Rumors have it that Apple Watch Series 7 includes blood glucose monitoring

The Apple Watch Series 7 will reportedly feature blood glucose measurement via an optical sensor, it said ETNews.

The report, which focuses mainly on the blood glucose capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, explains that Apple plans to apply the blood glucose measurement to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 using a non-invasive optical sensor.

Measuring blood glucose levels, also called blood sugar levels, is essential for managing conditions such as diabetes. Normally, measuring blood glucose requires testing a blood drop in a blood sugar meter or using an implanted continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The ability to sense large rises or falls in blood glucose can increase awareness of a possible health condition or simply help improve a user’s diet.

Apple would have acquired patents in blood glucose monitoring, and the company would now “focus on ensuring reliability and stability before the technology hits the market.” The optical sensor designed by Apple is believed to be a continuous skin monitoring solution that does not require an implant.

Rumors suggest that Apple has been interested in adding blood glucose measurement to the Apple Watch for some time now. The company reportedly established a team of biomedical engineers and consultants in 2017 working specifically on sensors for non-invasive blood sugar monitoring, and work on the sensor has reportedly led to trials at clinical sites in the San Francisco Bay Area. Apple CEO Tim Cook has even been spotted testing a prototype glucose monitor connected to his Apple Watch.

Apple has added new health-oriented features to the Apple Watch in recent years, such as the ability to measure blood oxygen levels or take an ECG. Late last year, “Tim Cook” teased the future of the Apple Watch by saying the device is still “in its early innings,” while Apple is testing “amazing” capabilities in its labs. “Think about the number of sensors in your car,” Cook said, adding, “and your body is probably much more important than your car.”

The Apple Watch Series 7 is expected to be released later this year, but there are few rumors about what the new models will include. While there have been reports of microLED displays and solid-state buttons with haptic feedback for the Apple Watch, these are not immediately expected for the Apple Watch Series 7.