-3/4 of a day battery life.

 

[citysnaps]

How to use the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch - Apple Support

The Blood Oxygen app can allow you to measure the oxygen level of your blood on-demand directly from your wrist, providing you with insights into your overall wellness.

support.apple.com

The blood oxygen monitoring feature was discontinued back in January for all newly purchased Apple Watches. What you linked to above is a how to use document for people who own a an Apple Watch purchased prior to the patent dispute resolution.

Where is Apple *marketing* (which means promoting that feature to drive Watch sales) that feature?

 

[bradman83]

The blood oxygen monitoring feature was discontinued back in January for all newly purchased Apple Watches. What you linked to above is a how to use document for people who own a an Apple Watch purchased prior to the patent dispute resolution.

Where is Apple *marketing* (which means promoting that feature to drive Watch sales) that feature?

Blood oxygen monitoring was disabled strictly for new watches sold in the United States after January; it's still available on new watches sold just about everywhere else in the world. Look at the Apple Watch marketing materials for Canada, for example, and blood oxygen monitoring is still listed as a feature. That goes back to my original point - if a major new feature for the Apple Watch is going to be sleep apnea detection and it relies on the blood oxygen sensor technology that's available in every market except the US then it's going to be challenging to market that via the keynote.

 

[manhattanmania]

Gurman says no blood oxygen sensor. That would be insane after a year of this patent dispute. Figure it out or license til you can. There’s no excuse here - it’s a major feature and a hard no from me for upgrading without it.

Also - how the heck would sleep apnea be detected without measuring oxygen levels while sleeping?!

Here’s the actual wording from the article.
He doesn’t say no blood oxygen, just “no evidence“
Also doesn’t explain how the sleep apnea feature works.

Gurman is often wrong, so I guess we’ll find out on Monday what the actual deal is.