Chinese tech giant Oppo, known for producing OnePlus smartphones and wearables, appears poised to introduce a revolutionary smartwatch feature ahead of Apple. A recent teaser shared by Oppo product manager Zhou Yibao on Weibo suggests that the OnePlus Watch 3—expected to debut next month—will include blood pressure monitoring, a long-sought-after innovation in wearable health tech.
The “Holy Grail” of Smartwatch Health Features
Blood pressure monitoring using LED-based technology has remained an elusive goal for smartwatch manufacturers. While the Huawei Watch D2 has come closest with its inflatable strap mechanism, most smartwatches struggle to deliver clinically accurate results without bulky external accessories.
However, recent reports suggest that Apple is planning to introduce blood pressure monitoring in its upcoming Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and possibly the Apple Watch SE 3 this September. If Oppo’s teaser is accurate, the OnePlus Watch 3 could beat Apple to the market with this game-changing feature.
Regulatory Hurdles and the Consumer Approach
Despite its potential, Oppo’s approach to blood pressure monitoring may resemble Apple’s strategy with other health features: providing health indicators rather than a medical-grade diagnosis. Unlike dedicated blood pressure cuffs that require regulatory approvals from agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), smartwatch-based BP tracking is likely to serve as an early warning system rather than a certified medical tool.
Apple previously took a similar path with its sleep apnea detection in watchOS 11 and the Apple Watch Series 10, alerting users to potential issues rather than delivering a definitive diagnosis. If Oppo follows suit, the OnePlus Watch 3 may encourage users to consult a healthcare professional if elevated readings are detected.
A Smartwatch Health Revolution?
Apple is known for ensuring the accuracy of its health features before launch, making it critical to compare Oppo’s blood pressure monitoring against medical-grade devices. If the OnePlus Watch 3 delivers reliable results, it could set a new standard for smartwatch health tracking—and potentially outshine Apple in one of its core innovation areas.
With the OnePlus Watch 3 expected to launch in China next month, followed by an international release, the race for the most advanced health-tracking smartwatch is officially on. Whether Oppo or Apple leads the charge, consumers will likely see a new wave of advanced health features in upcoming wearables.
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