Apple is occasionally criticized for intentionally restricting new features from older devices without any valid justification. For instance, there was significant concern when dual capture video recording was limited to the iPhone 17, despite the fact that this feature has been compatible with third-party applications since the iPhone 11, indicating it is clearly unrelated to hardware limitations.
However, regarding the newest health features, the company is sensibly adopting a much more inclusive stance.
### Hypertension Alerts
The main new health feature of the Apple Watch models is hypertension notifications, which inform users about indications of chronic high blood pressure. Hypertension is an extremely grave health issue characterized by the consistent high force of blood against artery walls, placing individuals at substantial risk for heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. The World Health Organization estimates that hypertension leads to approximately 7.5 million fatalities each year, representing nearly 13% of all deaths. In the United States, the CDC ranks it as the 13th leading cause of death, accounting for over 42,000 fatalities annually.
Although launched with the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the company is also extending this feature to three prior models:
– Apple Watch Ultra 2
– Apple Watch Series 10
– Apple Watch Series 9
### Sleep Scores
Another feature debuting with the latest Apple Watches, yet also accessible on older models, is Sleep Score. This feature offers users insightful information regarding their sleep habits. Users have mentioned that sleep data can be comforting, particularly during episodes of insomnia, as it provides actual sleep cycles and disruptions, helping to reduce concerns about sleep quality.
Sleep score is available with watchOS 26 for Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) or newer, and all Apple Watch Ultra models, connected to iPhone 11 or newer, operating iOS 26. Furthermore, any device supporting sleep tracking can be utilized by an iPhone to create a sleep score in the Apple Health app.
Both choices to incorporate these health features into older models are prudent. While individuals may express dissatisfaction concerning the company retaining optional features like multi-camera video recording on the iPhone, it’s an entirely different situation to withhold health features known to have the capacity to save lives.
