Getting down to the components of the Apple Watch Series 10, while there were rumors that the new version of the smartwatch would feature a new heart and ECG sensor, Apple may be going with the components from the Apple Watch Series 9.
Per the technical specifications for the Apple Watch Series 10, it is equipped with a third-generation optical heart sensor, which is the same sensor that was used in the prior-generation Series 9.
Apple made no mention of the heart rate sensor during Monday’s media event, and there’s no information about upgraded hardware on the Apple Watch Series 10 product page.
The previous rumor stated that the alleged upgraded heart sensor would “unlock new features and provide more accurate results.” A rumor published by 9to5Mac stated that the new sensor would enable sleep apnea detection, but as Apple explained yesterday, sleep apnea detection actually uses the accelerometer. Sleep apnea detection did not require an upgrade to the heart sensor, and it is in fact also being added to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, both of which have the same third-generation heart sensor as the Series 10.
Although Apple was said to be working on blood pressure monitoring for the Series 10, the feature does not appear to have been ready in time for the device’s launch. Apple highlighted no other new health features other than the ability to detect sleep apnea.
Among the highlighted points were the thinner bezel and the lighter weight as opposed to prior Apple Watch models. the Series 10 has a new water temperature sensor, depth sensor, Oceanic+ app for snorkeling, and Tides app, which brings functionality closer to the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
The Apple Watch Series 10 models are available for pre-order and will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 20.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.