New Health Features for Older Apple Watches

Apple has unveiled several new health-oriented features that don't require you to buy the latest watch model. With the impending release of watchOS 26, devices starting from the Watch Series 9 and the previous generation Watch Ultra 2 will gain access to hypertension alerts, real-time translation, and a gesture control feature.

Hypertension Alerts

The upcoming hypertension monitoring capability relies on the existing optical heart sensor within Apple Watches. This sensor assesses the response of blood vessels to heartbeats, and an algorithm evaluates these observations for the potential presence of elevated blood pressure, notifying the user if any discrepancies are found. Expecting approval from health authorities like the FDA soon, Apple plans to debut this function in over 150 countries.

Expanding the Sleep Score Feature

In addition to new features, Apple's Sleep Score tool will be available on a wider range of watches beyond the newest models. It will soon be accessible on the Watch Series 6 and subsequent models, including all Watch Ultra variants and the second-generation Watch SE. Utilizing metrics like heart rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen, and breathing, this feature provides insights on sleep quality when paired with an iPhone 11 or newer.

Availability

These enhancements will be part of the watchOS 26 update, set to launch on September 15th.