'Noticeably Thinner' Apple Watch Series 10 to Eventually Get Sleep Apnea Detection

The Apple Watch Series 10 will include a new sleep apnea detection feature, but it may not be available as soon as the new model launches, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

apple watch series 9 display
Sleep apnea detection, which builds on the watch's existing sleep tracking, will attempt to determine if a wearer has sleep apnea and then suggest further testing with a medical professional.

Gurman had expressed doubt about the feature's inclusion in the 2024 Apple Watch model, previously reporting that Apple's efforts hadn't gone smoothly and that it had "run into some serious snags."

The sleep apnea detection feature was said to be in trouble because it relies on blood oxygen saturation, which Apple Watches in the United States cannot currently measure due to an ongoing legal dispute with Masimo.

Gurman previously suggested that the dispute with Masimo could be resolved by September, or Apple could find a way around it by arguing that the blood oxygen sensor could be used for purposes that are not directly related to blood oxygen levels. Either way, the Apple Watch Series 10 model will eventually feature sleep apnea detection, perhaps via a later software update.

Meanwhile, the new hypertension detection (high blood pressure) feature Apple appears to have been working on has been insufficiently reliable during testing, suggesting the feature is being delayed and "no longer on the cards for an immediate release," according to Gurman.

The overall design of the Apple Watch Series 10 is said to be similar to the Apple Watch Series 9, but Apple has given them slightly larger screen-size options and the watch case itself is said to be noticeably thinner. Apple is expected to unveil the new models alongside the iPhone 16 at its September 9 event.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive These Five Perks

Wednesday July 9, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, did you know that Apple offers you five perks beyond the extra storage space, at no additional cost? Here are the perks included with all iCloud+ plans:Private Relay keeps your Safari browsing history entirely private from network providers, websites, and even Apple. Hide My Email generates unique, random email addresses whenever needed. Hom...

Top Rated Comments

Hessian Avatar
11 months ago
License the oxygen sensor technology already, Apple. Upgrading is a no go without it.

This new “feature” is software. O2 sensor is the key in all of this.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
11 months ago
I wouldn't hold my breath.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dulcimer Avatar
11 months ago
This really exemplifies how Apple launches products these days, doesn’t it?

Half-baked products—software and hardware—marketed with the full Apple Premium™ potential that ultimately launch in a staggered state several months after the fact.

And what kind of brand is Apple when they take in top-of-industry profit margins but can’t be bothered to resolve the SpO2 patent licensing issue? This was a feature marketed by Apple for years that is just gone. Will that happen to this Sleep Apnea feature someday?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AndiG Avatar
11 months ago

If a thinner watch doesn't have improved battery life thats a no go for me. My 3 year old S6 can barely last a day, and with few big changes on S7-S9, I'd want a watch that can last longer to start with before I'll upgrade. Keeping the same battery life but making it thinner doesn't really matter in my mind, since we've all gotten so used to the current setup.

Also Apple just needs to license the tech for the watch. They can afford it easily, taking away features over a petty dispute isn't winning any fans.
"notably thinner" is a quite diffuse explanation. If it is 1mm, I'll give it a "Meh". If it is 3mm, it could draw my interest.
But I am with you, I would prefer three days of battery life - or a week over a thinner version.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StuBeck Avatar
11 months ago
If a thinner watch doesn't have improved battery life thats a no go for me. My 3 year old S6 can barely last a day, and with few big changes on S7-S9, I'd want a watch that can last longer to start with before I'll upgrade. Keeping the same battery life but making it thinner doesn't really matter in my mind, since we've all gotten so used to the current setup.

Also Apple just needs to license the tech for the watch. They can afford it easily, taking away features over a petty dispute isn't winning any fans.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
meetree Avatar
11 months ago

So, Apple, keep the same thickness and just make the battery 5%+ larger to give us more run-time! My S7 lasts about 24 hours but I would really like it to last a lot longer. I hate going away for a day trip and having to drag my charger around.
"A lot longer" and "5% more" are not the same thing. Adding 2 extra hours to 24 doesn’t make much difference — it’s a minor change.

If I needed 3 days of battery life, I’d buy the Ultra. If I needed 14 days, I’d go with Garmin.

But for the AW10, I want a new design and I’m fine with the same battery life.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)