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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Apple Watch 11 spotlighted hypertension notifications at launch.
- The fine print shows Series 9 and Ultra 2 owners also benefit.
- Older Apple Watch models make upgrading less urgent for health monitoring.
Apple product launches are among the most anticipated, intensely hyped tech events of the year, especially the September iPhone extravaganza. The entire tech industry pauses when Apple does its thing because there’s usually at least something genuinely interesting and new.
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For me, the attention grabber this time was the new hypertension alerts coming to the Apple Watch 11. It was the first thing the presenters mentioned, and it’s the first slide on the Apple Watch 11 page on the Apple site.
In fact, I was about to preorder an Apple Watch 11 just for that feature. I started writing my article to tell you about it when I decided to visit the Apple Watch 11 page and make sure I had the details correct about pricing and availability.
But the relatively prominent footnote in the middle of the promotion grabbed my attention. Sometimes, health features take a while to be released because of regulatory approvals. I decided to read the footnote to get all the details.
Screenshot by David Gewirtz/ZDNET
Here’s what it says in bigger print:
As of September 9, 2025, hypertension notifications are currently under FDA review and expected to be cleared this month, with availability on Apple Watch Series 9 and later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.
Hmm…
My current Apple Watch is a Series 9. It’s perfectly functional, and the battery life is still good. It’s in pretty good condition, without a single scratch on its face. It’s even fully equipped with GPS and cellular.
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So, in the big print, Apple says, “Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure and notify you of possible hypertension.” Later down the page, Apple says again, “And now Series 11 takes the next big step in heart health with a pioneering feature — hypertension notifications.”
Screenshot by David Gewirtz/ZDNET
I mean, does that or does that not really seriously imply that the hypertension notifications are new with Series 11? And yet, the small print says older Apple Watches will also get that feature.
I’ve contacted Apple PR about this. Are there any features unique to the Apple Watch 11 that will impact how this feature functions?
Apple Watch and health
Despite the confusion, the big takeaway here is that the Apple Watch is a phenomenal device for basic health monitoring.
After a health scare a few years back, I’ve become very health-conscious. I eat right, stay active, and monitor just about every vital sign I can at home. I do have a digital blood pressure cuff and a pulse oximeter that I keep around to take measurements, but I don’t always remember, and they’re a bit of a hassle to use.
On the other hand, the blood oxygen app on my Watch is right there, as is the heart rate monitor. Whenever I’m walking or doing any sort of strenuous activity, I often check those, because they’re right on my wrist. I use the sleep tracker, again, because it’s always there, right on my wrist.
The hypertension notification feature is just one more aspect of the Apple Watch that provides a fairly decent quantified self-monitoring kit. Yes, there’s no doubt the Apple Watch can’t substitute for professional analysis. But it’s always there and always ready, and that’s a big win.
Also: The best Apple Watch: Here’s the best smartwatch for you
Combine that with fall alerts, GPS, and cellular service, and the Apple Watch provides a heck of a lot of peace of mind for a piece of plastic and glass sitting on your wrist. But do you need to buy the new Series 11 to get this new hypertension alert feature? I don’t think so.
Have you been considering upgrading to the Apple Watch Series 11 just for the hypertension notification feature? Do you think Apple should have made it clearer that the alerts will also be available on Series 9, Ultra 2, and later models? How much do you rely on your Apple Watch (or another wearable) for health monitoring compared to dedicated medical devices like a blood pressure cuff? Do features like these give you more peace of mind, or do you worry they might provide a false sense of security? Let us know in the comments below.
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