Apple Watch Ultra 4 Could Get Redesign and Blood Pressure Monitoring
Source: MacRumors
Potential Redesign and New Features
According to a DigiTimes report, the upcoming Apple Watch Ultra 4 may undergo a full redesign. Supply‑chain sources indicate exterior changes, including eight sensors arranged in a ring pattern on the back of the device. The report describes the update as a “significant upgrade to sensing functions,” suggesting a more substantial redesign than previously hinted.
Blood Pressure Monitoring
Apple is reportedly adding a high‑blood‑pressure notification feature that leverages the optical heart‑rate sensor to analyze how blood vessels respond to each heartbeat. When an abnormal pattern is detected, the watch will send alerts. This feature is currently under FDA review.
- The Hypertension Notifications feature was introduced with watchOS 26 last fall, using the same optical sensor to assess vessel responses over 30‑day periods.
- DigiTimes notes that earlier Apple Watch models already possessed some blood‑pressure sensing capabilities, and the new implementation appears to be a more refined or clinically validated version of that hardware.
Future Health Monitoring
Apple’s roadmap suggests that after blood‑pressure monitoring, the next focus will be non‑invasive blood‑glucose monitoring, a capability the company has pursued for several years and is awaiting government approval.
Supply Chain and Market Impact
- The sensor upgrades are expected to benefit Taiwan‑Asia Semiconductor (TASC), Apple’s exclusive supplier of sensor components, with large‑volume orders anticipated as early as July.
- Market observers cited by the report estimate that the redesign could boost Apple Watch shipments by 20 %–30 % compared to 2025.
Related Products
- iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable “iPhone Ultra” are slated for release in fall 2026.
This article first appeared on MacRumors.com.