Apple Watch Series 10 Could Have Upgraded Heart Rate Sensor and Better Water Resistance

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 3 models that Apple will introduce next week could include an updated heart rate and ECG sensor that will enable new health features like sleep apnea detection, reports 9to5Mac. Sleep apnea detection has been long rumored for the Series 10, but it was believed to rely on blood oxygen monitoring, a feature that is disabled in current-generation U.S. Apple Watch models due to patent issues.

apple watch series 9 pink
Sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing while asleep, which can lead to excessive tiredness. It is usually diagnosed through a sleep study, and fixing it requires a breathing apparatus like a CPAP machine. The Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 3 will reportedly be able to detect sleep apnea using Apple Watch sleep tracking, providing a reading after collecting sleep data for several days.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that the new Apple Watch Series 10 models will have larger 45mm and 49mm display sizes, but 9to5Mac claims that the resolutions are lower than current 45mm and 49mm models, and the site believes that the Series 10 will come in 44mm and 48mm sizes. The new watch sizes will be highlighted by a new "Reflections" watch face, as well as a "Regatta" Hermès watch face.

The Hermès watch face will also be available on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, hinting at the first Hermès band for the Ultra. An Hermès band with what could be titanium lugs was recently spotted on eBay, further suggesting that Hermès will design bands for the larger, more rugged Apple Watch.

With the display size increase and a redesign that will see the new model offering reduced thickness, Apple could also boost water resistance, certifying the device for high-speed water sports up to 20 meters deep. The new Series 10 models may get the Depth app, which was first introduced for the Apple Watch Ultra.

Other new features coming to the Series 10 include an upgraded S10 chip and new OLED display technology that is more power efficient. More information on rumors we've heard about the Series 10 can be found in our guide.

There are no other features planned for the Apple Watch Ultra, and though not mentioned in the report, Apple also plans to refresh the Apple Watch SE.

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

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Top Rated Comments

4k78 Avatar
27 weeks ago
My wife is my sleep apnea sensor. ?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jarman92 Avatar
27 weeks ago
Pretty remarkable how almost everything about the new iPhones is known well in advance but the Watches are like a total surprise every year.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CloneBB Avatar
27 weeks ago

How would sleep apnea work when the majority probably charge the watch overnight
I assume you weren’t being serious with that question.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PsykX Avatar
27 weeks ago

How would sleep apnea work when the majority probably charge the watch overnight
Yeah, how's that supposed to work.

Everybody knows Apple restricts charging of the Apple Watch, it needs to be done between midnight and 6 AM absolutely, or else they get the info through their Cloud and send you an "Apple Tax" bill through a bailiff.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M-Life Avatar
27 weeks ago

yawn sounds boring already
You sound tired. Seems like you could use that Sleep Apnea detection.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
twolf2919 Avatar
27 weeks ago
Apple should just bite the bullet and pay Massimo (the company who has the patents on the O2 sensors Apple apparently used without asking). I don't know how many people, like me, would not upgrade to something they'd consider a 'lesser' product if it lacks a sensor their current watch has? I have the original Ultra and have always upgraded to a new watch whenever a new sensor was added. Already skipped the Ultra 2 because I'd have a disabled O2 sensor. I was hoping that they'd at least a hypertension 'sensor' (i.e. an imprecise blood pressure monitor) this time around - but even that seems unlikely now :-(

Sadly, the AW hasn't changed all that much in the last couple years - not sure when the imprecise temp sensor (solely to help women with ovulation related matters?) was added, but I think that was the last 'new' sensor I can remember. And, of course the removal of the O2 sensor :-(

I wear an Ultra - so obviously slimmer and lighter isn't a priority for me :-)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)