Apple Watch Series 10 could be larger and thinner but might miss these health features

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 is set to receive significant upgrades, including larger displays and a slimmer profile. However, some anticipated health features may face delays.

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, writing in his Power On newsletter, reveals that both versions of the Series 10 will boast bigger screens. "Series 10 shoppers will be able to pick a screen that's about as large as the one found on the Apple Watch Ultra," Gurman notes. This aligns with leaked schematics suggesting a 2-inch display for the larger model, slightly surpassing the current Ultra's 1.93-inch screen.

Despite the screen size increase, the new watches are expected to be thinner. However, Gurman indicates that the overall design "is unlikely to look much different" from previous models.

Apple is also exploring manufacturing changes, including the potential use of 3D-printed chassis for some watch models to streamline production and reduce material waste.

Chip upgrade for Apple Watch Series 10 and Watch Ultra 3

A new chip will power both the Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, potentially setting the stage for future AI capabilities. Yet, Gurman reports there are currently "no plans to bring the full initiative to the watch" regarding Apple's upcoming AI features.

New health features like Blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea could take a backseat

While hardware improvements seem on track, some health features may not be ready for this year's release. Blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection, previously rumoured for 2024, have encountered development challenges.

"The technology that measures high blood pressure, or hypertension, hasn't been as reliable as hoped during testing," Gurman reports. This could force Apple to postpone the feature's release. Sleep apnea detection faces additional hurdles due to its reliance on blood oxygen measurements, currently unavailable on US Apple Watches because of a legal dispute.

To celebrate the anniversary or not, that's the question

The Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 are expected to be announced alongside the iPhone 16 in September. However, the anniversary timing adds intrigue to the release. "It's still not clear whether Apple will brand the upcoming watches as an anniversary model or wait until next year," Gurman writes, noting that Apple could celebrate either the 2014 announcement or the 2015 release of the original Apple Watch.