Apple Watch to get new blood pressure sensing feature, slated to launch in 2026

Apple is reportedly developing a new blood pressure sensing feature for the upcoming Apple Watch, one that goes beyond the current hypertension notifications and could perhaps require a hardware upgrade.

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According to Digitimes, the feature is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and could debut on the 2026 Apple Watch Ultra 4, which may also receive a major redesign and improved health sensors.

The current hypertension notifications, introduced in September 2025 with watchOS 26, use heart sensor data and machine learning to detect signs of chronic high blood pressure over a 30-day period. But, the current hypertension notifications are designed as an early warning message, not a proper diagnostic tool.

The new feature may offer more precise tracking and could involve direct blood pressure measurement, which would be a first for a smartwatch. If these rumors are true and there is a significant leap in the monitoring capabilities of an Apple Watch, it wouldn't be surprising if this upgrade also came with a hardware upgrade. If so, it would mark the first major health sensor improvement for the Apple Watch since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 9.

The move aligns with Apple's broader ambitions in health tech, including rumored work on non-invasive glucose monitoring. With this new sensing technology, the Apple Watch could play a more critical role in at-home health monitoring.

The FDA approval process will be key in determining how soon the feature reaches consumers. If successful, Apple could once again redefine what a smartwatch can do in the healthcare space. Separately, it was reported in March 2025 that Apple was exploring how it could add cameras to its wearable devices, which would be paired with its visual intelligence features.