Apple Watch Series 8 likely to support body temperature sensor but there may be a problem

Initially, there were reports that this year’s Watch Series 8 would feature a body temperature sensor, but later, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman dismissed those reports.

Apple Watch Series 8 is likely to arrive later this year alongside the iPhone 14. The rumour mill is abuzz that the Watch Series 8 will bring interesting features, mostly upgrades over the last generation. For instance, initially, there were reports that this year’s Watch Series 8 would feature a body temperature sensor, but later, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman dismissed those reports and said that Apple might still be working on that feature and it is unlikely to be available on the Watch Series 8. Now, renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple may be working on an algorithm that will support temperature measurement on the Watch Series 8.

Kuo, through his Twitter handle, shared that Apple had to cancel the body temperature sensor for last year’s Apple Watch Series 7 because their algorithm “failed to qualify before entering EVT (Engineering Validation Testing) stage.” But this year, Apple may be working on the algorithm again and if it meets the company’s “high requirements”, the Watch Series 8 may end up featuring it. In all likelihood, the body temperature sensor will measure the body temperature of the user, and with the help of collected data, notify them if they have a fever and give them suggestions on how to maintain the optimal temperature.

According to Kuo, the biggest obstacle, or rather problem, in implementing a body temperature sensor in a smartwatch is the variable body temperature sensor of the skin. The temperature of the skin varies according to the outside environment and the hardware alone cannot calculate the core body temperature. An algorithm is, hence, needed. But creating the algorithm is a complex process and Apple, being Apple, does not want subpar quality. That means if the algorithm, which is currently in development, does not meet the parameters, Apple is likely to ditch the feature this year, as well.

Not just Apple, its biggest rival in the smartwatch industry, Samsung, is also facing similar issues with body temperature sensing on smartwatches. According to Kuo, this problem is what is causing Samsung to delay the feature and the reports suggesting that upcoming Galaxy smartwatches would bring body temperature sensing are not accurate. Kuo's latest tweet also contradicts Gurman's prediction, which says that Apple Watch Series 8 will not bring a body temperature-sensing feature.