Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, has shared exciting details about the upcoming 2024 Apple Watch models, promising a leap in both aesthetics and functionality.
A key highlight is the introduction of a revamped design for at least one of the models. Although the specifics remain under wraps, speculation points to the standard model possibly being the one receiving this makeover. This follows the 2022 launch of the Apple Watch Ultra, which might see the addition of a larger microLED display, although this technology is not expected to be integrated until 2025 or 2026.
Gurman has previously indicated that a significant update might be in store to mark the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch. With its initial announcement in September 2014 and launch in April 2015, it’s a bit ambiguous whether this milestone will be celebrated in 2024 or 2025. Nonetheless, the upcoming “Apple Watch Series 10” in 2024 is poised to possibly be the anniversary model, featuring a sleeker design and a novel magnetic band connection mechanism.
But it is the health features that are set to be the biggest draw. The next-generation Apple Watch is expected to offer groundbreaking capabilities in detecting hypertension and sleep apnea, two prevalent health conditions. Blood pressure monitoring will be performed directly from the wrist, alerting users to trends in their blood pressure, though not providing specific readings. This advancement represents a significant engineering feat.
The ability to detect sleep apnea will be another notable addition, using sleep measurements and breathing patterns to alert users to the presence of the condition. This feature could simplify the diagnosis process, which typically requires an overnight stay in a sleep center, and assist in identifying milder, often undiagnosed cases.
Apple’s tradition of annual updates to its Watch series suggests that the new model will likely debut around September 2024, aligning with the release of the iPhone 16 lineup.