Future Apple Watch Sensors May Match Watch Face Color to Your Band and Clothes

Apple is considering adding color sampling sensors to future Apple Watch models that would allow watch faces to match the color of the user's band and clothing (via Apple Insider).

Apple Watch International AUS BEL BRA Feature
In a patent this week granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, titled "Electronic Devices with Color Sampling Sensors," Apple describes how light sensors under the Apple Watch display could measure the color of external objects, with the aim of matching the background of the currently displayed watch face with the color of the wearer's clothing and band choice.

The patent explains how an optical sensor such as a camera, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, fingerprint sensor, or other light-based under-screen sensor could sample colors by emitting a sequence of red, green, and blue light towards an external object placed in its line of sight and measuring the RGB reflectance levels.

Control circuitry in the watch would then apply a band-specific algorithm to the color sample and match it with a predetermined list of watch band colors, while a clothing-specific algorithm would match the clothing within a specific color gamut.

After applying constraints to possible display colors, the control circuitry would mimic the sampled color on the Apple Watch face background, for a desirable uniform look.

As with any filed patent, the technology it describes is unlikely to launch in an Apple Watch anytime in the near future, if at all, but it does offer an interesting look at how Apple is exploring ways to make its flagship smartwatch a more color-coordinated timepiece as well as a health and fitness device.

Apple is continually researching ways to extend the range of sensors in the Apple Watch, which already includes heart rate tracking, irregular heart rhythm notifications, the ECG app, blood oxygen measuring, fall detection, and more.

In 2020, CEO Tim Cook said Apple is still "in the early innings" with the device, noting that the company is testing "mind blowing" capabilities in its labs, although not everything will see the light of day. "Think about the amount of sensors in your car," said Cook, adding "and arguably, your body is much more important than your car."

In February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple has made major progress with its noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology, allowing diabetics and others to test their blood glucose levels without needing to prick the skin for blood testing. However, it is still said to be several years away from being introduced in a future Apple Watch model.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: Patent
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Thursday September 25, 2025 1:11 pm PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept based on rumors This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report last month, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform ...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Event in October? Here's What to Expect

Monday September 29, 2025 9:31 am PDT by
Apple's annual iPhone event is in the rearview mirror, but rumors suggest the company plans to release a handful of additional products before the year ends. Will there be another Apple event this October? We discuss the possibility below. Apple in October Apple's most recent October events were in 2021 and 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Apple did not host an October event. Instead, it...
iOS 26

Apple Continues to Prepare iOS 26.0.1 With Multiple Bug Fixes Expected

Sunday September 28, 2025 1:30 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The account initially said iOS 26.0.1 would have a build number of 23A350, but they now expect the update to have a build number of 23A355. This suggests that the software update will include more bug fixes or changes than initially...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pro Nears Mass Production, But Four Bigger Upgrades Expected Next Year

Sunday September 28, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next MacBook Pro models will enter mass production soon, according to the latest information shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said he continues to believe the new MacBook Pro models will be released at some point between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meaning they should be available to order by March at the latest. Apple often...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.0.1 With Fixes for Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Camera Issues on iPhone 17 Models

Monday September 29, 2025 10:12 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1, the first updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out earlier this week. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes for the update, iOS 26.0.1 addresses a bug that could cause aberrations in...
iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

iPhone 16 Pro Max 80% Charge Limit: One Year Later, Was It Worth It?

Wednesday September 24, 2025 3:58 pm PDT by
With the iPhone 15 series, I did an experiment and kept my iPhone's Charge Limit set at 80 percent for an entire year. It provided an interesting look at the impact of charge limits on battery longevity, so I decided to repeat it for the iPhone 16 line. Since September 2024, my iPhone 16 Pro Max has been limited to an 80 percent charge, with no cheating. As of today, my battery's maximum...
maxresdefault

New iPad Pro With M5 Chip Leaked in Unboxing Video

Tuesday September 30, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
An apparent unboxing video for an unannounced iPad Pro with the M5 chip was uploaded to YouTube today by Russian channel Wylsacom. The same YouTube account leaked the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip before it was announced by Apple last year, so this is likely a legitimate leak. Based on the box shown in the video, this appears to be a 13-inch iPad Pro with an M5 chip, 256GB of...
iphone 17 ceramic shield

Regular iPhone 17's USB-C Charging Speeds Tested With Apple Chargers

Friday September 26, 2025 9:01 am PDT by
The website ChargerLAB has tested the standard iPhone 17 model's USB-C charging speeds with a variety of Apple's chargers, from 18W to 140W. The device reached a peak charging speed of around 27W to 28W with these Apple chargers:29W USB-C Power Adapter 30W USB-C Power Adapter 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max...
LG UltraFine 6K Display TB5

LG UltraFine 6K (32U990A) TB5 Display: Pre-Orders Open September 30

Monday September 29, 2025 6:21 am PDT by
Pre-orders for LG's new UltraFine evo 6K display (model 32U990A) with Thunderbolt 5 support will begin on September 30, according to a major U.S. retailer listing. LG first revealed the 32-inch display at CES 2025 in January, teasing its status as the first monitor to support Thunderbolt 5. At the time, LG only provided high-level specs, but left pricing, availability, and full technical...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent 1

Samsung Confirms Plan to Make Foldable Displays for Major American Company

Monday September 29, 2025 6:54 am PDT by
Samsung Display president Lee Cheong has confirmed plans to make foldable smartphone displays for a major American company, which is widely believed to be Apple. As reported in Chosun Biz, Cheong last week told journalists in Seoul that the company is accelerating preparations for mass production of OLED displays designed for foldable smartphones to be supplied to a "North American client."...

Top Rated Comments

colmaclean Avatar
28 months ago
Sorry, there's no room for a blood-glucose monitor because of the new wallpaper pattern scanner.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
28 months ago

Gimmick
Nothing new: “iNnoVaTIon”

Something new: “Gimmick”

Never stops.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
28 months ago
Nice gimmick but multi-iPhone support for one Apple Watch would be way cooler.

Imagine you connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone from Work and the interface, apps, settings etc. automatically change to the one related to this iPhone. Connecting your Apple Watch to your personal iPhone would automatically switch out everything to your private settings etc
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
28 months ago

Sorry, there's no room for a blood-glucose monitor because of the new wallpaper pattern scanner.
Yep that’s definitely the reason. Not the technology not being fully cooked for accurate readings.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RickDEGH Avatar
28 months ago
When did people start putting these ridiculous-looking armbands on their wrists?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pinkyyy ?? Avatar
27 months ago
This would be such a fun and cool feature to have in my opinion !
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)