There is “no chance” Apple Watch Series 7 will be able to monitor your blood pressure, despite recent claims that the next-generation device has been delayed to accommodate this feature, according to one reliable reporter.
A Tuesday report from NikkeiAsia claimed that production has “temporarily halted” on Apple Watch Series 7 while engineers iron out issues that have surfaced as a result of the device’s new design and new features.
Apple Watch Series 7 on hold
“Multiple people familiar with the situation” said that “critical challenges” had arisen after small-scale production kicked off last week. They blamed the “complexity of design, which is significantly different” from its predecessor.
“The next Apple Watch will come with new features such as blood pressure measurement, they said, which means production involves fitting a greater number of components into a similar size body,” reads the report.
But reliable Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman believes those claims are inaccurate.
’No chance’ of blood pressure monitoring
When asked for comment on Twitter regarding NikkeiAsia’s claims surrounding a blood pressure monitor for Apple Watch 7, Gurman simply responded “no chance.”
no chance
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 31, 2021
Gurman’s own sources say Apple Watch 7 will feature a revamped design with larger screens, as well as a faster processor. The device is expected to sport a squarer case with straight edges and fewer curves.
“The new watches also have screen technology that brings that display closer to the cover glass using a different lamination technique,” Gurman reports. “That display layer may be causing some of the production woes.”
Big health upgrades … one day
The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the plans, reports Apple is working on bringing blood pressure alerts to Apple Watch — as well as a thermometer to help with fertility planning and improved sleep tracking.
“But most of its more ambitious health-related improvements aren’t expected before 2022,” the report adds. Beyond that, the Apple is said to be exploring sensors and software that can detect sleep apnea, provide medical guidance on low blood oxygen levels, and spot diabetes.
The sources note, however, that some features being looked at by Apple — particularly those that could come in later years — “might never be rolled out to consumers or timing could change.”
Apple Watch 7 was originally expected to make its debut next month alongside iPhone 13. Apple could still unveil the refresh then and simply make fans wait longer for its launch, but its plans are unclear at this point.
