Apple unveiled the Apple Watch ten years ago last September, prompting the rumor mill to speculate about an anniversary watch – just like the iPhone X once was. The Apple Watch X was supposed to have a new magnetic bracelet system that could free up more space in the case for the battery and other modules.
Several months ago there was speculation about an estimate of the blood pressure, which Apple is said to have finally succeeded. Just a few years ago, the blogosphere was buzzing about blood sugar monitoring, but the hope that this feature will arrive has moved to the late 2020s, if at all.
What Apple presented in September was undoubtedly a solid update: the Apple Watch Series 10 has retained the best of the Apple Watch Ultra, with a larger battery sacrificed for even less weight and even slimmer dimensions. But even for me as an Apple Watch enthusiast, there was a strange aftertaste: Like when you look forward to cold fizzing water on a hot day and are instead served lukewarm, stale soda. In short, it was somewhat disappointing.
And it’s not just me. This is shown by the latest sales figures for Apple’s wearables division. The Apple Watch makes up a large part of Apple’s balance sheet, as can be seen from the reliable spikes every first quarter when the accounts for the Apple Watch presented in September roll in. The Apple Watch reached its peak with the Series 7, introduced at the end of 2021. Since then, not even the new Apple Watch Ultra has been able to generate noticeable growth.
Of course, the coronavirus pandemic played into the Apple Watch’s hands. Above all, Apple introduced the hand wash reminder only one version earlier. Blood oxygen saturation could also be monitored with the Apple Watch since Series 6. Since then, however, Apple’s smartwatch has offered few arguments to switch to it, apart from the new Ultra.
The main line around the Series 8, 9 and 10 brought only evolutionary improvements: the Series 8 brought a temperature sensor for the first time and an improved accelerometer that could detect car accidents, the Series 9 was eclipsed by the new Ultra despite the new one-handed operation, the Series 10 had inherited the water temperature sensor from Ultra.
The Apple Watch is no longer unique – or is it?
If you look around the market, the Apple Watch does not offer any unique features. Withings & Co. also has comprehensive health monitoring and provides comparable vital signs. Garmin also offers outdoor maps and tracks your own hikes, like the Ultra. The Samsung Galaxy Watch has a blood pressure estimate on board, albeit with major compromises, more on this later.
A bit absurd, but a unique selling point for the Apple Watch is the huge range of wristbands from third-party manufacturers. With my test samples alone, I could wear a “new” Apple Watch every day, with a matching color or material for every top or dress. The connection to the iPhone and the overall package of functions can also convince customers. But these are arguments that only appear after the purchase, not before.
This impression of stagnation is likely due to Apple’s philosophy on health. On the one hand, the company has the ambition to positively influence the lives of humanity, or at least the part of it that can afford an Apple Watch. On the other hand, this means that the new health features are only released if they are also beneficial from a medical perspective.
Apple doesn’t want to release features like the blood pressure feature on Samsung’s Galaxy Watch, where the user has to calibrate the watch’s blood pressure data at regular intervals using a conventional cuff. The Galaxy Watch is also not included in the European Society of Hypertension’s database of validated devices.
Research takes time, and Apple’s ambitions are high. This is precisely why the new blood pressure assessment feature has been delayed by at least a year. But Apple must finally introduce something fundamentally new in the healthcare sector. Both the Apple Watch and its users can handle the fresh start.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.