According to Techradar, Apple Watch 8 doesn’t have the expected blood pressure monitoring. Blood pressure has been a challenge for smartwatches for years: existing sensor arrays can detect blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, heart rate, and more, but traditionally specialized inflatable cuffs were used to measure blood pressure.
Smartwatches are now equipped with IR sensors that are supposed to detect blood pressure, but they are not considered accurate enough for medical use. Samsung‘s requires regular calibration with blood pressure monitors.
As part of IFA 2022, Huawei unveiled the Huawei Band D, which includes new blood pressure technology. In the watch’s band is a small pump that inflates a dual-layer airbag with a pressure of 49 kilopascals. The strap tightens around the wrist to deliver a blood pressure reading, which is displayed on the watch’s attractive face just like a traditional blood pressure cuff.
Despite Apple’s interest in blood pressure technology, we’re unlikely to see the technology until 2024 at the earliest. The minimalist, user-friendly design philosophy of Apple is reflected in its willingness to let its competitors innovate before fine-tuning and presenting its own version. It’s unlikely that inflatable sacs will ever appear on an Apple Watch band.
