Apple Watch 8 might be able to track blood sugar and alcohol levels

Apple Watch 6 review
(Image credit: TechRadar)

A while ago we heard a rumor that the Apple Watch 7 might be able to monitor your blood sugar, and while a new report suggests that it probably won’t, it looks quite likely that the Apple Watch 8 will have the feature on board.

That’s according to The Telegraph (a UK newspaper) which found in filings from the SEC (the US Securities and Exchange Commission) that Apple is the biggest customer of Rockley Photonics – a company that focuses on sensors that track blood sugar, blood pressure, and alcohol levels.

On top of that, the CEO of Rockley Photonics has reportedly claimed that its technology would be in consumer products from 2022. They didn’t specifically say an Apple product, but with Apple being responsible for the majority of Rockley Photonics’ revenue over the past two years, that seems likely.

Don't count on all three sensors

If this tech does arrive in an Apple product then an Apple Watch is the obvious candidate, given that the company has made a big push to turn that into a health and fitness device.

Of course, we wouldn’t necessarily expect the Apple Watch 8 to be able to monitor blood pressure or alcohol levels. Blood sugar seems the most likely, since that’s been rumored before, but it’s possible that it will be able to track two or even all three of those things.

Blood sugar monitoring (also known as glucose monitoring) could be particularly useful for diabetics, as they need to keep a close eye on this. But it’s something that anyone who has an interest in how their body’s performing could also want to track, so it would be a handy feature for a future Apple Watch to have.

Via Engadget

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.

Read more
Apple Watch Ultra 2 displaying a step count and distance
Apple Watch Ultra 3 could bring a massive health upgrade
OnePlus Watch 2 screen
OnePlus Watch 3 could eclipse the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with the ‘holy grail’ of smartwatch health tech
Close-up of woman using AirPods Pro 2
AirPods Pro’s long-promised heart-rate monitoring could be one step closer – but don’t wait up for it
Apple AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro 3's big bet is health-tracking, but would that make you upgrade?
Apple Watch Series 10 42mm vs 46mm side by side
Apple Watch Series 11: Everything we know so far
Apple Health
The Apple AI health coach sounds like it's no longer stuck in development hell
Latest in Smartwatches
Garmin Forerunner 965 on wrist in the dark
New Garmin leak suggests a release is days away, but don't get your hopes up for the Forerunner 975
Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED watch on wrist
Garmin owners were confused about 13.35 software update for Fenix 8, here's what actually happened
UNA Watch
UNA Watch is the sustainable wearable that wants to replace your Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Series 10 on a pink background with text saying Don't Miss next to it.
The beautiful Apple Watch Series 10 drops to its lowest-ever price at Amazon
Amazfit Active 2
I ditched all my strength training plans for a $99 smartwatch – here's what happened
Google Pixel Watch 3 side dial and button
The Pixel Watch just got a secret display upgrade in Wear OS 5.1, but here’s why you probably shouldn’t use it
Latest in News
Vision Pro Metallica
Apple Vision Pro goes off to never never land with Metallica concert footage
Mufasa is joined by another lion, a monkey and a bird in this promotional image
Mufasa: The Lion King prowls onto Disney+ as it finally gets a streaming release date
An American flag flying outside the US Capitol building against a blue sky
Sean Plankey selected as CISA director by President Trump
An Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 on a table with its retail packaging
Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU spotted in Acer gaming PC, suggesting rumors of imminent launch are correct – and that it’ll run with only 8GB of video RAM
Indiana Jones talking to a friend in a university setting with a jaunty smile on his face
New leak claims Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 release will come in April
A close up of the limited edition vinyl turntable wrist watch from AndoAndoAndo
This limited-edition timepiece turns the iconic Technics SL-1200 turntable into a watch, and I want one