Apple Watch Series 10: FDA Approves Sleep Apnea Detection

Apple has received FDA approval for its sleep apnea detection feature on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Watch Ultra 2. This new feature, announced at the iPhone 16 event, will be available with the upcoming watchOS 11 release.

• The FDA classifies the feature as an "over-the-counter device to assess risk of sleep apnea."
• However, Apple emphasizes that it is not a diagnostic tool and users should consult a healthcare provider for a formal diagnosis.

How Apple's Sleep Apnea Detection Works

The Apple Watch's sleep apnea detection feature utilizes the device's built-in accelerometer to track sleep disturbances. The feature requires 10 nights of sleep tracking data spread out over a 30-day span to determine whether a user may have sleep apnea. During this period, the Apple Watch provides insights into nightly sleeping disturbances.

Apple Joins the Sleep Apnea Detection Race

Apple is not the first consumer electronics company to offer sleep apnea detection. Withings has had this feature in their devices for some time, and Samsung received FDA approval for its Galaxy Watch line earlier this year.

Sleep Apnea: A Growing Concern

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes breathing to become shallower or repeatedly stop during sleep. It can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:

• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Daytime sleepiness
• Other longer-term health conditions

Apple's Blood Oxygen Feature Suspended in the U.S.

While Apple's sleep apnea feature gains ground, its blood oxygen detection feature has been disabled on Apple Watches in the United States. This is due to an ongoing patent dispute.

Apple Watch Series 10: A Focus on Health

The inclusion of sleep apnea detection highlights Apple's commitment to improving health and wellness with its wearables. The feature's availability on the Series 10, Series 9, and Watch Ultra 2 makes it accessible to a broader range of Apple Watch users. This aligns with Apple's previous efforts to incorporate features like heart rate monitoring, ECG, and fall detection into its smartwatches.

The Future of Apple Watch

The addition of sleep apnea detection is a significant step forward for Apple Watch's health capabilities. It demonstrates Apple's dedication to leveraging technology to improve health outcomes. As the company continues to innovate, it's likely that future Apple Watch models will feature even more advanced health monitoring features.