Blood Oxygen Sensor

The most significant upgrade coming to the Apple Watch Series 6 is likely also the least surprising, since we’ve not only been hearing rumours about it all year, but Fitbit actually beat Apple to the punch here back in January.

We’re referring of course to the new Blood Oxygen Sensor, which will measure SPO2 levels to help users get a better understanding of their cardiac and respiratory health. Of course, Apple’s implementation of the sensor is considerably more advanced than what its rivals have come up with — Fitbit gained its support as a software upgrade, after all — with a new hardware sensor that uses red and infrared light shone into your wrist to determine the colour of your blood, which in turn is a reflection of SPO2 levels.

According to Apple, this measurement can not only be done on demand in about 15 seconds, but the Apple Watch Series 6 will also capture periodic background readings through the day — and even during the night if you wear your Apple Watch to bed. Like everything else measured by the Apple Watch, you’ll be able to view all of this data in the iPhone’s Health app.