Breaking: New code discovered within the beta of watchOS 11 suggests Apple is actively developing a thorough sleep score feature for the Apple Watch, potentially debuting with the Series 11 in 2025. This marks a significant step forward for Apple’s health tracking capabilities, bringing it in line with competitors like Fitbit and Garmin.
Currently, the Apple Watch tracks sleep stages – REM, Core, and Deep – and provides metrics such as time in bed and time awake. However, it lacks a consolidated “sleep score” that offers a single, easily interpretable assessment of sleep quality. The potential new feature, identified by MacRumors, coudl analyze multiple health metrics to predict daytime functionality based on nightly rest.
Apple’s development of a sleep score aligns with the company’s broader focus on preventative health. The feature could integrate data from existing sensors, including the heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and potentially even the temperature sensor introduced with the Apple Watch Series 8 (released September 2022). The integration of these data points mirrors the “Vitals” app introduced in watchOS 11, which consolidates key health metrics.
While the sleep score wasn’t present in the initial watchOS 11 beta releases, its presence in later code iterations indicates ongoing development.Sources suggest the feature may be reserved for the 2025 Apple Watch models, coinciding with the device’s 10th anniversary.
Apple Watch 10th Anniversary & Potential Design Changes
2025 will be a landmark year for the Apple Watch,marking a decade since its initial launch on April 24,2015. Previous rumors, circulating as early as January 2024, hinted at a significant redesign for the anniversary edition, including a new magnetic band attachment system and a thinner profile.
The Apple Watch Series 10, released in September 2024, did feature a slimmer design, reducing the casing size by 0.5mm compared to the Series 9. However, the anticipated magnetic band attachment system did not materialize. Industry analysts, including Ming-Chi kuo of TF International Securities, had predicted this new band system would allow for greater customization and potentially integrate additional sensors.
While a new band attachment system isn’t currently expected with the series 11, Apple may still commemorate the anniversary with special edition finishes or software features.
blood Oxygen Monitoring Status
As of November 2024, blood oxygen monitoring remains disabled on Apple Watch models sold in the United States due to an ongoing dispute with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding patent infringement claims filed by Masimo Corporation. The ITC issued a limited exclusion order in January 2024 prohibiting the import and sale of Apple Watches with the blood oxygen feature.
There are currently no indications that apple has resolved this dispute or that blood oxygen monitoring will be reinstated with the Apple Watch Series 11. Apple has implemented software workarounds to remove the functionality from affected models, and the future of this feature in the U.S. market remains uncertain.
