Nikkei Asia published Tuesday a report that claimed the Apple Watch Series 7 would have blood pressure measurement capabilities. This is why production has been halted as manufacturers adjust to the more complicated design.
Bloomberg later cited its sources to support Nikkei’s main claim that the model had caused manufacturing problems which could lead supply constraints or delays. However, the report by Debbie Wu (and Mark Gurman) did not mention Nikkei’s claim that a blood pressure sensor was one of the reasons for the production snags.
Gurman, however, has dispelled any doubts about Nikkei's main assertion by tweeting that the Apple Watch Series 7 will not have a blood pressure sensor.
No chance Mark Gurman (@markgurman), August 31, 2021
However, this doesn't mean that another Apple Watch model will not have blood pressure smarts. Apple was the largest customer of British electronics company Rockley Photonics earlier this year. The company develops non-invasive optical sensors that detect multiple blood-related health metrics such as blood pressure, glucose, and blood alcohol.
Rockley revealed that Apple was its largest client as the company was preparing to go public in New York. Rockley Photonics' growth and Apple's extensive partnership with it make it almost certain that Apple Watch's health sensor technology is coming to the Apple Watch someday. But not this year.
Rumours abound that Apple will host an all-digital event in the middle of the month. The company is expected announce the iPhone 13 (and Apple Watch Series 7), the latter of which will have a flat-edged design and larger case sizes. Battery improvements and faster processors are also expected. Our Apple Watch rumor roundup has all the details.
