Apple plans to launch a new Apple Watch Ultra model in 2025, equipped with satellite texting capabilities and a potentially game-changing blood-pressure monitoring feature, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This upgrade targets health-conscious consumers and outdoor enthusiasts lacking cellular or Wi-Fi access.
Apple to launch new Apple Watch Ultra with satellite texting in 2025
The anticipated satellite feature will allow users to send off-the-grid messages using Globalstar Inc.’s satellite network, eliminating the need for an accompanying iPhone. Apple initially introduced satellite communication in its iPhone 14 in 2022, aimed at connecting users with emergency services while off the grid. Following this, Apple expanded the feature to include iMessage texting. The new Apple Watch Ultra aims to provide similar functionality, making it the first mainstream smartwatch with satellite texting.
In addition to satellite messaging, Apple is ramping up development on a blood-pressure monitoring feature. This tool is designed to inform users if they may be experiencing hypertension, similar to existing functionalities that detect sleep apnea. Users will not receive specific blood pressure readings, but alerts indicating potential issues. The release timeline for this feature is still unclear, as it has faced previous delays.
Apple has increasingly focused on health and safety features under CEO Tim Cook, who has promoted the Watch and iPhone as essential health devices. The incorporation of satellite communication and blood-pressure monitoring aligns with this strategy, aiming to reinvigorate stagnating smartwatch sales, especially after two consecutive years of declining revenue in the Wearables, Home, and Accessories division.
The Apple Watch Ultra, priced at $799, differentiates itself from the lower-cost options, such as the Apple Watch SE at $249 and Series 10 starting at $399. This high-end model stands to attract consumers looking for advanced features that set it apart from more affordable alternatives.
The upcoming watch will see internal changes as well, with a shift from Intel cellular modems to components from MediaTek Inc., marking the first significant use of MediaTek components in Apple’s wearables. This switch includes support for 5G Redcap, a type of 5G service tailored for devices that do not require high-speed internet, enhancing the device’s appeal for connected wearables. Current Apple Watch models only support 4G LTE.
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Further into Apple’s development pipeline is a noninvasive blood-glucose monitoring feature, although this is still in the testing phase and is not expected to launch in the immediate future. Apple is also exploring a blood-glucose application compatible with third-party monitors, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to expanding health-tracking capabilities.
Samsung Electronics already offers smart devices with blood-pressure monitoring features. However, there are concerns regarding the accuracy of these products and their reliance on traditional calibration methods, leaving room for Apple to differentiate its offering if it launches successfully.
Apple’s collaboration with Globalstar, intensified by a recent investment of $1.5 billion for infrastructure development, strengthens their positioning in the satellite communications arena. This partnership suggests a long-term strategy in enhancing connectivity features across devices, particularly for outdoor enthusiasts and those in emergency scenarios.
Featured image credit: Apple
