Apple Watch 13 may gain blood sugar monitoring in 2027

AppleInsider

The Apple Watch 13 in 2027 is rumored to be the first model to feature blood sugar monitoring, which Apple has rumored to be working on for years.

Glucose monitoring on an Apple Watch using a Dexcom app

Even back with the Apple Watch Series 7 in 2021, there were reports that Apple had long been developing a blood sugar system that was then about to be launched. Nothing came of that, and in 2024 Apple was said to be trialing such an Apple Watch app, but for health data collection studies rather than public release.

Now analyst Jeff Pu has announced that blood sugar monitoring will be the key feature of the Apple Watch Series 13 in 2027. He suggests that it may be called "Apple Watch featuring Blood Monitoring," but offers no further details.

As reported on social media, Pu has solely listed dates for this feature. There is no indication of whether this comes from supply chain sources, or is an extrapolation based on Pu's previous reports about Apple.

Note that those previous reports have included correct information at times. Pu does, though, also have a history of declaring release schedules that tend to be wrong.

Apple has been consistently working to add health features to Apple Watch, and a notable one was blood oxygen level monitoring. However, that technology has been the subject of a patent dispute and is currently disabled on Apple Watches sold in the US.

Separately, Apple is far from the only company attempting to produce a blood sugar monitoring system that is non-invasive. In January 2025, PreEvnt previewed a clip-on device that works via breath analysis.

Rumor Score: Possible

Read on AppleInsider

9secondkox2

How amazing blood glucose monitoring would be on the watch. For everyone from diabetics to predisnetucs to those with blood pressure issues to folks monitoring diet correlations with fitness. Huge. 

Hope it happens before 2027. 

jbishop1039

Add in blood alcohol monitoring and I’m sold on it. 

maltz

Even if this required a CGM sensor you put on your arm, like a Lingo or Freestyle Libre, this would be huge.  And now that such things are over-the-counter, it's totally doable.

surgefilter

So big set of micro needles in the back of it constantly taking blood sample?  Will that not get a bit messy? Interesting and useful addition if they can pull it off.

marvin

surgefilter said:

So big set of micro needles in the back of it constantly taking blood sample?  Will that not get a bit messy? Interesting and useful addition if they can pull it off.

It seems there's some non-invasive alternatives:

https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/blood-sugar-monitor-without-finger-pricks
https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/non-invasive-diabetes-technology

This kind would be usable in a smartwatch:
https://www.hagartech.com/

Their devices use radio frequencies and described as 1/3 the size of a smartphone. Either Apple would use a smaller integrated sensor or an accessory device, maybe a custom watch band.

This one uses a light beam to heat up the glucose in the skin and the temperature change shows the amount of glucose:
https://www.diamontech.de/en/solutions/d-pocket

The sites say they are 95% as accurate as the blood testing strips. This would be a big improvement from having pins stuck in either regularly via finger testing or with the CGMs installed all the time.

mrbunside

9secondkox2 said:

How amazing blood glucose monitoring would be on the watch. For everyone from diabetics to predisnetucs to those with blood pressure issues to folks monitoring diet correlations with fitness. Huge. 

Hope it happens before 2027. 

The Stelo CGM + app has an Apple Watch widget, though my experience has been that it doesn't run smoothly in the background.

The inconsistencies with the current OTC CGMs do not bode well for companies trying to use less validated methods for quantifying glucose.  IMO, as a clinical laboratory professional. 

sflocal

I’ve been saying for years that if there’s one company that can pull it off, it would be Apple.  

This will be huge for Apple.  I’ve put off buying an Apple Watch but if this comes to fruition, I’ll be first in line.

bittyson

maltz said:

Even if this required a CGM sensor you put on your arm, like a Lingo or Freestyle Libre, this would be huge.  And now that such things are over-the-counter, it's totally doable.

Since one can already put a CGM sensor on one’s arm, and see the data on the Watch, it’s already done.  That is, it would not be an advance at all.

Apple’s potential advance may be a completely non-invasive monitoring system, but having worked in the field for quite a while, that is not something we are likely to see this decade, if ever.  The accuracy is just not there.

bittyson

There is some significant misinformation being peddled here.  Completely non-invasive glucose sensing technology that is even remotely accurate does not exist.  Perhaps a future invention will change that, but as of today, it does not exist.  Despite what some “studies” claim.  I’ve seen similar claims come in go for three decades.  

sloth77

maltz said:

Even if this required a CGM sensor you put on your arm, like a Lingo or Freestyle Libre, this would be huge.  And now that such things are over-the-counter, it's totally doable.

Unless you can get them free (eg. Type 2 diabetics), then the sensors are very expensive.  A years supply is typically over 1000 GBP.

maltz

sloth77 said:

maltz said:

Even if this required a CGM sensor you put on your arm, like a Lingo or Freestyle Libre, this would be huge.  And now that such things are over-the-counter, it's totally doable.

Unless you can get them free (eg. Type 2 diabetics), then the sensors are very expensive.  A years supply is typically over 1000 GBP.

If you're not diabetic, why wear one all the time, though?  I began to wander into pre-diabetic range, and I just pop on an OTC CGM every few months (one lasts two weeks) to see where I stand, to see how different meals affect me over time, and to see generally what my glucose does throughout the day and night.  That's hugely useful information - way better than anything I can get with finger sticks, and it only costs me around US$180/yr.

maltz

BittySon said:

maltz said:

Even if this required a CGM sensor you put on your arm, like a Lingo or Freestyle Libre, this would be huge.  And now that such things are over-the-counter, it's totally doable.

Since one can already put a CGM sensor on one’s arm, and see the data on the Watch, it’s already done.  That is, it would not be an advance at all.

Apple’s potential advance may be a completely non-invasive monitoring system, but having worked in the field for quite a while, that is not something we are likely to see this decade, if ever.  The accuracy is just not there.

Lingo (OTC version of Freestyle Libre) doesn't integrate with Apple Watch at all, and Apple Health integration is one-way - Lingo doesn't send data to Apple Health.  Dexcom's Stelo seems much more Apple Watch/Health friendly, but even then, data is sent to the Health app on a 3-hour delay.  (The Stelo iPhone/Watch app is real-time, of course.)  Are there any other OTC options?  That's why I'd still like to see an Apple solution, even if it did involve traditional CGM hardware, since a non-invasive solution might be long-coming and/or less accurate.

jcc

They should actually create a tiny implantable device so that some people who really need an accurate read, like diabetics, can implant it to pair with an Apple Watch. I mean really tiny with wireless charging. So, that it only needs to be replaced every 4-5 years.

edited June 18