Apple Watch Series 8 Body Temperature Monitor May Still Happen After All

Rumors about a smartwatch that can properly measure body temperatures have been going on for a long time. Given how common thermometers are, it might come as a shock to know that it’s harder to pull off with a smartwatch. Both Samsung and Apple are reportedly racing to be the first to come out with the feature, but according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (via 9to5Mac), Apple is squarely in the lead.

It’s not a done deal, though, and it will largely depend on whether the sensor’s margin of error will be within an acceptable range for Apple — assuming the leak is accurate, of course. The reading that this body temperature sensor provides probably won’t be accurate compared to even the most basic thermometer, but it should still be useful to give an idea of whether the user’s vitals are within the normal range. Of course, if its output is too unreliable, Apple might scrap it altogether in favor of a later release. Even if it does pass Apple’s standards, the feature will still need regulatory approval before it gets activated in a specific market.

Other than this new sensor, there might be nothing new to expect from the Apple Watch Series 8 later this year. Gurman earlier claimed that the Apple S8 chip inside this smartwatch would be exactly the same as the Apple S6 processor from two years back. The size and features of the smartwatches will be nearly identical as well, likely making it a minor upgrade that will really only matter if the body temperature sensor makes the cut.