The new Apple Watch 10’s big screen was the most dramatic Apple Watch feature announced at today’s annual iPhone launch event, but a new sleep apnea detection feature may be its most valuable addition. And it’s not just for the latest and greatest Apple Watch — the new feature should soon be rolling out to last year’s Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 as well.
The sleep apnea detection feature will use the accelerometer to detect interruptions in breathing during the night and will deliver the potential interruptions as watch notifications. But the new feature is still pending FDA approval, Apple’s Jeff Williams said during the livestream event. Apple expects FDA approval “very soon” and the feature is also coming to 150 countries this month.
The sleep apnea detection feature uses the accelerometer to detect interruptions in breathing while you sleep.
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Apple is doing the same with Samsung, which already has its own apnea detection feature for its watches.
Not needing a new watch to diagnose potential sleep apnea is a nice plus, though I’m also curious about how useful and accurate the feature will be. As someone with sleep apnea who also uses a CPAP, I’ve had to undergo a sleep study to determine the severity of my own apnea, along with a pulmonologist. Apple’s detection feature seems like a way to encourage someone who might not have thought about apnea to see a sleep doctor (I did because of my high blood pressure). Apnea isn’t always a symptom you know you have, but it does require you to wear the Apple Watch to bed — something I don’t often do, and neither do many others.
The sleep apnea detection feature shares the results with your Apple Watch.
Follow our live blog for more updates on today’s event.
