New health sensor rumored for Apple Watch Series 12’s band

A leaker with a reasonable track record, except regarding the Apple Watch, claims that the Apple Watch Series 12 will feature a new health sensor, but only in its fluoroelastomer band.

Apple Watch already tracks a huge number of different health metrics, but Apple has regularly been rumored to add even more sensors via a watch band. According to leaker Kosutami, the company is finally going to do it, although with one significant catch.

The leaker says nothing about what the band’s sensor could measure, but says it will solely be in the silicone band. That is presumably the basic fluoroelastomer band that Apple provides if a customer does not also order a specific band.

If correct, this could mean that the Apple Watch’s latest health sensor could only be available on the lowest-cost band. It’s more likely, though, that Apple will sell this version of the fluoroelastomer band separately.

As for what it could measure, Apple has previously been reported to be working on multiple options for external sensors. They include a hydration sensor, or one based around muscle movement sensing.

Apple is known to be working on non-invasive blood sugar monitoring as well. To date, there has been no suggestion that this will be on a band-mounted sensor, and instead integrated into the optical array underneath the watch body. It’s not clear when this feature will ship.

Kosutami has had a fair track record with Apple leaks, and most recently claimed that the company has suspended work on its project to add cameras to AirPods. But they have been significantly wrong before, such as with a 2023 claim that Apple was going to change how bands connect to the Apple Watch.

Separately, that persistent rumor has recently resurfaced. If it’s accurate this time, perhaps it’s because a new sensor band requires a different connector.