Will Apple Watch Series 12 Monitor Blood Sugar?

TL;DR

Apple Watch Series 12 is unlikely to include non-invasive glucose monitoring because Apple's laser-based technology remains a proof of concept and is not accurate enough for release. The watch is instead rumored to retain the current design, gain a new chip with stronger Siri and Apple Intelligence compatibility, potentially add Touch ID, and launch around mid-September at a higher price.

Transcript

So then, guys, in less than 2 months from now, we're going to get the Apple Watch Series 12. And one of the big questioners what kind of new features are we going to get with it? And then one of the big pressing questions I constantly get asked is will we get that glucose diabetes sensor added to it? Well, that is a big question. But let's let me t... Read More

Key Insights

• Apple Watch Series 12 is unlikely to introduce glucose monitoring because the technology reportedly remains a proof of concept. It can produce glucose-related readings, but the presenter says it is not yet sufficiently accurate for Apple to release as a dependable health feature.
• Apple's non-invasive glucose sensor has reportedly been under development for roughly 15 years, beginning before the first Apple Watch was released. A major development arrived in 2023, when Apple was reported to have established that the underlying concept could work.
• The proposed glucose-monitoring system works by directing a laser into the skin to examine internal fluids and estimate glucose levels. The transcript characterizes this approach as technically functional but still insufficiently accurate, particularly given the potential consequences of incorrect information for people with diabetes.
• Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to retain the physical design introduced with Series 10, which was described as about 10% thinner than Series 9. The same design continued with Series 11, while a new appearance is rumored for Series 13.
• A new S11 or S12 chip is expected to be the main Series 12 hardware upgrade after Series 11 reportedly reused the Series 10 chip. Apple might skip the S11 name to keep the processor designation aligned with the watch generation.
• The new Series 12 chip is expected to improve compatibility with Siri and Apple Intelligence, making software capabilities more significant than physical changes. The chip may also improve efficiency, but the predicted battery gain is modest, with about two additional hours suggested as a maximum.
• Touch ID in the Apple Watch side button is presented as a possible Series 12 feature. Fingerprint authentication could add a security check when making card payments, although the transcript describes the feature as a possibility rather than a confirmed specification.
• Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to arrive around mid-September, and its regular models could cost approximately $50 to $70 more across both sizes. Another uncertain rumor suggests new bands could contain an unidentified sensor, although glucose sensing is specifically considered unlikely.

Questions & Answers

Q: Will Apple Watch Series 12 monitor blood sugar?

Apple Watch Series 12 is unlikely to include non-invasive blood sugar or glucose monitoring. Apple reportedly has a working proof of concept, but the technology is not accurate enough for consumer release. Because incorrect glucose information could be harmful to people with diabetes, the presenter expects Apple to continue development instead of adding the sensor to Series 12.

Q: How would Apple's non-invasive glucose sensor work?

Apple's proposed glucose sensor reportedly uses a laser that shines into the skin and examines fluids inside the body to estimate glucose levels. The concept can generate readings, but the transcript says its accuracy remains inadequate. The system therefore appears to demonstrate technical feasibility without yet meeting the standard required for a reliable consumer health feature.

Q: How long has Apple been developing glucose monitoring?

Apple has reportedly worked on glucose-sensing technology for roughly 15 years, beginning before the first Apple Watch was released. A significant milestone was reported in 2023, when the company was said to have developed a functioning proof of concept. Development is reportedly continuing, but no release date for the glucose feature is provided.

Q: Will Apple Watch Series 12 have a new design?

Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to retain the design introduced with Series 10 and continued with Series 11. That design was described as approximately 10% thinner than Series 9. A new physical design is instead rumored for Series 13, although its possible size, thickness, and battery changes remain unknown in the transcript.

Q: What chip could Apple Watch Series 12 use?

Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to receive a new processor that could be called the S11 or S12. Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 reportedly reused the chip introduced with Series 10, so no S11 chip was released. Apple could therefore skip directly to the S12 name to align the processor with the watch generation.

Q: How could Apple Intelligence improve Apple Watch Series 12?

The rumored new chip is expected to make Apple Watch Series 12 more compatible with future Siri and Apple Intelligence features. The presenter identifies these software capabilities as the probable key difference from Series 11 because the external design is expected to remain unchanged. No specific Apple Intelligence functions are identified, so the exact improvements remain uncertain.

Q: Could Apple Watch Series 12 include Touch ID?

Touch ID integrated into the Apple Watch side button is presented as a possible Series 12 addition. It could let users authenticate card payments by placing a finger on the button, adding a security step beyond double-pressing the button. The transcript treats this as an unconfirmed report, not an established or officially announced feature.

Q: When could Apple Watch Series 12 launch, and what might it cost?

Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to launch around mid-September. The presenter predicts that regular models in both sizes could become approximately $50 to $70 more expensive. This estimate is based on an expectation that Apple will adjust Apple Watch pricing in September, but neither the release timing nor the increase is presented as confirmed.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Apple has reportedly worked on non-invasive glucose monitoring for roughly 15 years and achieved a proof of concept by 2023. The proposed sensor uses a laser to examine fluids beneath the skin, but its readings are reportedly not accurate enough for release. Series 12 is therefore unlikely to include the feature.

• Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to keep the thinner design introduced with Series 10 rather than receive a major physical redesign. A new design is instead rumored for Series 13. The more meaningful Series 12 upgrade could be a new S11 or S12 chip supporting future Siri and Apple Intelligence capabilities.

• Other rumors include Touch ID in the side button and a new watch band containing an unidentified sensor, although the band report is described as uncertain. Series 12 is expected around mid-September, with battery life possibly improving by only about two hours and regular models potentially costing $50 to $70 more.