Alongside unveiling the new foldable iPhone called “Duo,” Apple also introduced a set of improved health and fitness features; features built using Apple Intelligence technology and the most precise AI-based heart rate measurement system.
The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, with the introduction of a new system called the “Health Sensing System,” enable much more accurate measurement of heart rate and its variability (HRV). This system, together with the new S11 chip, forms the foundation of a metric called “Readiness,” which gives users a comprehensive view of their body’s ability to face daily challenges.
For years, the Health app was considered the biggest weakness of Apple’s best-selling smartwatch; despite the large volume of information, the app offered little guidance on how to use that information practically. That weakness created an opportunity for competitors, so that the sales of screenless subscription-based wearables (such as Oura smart rings and Whoop bands) have seen significant growth in recent years.
Dr. Sambol Desai, Apple’s Vice President of Health, said the company has been discussing redesigning the Health app for some time; a redesigned version is expected to be released by the end of this year and will provide more effective guidance on health and fitness to users.
According to him, users will soon be able to perform specific movements in front of the iPhone camera to receive a quick assessment of their cardiovascular health, strength, and balance.
Desai also unveiled a new tab called “Longevity” that provides a metric called “Health Age” to users; a metric that, based on an individual’s trackable habits, shows how their physical health aligns with or diverges from their actual age. For example, chronic sleep deprivation or inactivity may be counted in this calculation as equivalent to several years of increased health age.
The “Readiness” feature, which is now available on Apple Watch Series 12, allows users to decide-based on their training history and body recovery metrics-whether to approach their workouts more cautiously or to proceed at full intensity.