Apple is apparently working on a second high blood pressure feature for the Apple Watch. A new report from Asia mentions a feature currently undergoing FDA review that is said to differ from the existing hypertension warnings. There is little information yet on a launch date – but there is plenty of indication of Apple's next big health gamble.
With watchOS 26 last fall, Apple introduced its first hypertension alerts: The Apple Watch analyzes motion and heart rate sensors over extended periods and reports when patterns indicate chronically elevated blood pressure. This feature has been available for months and provides only a general indication – no precise readings. Now, Digitimes reports that Apple is simultaneously working on another hypertension feature that will apparently go significantly further. This feature is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has not yet been approved. The timing of its release could coincide with the launch of the next Apple Watch generation, the expected Apple Watch Series 12 or Apple Watch Ultra 4 this fall.
What the report specifically says
The Digitimes report by author Siu Han is concise and makes two clear points: Apple has integrated a new high blood pressure notification into the Apple Watch, and this feature is not yet publicly available because FDA review is still ongoing. The report leaves open exactly how this feature differs from the existing hypertension warnings in watchOS 26 – an important point, because this distinction determines the scope of the notification.
Several scenarios are conceivable. The new feature could provide more precise or frequent warnings, it could output concrete measurements for the first time instead of just trends, or it could be approved for other medical indications. While the FDA review is ongoing, Apple will not comment on how it works – this is standard practice for health features on Apple devices.
The FDA process as an indicator
The fact that Apple is even submitting the feature to the FDA for review is the truly significant piece of information. The existing hypertension alerts in watchOS 26 are classified as a general wellness feature and do not require separate FDA approval. A new procedure at the agency suggests that Apple is planning a feature with medical applications this time – something closer to a diagnostic measurement than a lifestyle recommendation.
This feature joins a series of medically certified Apple Watch functions, from ECG measurement to sleep apnea detection. Each of these functions required FDA approval before being made available to consumers. Apple has the necessary experience with this process, but the timeframe is never entirely predictable.
Reference to the Apple Watch Ultra 4
It's noteworthy that Digitimes mentions the new blood pressure feature in the same report that also discusses two major upgrades for the Apple Watch Ultra 4. This could be a coincidence, but it makes strategic sense: Apple likes to bundle new health features with the launch of a new generation because it provides a prominent platform and a clear marketing anchor. The same applies to the Series 12 – incremental improvements are expected there as well, primarily focused on the expanded sensor technology. A complete overview of the expected features of the Apple Watch Series 12 has already been compiled.
The report does not specify the exact release date of the new blood pressure monitoring feature. However, the context suggests that it could be rolled out with the next Apple Watch generation or the accompanying watchOS 27 update – provided the FDA grants its approval by then.
Apple's next health gamble: non-invasive blood glucose monitoring
The Digitimes text contains a sentence immediately following the mention of the FDA review that goes beyond the current function: The next stage of development will focus on non-invasive blood glucose measurement and similar functions, also subject to regulatory approval.
Apple has been working for years on a way to measure glucose levels without a needle using the Apple Watch – a technical challenge that other manufacturers also haven't yet solved. The Digitimes report makes it sound like this project is the next logical step after the blood pressure monitoring feature. However, it doesn't claim a concrete breakthrough. What's more noteworthy is the order: first blood pressure, then blood sugar – an indication that Apple is gradually evolving the Apple Watch from a wellness watch into a medically certified device.
How much substance is there in the report?
The report itself is brief and raises more questions than it answers. Two statements are reliable: Apple is planning a new high blood pressure feature, and it is currently under FDA review. Everything else - the type of function, how it will differ from the existing hypertension warning, the launch date - remains speculation. Apple generally does not comment on such reports, and the FDA also does not make ongoing proceedings public.
Despite this ambiguity, a clear pattern emerges: Apple has been systematically investing for years in health features that are legally sound and medically robust. The recent court victory over blood oxygen sensors demonstrates the company's willingness to invest in this area - the spring saw the end of a years-long dispute with Masimo, which lifted the US import ban on the Apple Watch. Every new health feature that passes FDA review further solidifies this position - and makes the Apple Watch a crucial differentiator in an increasingly saturated smartwatch market.
What buyers can realistically expect
For current Apple Watch users, this means waiting for now. There's no concrete date, and the exact functionality remains unclear. Realistically, the new blood pressure monitoring feature will launch either with watchOS 27 this fall or with the next hardware generation – provided FDA approval is granted in time. Anyone currently considering purchasing an Apple Watch should be aware that new health features are typically rolled out to existing models, provided the sensors are compatible – Apple has demonstrated several times in recent years that even older models can benefit from such updates. (Image: Shutterstock / Hadrian)
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