The “Apple Watch Series 6,” which should debut this fall, will include new health-focused features, such as blood oxygen detection and improved ECG functionality, says a report from 9to5Mac.
While the Apple Watch has included the technology to allow for blood oxygen detection since its first version, it has never been enabled. However, the 9to5Mac report says Apple may finally flip the switch to enable it in the upcoming Apple Watch Series 6.
If a user’s blood oxygen falls below healthy levels, which is usually around 95% to 100% saturation, it can lead to heart issues, including cardiac arrest. The report suggests that once the feature is turned on, users could receive push notifications for low blood oxygen.
The 9to5Mac report, which gets the information from what it says are snippets of iOS 14 code, the technology could come in the fall, possibly to all Apple Watch models that can run watchOS 7, that is if other hardware isn’t required, then it could be limited to the Apple Watch Series 6.
Improved ECG functionality could also be unveiled with the new Apple Watch and watchOS 7. The Apple Watch Series 4 and 5 can already conduct an Electrocardiogram via the devices’ Digital Crown. However, the current ECG can report inconclusive results if the heart rate is too high. The improved system could allow reports at much wider ranges.
