Apple Watch Series 8 Might Be Able to Tell If You Have a Fever

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 will be able to tell a wearer if it believes they have a fever due to a higher than normal body temperature thanks to a new built-in sensor, according to Bloomberg's reliable Mark Gurman.

Apple Watch Series 8 What We Know Feature
Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman says that the Apple Watch Series 8 will feature a new body temperature sensor, given that the sensor passes Apple's internal testing.

Gurman notes, however, that he believes the sensor is "a go" for both the standard Series 8 and a new "rugged model" designed for athletes. Unlike a traditional dedicated thermometer, the Apple Watch will not give users a direct reading of their current body temperature but will instead directly alert users if it believes they have a fever.

You can expect some new health-tracking features in this year's Apple Watch. In April, I reported that Apple has been aiming to add body-temperature detection to its Series 8 model, assuming the capability passes muster during internal testing. I now believe the feature is a go for both the standard Apple Watch Series 8 and a new rugged edition that's aimed at extreme sports athletes.

In January, Gurman said that internal chatter of a body temperature sensor for the Apple Watch Series 8 had slowed down. Since then, enthusiasm for the feature has apparently increased within Apple, helping push development forward. Apple has frequently added new sensors and health capabilities to the Apple Watch, with the last addition being the blood oxygen sensor in the Apple Watch Series 6.

Besides the new body temperature sensor, the Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to maintain the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7, including the same processor as the Series 6 and 7. Gurman today noted that the Apple Watch Series 8 might include updated displays in the higher-end models.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

dgdosen Avatar
37 months ago
Cmon, Apple - blood sugar, blood pressure or go home...
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jollydogfellow Avatar
37 months ago
Okay, but will it have an internal cowbell?
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jim Lahey Avatar
37 months ago
I prefer the old fashioned way of being sick...feeling sick.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Dee Avatar
37 months ago
I just bought the Watch Series 7 for my mom. I’m still on my Series 3 and it does about everything I need. The ability to determine if you have a fever is a welcome addition. Not necessarily a reason to buy an Apple Watch. But if you are exposed to COVID and you are getting exposure alerts, this can help you make a smarter decision about what to do faster.

Overall, I feel like internally, the Apple Watch is starting to hit a brick wall. It’s understandable considering the space. They can’t make it any bigger either since it will start to look too abnormal. Creating newer sensors too seem to be a major challenge.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Macalway Avatar
37 months ago
My goodness! A built in thermometer. Now I can be paranoid 24/7.

Thank you Apple!

So many possibilities. Blood pressure, DNA integrity scan.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cognizant. Avatar
37 months ago

A temperature sensor certainly does not hurt anything. I’m thinking it is a reaction to “safety” culture that has pervaded the world the past 30 months.
I can see this being useful to prevent heat stroke while exercising outside ... or just as a warning when being in the sun in general. There's a lot of things this can be used for that you might not realize. I don't understand the hate for these health features.



I have come to the conclusion not to trust the Apple Watch when it comes to health metrics. I once had the AW alert me that I might being having a heart attack and wanted to know if it should call 911? The only problem was it was 6 hours after the fact and at the time I was moving around heavy equipment (which the AW said I wasn't doing anything strenuous ?). So I went into the settings and turned that feature off, I rather someone walk up to my dead body than have it call 911 that isn't a real emergency. ?
And then there's the countless other people that it actually helped prevent things like this. Obviously you shouldn't rely on your watch for everything and should try and be acutely aware of your own personal well being, but that doesn't mean it's not useful to some people.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)