Apple is expanding the health and fitness capabilities of its devices with a new Health Sensing System for Apple Watch and an updated Health app for iPhone. The company says the new features are designed to provide users with more detailed, science-based insights into their physical condition while keeping personal health information private and under their control.
The new system will debut on Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, while the redesigned Health app is expected to arrive on iPhone later this year. The updates combine advanced health sensors on Apple Watch with Apple Intelligence to turn biometric information into easier-to-understand insights about daily wellbeing, fitness and long-term health.
More Frequent Heart Rate Monitoring
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 will feature upgraded optical and electrical heart sensors. The technology enables more frequent measurements of heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV), along with a new readiness score and an expanded Vitals experience. Apple said a scientific study involving more than 1,000 participants across demographic groups found that the new Apple Watch heart-rate sensing system delivered the highest heart-rate accuracy among the wearable devices included in the comparison.
The watches also use larger, power-efficient green LEDs in their optical heart sensors. This allows them to measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day. The more frequent readings are intended to provide a clearer picture of users’ fitness and physiological condition. Apple says the data will also help improve the accuracy of Exercise and Move activity measurements.
New Readiness Insights
The new readiness experience is designed to help users understand their body’s capacity for the day. Higher-frequency heart-rate and HRV measurements will contribute to the broader health picture, allowing users to track changes in their physiological state.
Users will also be able to view their current heart rate more easily throughout the day through an updated Heart Rate app and new watch-face complications.
Apple Intelligence Comes to Health
The redesigned Health app will bring together long-term health information while using Apple Intelligence to provide more accessible insights related to health and longevity. Apple’s health chief, Sumbul Desai, said combining advanced sensing with Apple Intelligence can turn complex biometric data into clearer guidance for users.
The company emphasized that the new features are designed around privacy, with health information remaining under users’ control as Apple expands its focus on health and fitness technology.
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