iOS27’s “Healthcare” app is scheduled to have a major redesign and feature additions. In this article, we will organize the new features added to the healthcare app, and explain the technical background, practicality in Japan, and impact on users.
Interlocking with newly developed sensor system
This evolution of the healthcare app is closely linked to the latest sensor system “Health Sensing System” installed in Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The following three hardware advances are being made.
- Expanded electrode surface area: Increases the contact surface with the skin and improves the stability of electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements.
- Ring-shaped photodiode: Increases light reception efficiency and enhances optical measurement accuracy.
- Power-saving green LED: Provides efficient continuous heart rate measurement throughout the day.
With this new sensor, heart rate is measured every 5 seconds throughout the day, and heart rate variability (HRV) is measured much more frequently.
Medical device approval and technical hurdles in Japan
While it has become possible to obtain highly accurate health data, there are two issues, legal and regulatory and technological, for practical application and daily use in Japan.
Improving ECG accuracy and domestic certification
To use Apple Watch’s electrocardiogram function and arrhythmia notification in Japan, approval from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) is required. Expanding the electrode area and increasing precision will further increase the reliability of the device as a medical device in Japan.
Impact on battery life
Heart rate measurements every 5 seconds or frequent HRV measurements can significantly increase power consumption. Attention will be focused on the new processor’s power-saving performance and battery capacity optimization technology to see how Apple will suppress this.
Personalized guidance with Apple Intelligence
The vast amount of data collected is analyzed by Apple Intelligence, which operates on-device, and is presented as advice optimized for each user.
| New features | explanation |
|---|---|
| Insight | Summarizes and presents the latest sleep data and trends in maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 Max). |
| Personal Guidance | Depending on the individual’s goals (e.g. cardiopulmonary strengthening), specific action suggestions such as “adding intervals to your morning run” are made. |
| Readiness | A “score” from 0 to 10 is calculated from your activity, vitals, and sleep score. Displayed in stages such as “rest”, “don’t push yourself too hard”, “ready to go”, and “in top form”. |
| Fitness | Aggregation and analysis of daily activity in real time. |
| Vitals | Supports data display not only at night but also during the day, and utilizes HRV as an index for stress recovery. |
| Longevity | Evaluate your overall health status from seven areas: heart, sleep, mental health, motor function, metabolism, hearing, and nutrition. |
| Health Age | Calculate your “health age” by comparing various vital signs and your actual age. |
How readiness scores are used in Japan
For busy Japanese business people and environments where fatigue tends to accumulate during rush hour commuting, the “Readiness Score” serves as an objective indicator of rest. This is an extremely practical standard for self-care, such as, “My score is low today, so I’m going to avoid overtime and go to bed early.”
Comparison with Oura Ring and Garmin
Garmin’s “Body Battery” and Oura’s “Readiness Score” are already in the lead, but Apple’s strength lies in “seamless integration across the entire iPhone and Apple Watch ecosystem.”
The convenience of being able to obtain highly accurate information using a standard app without using a third-party app will likely lead to its rapid spread among light users.
Integration of blood test results (Lab Results)
Blood test data can now be managed and referenced within the Healthcare app, and can be added manually and synced with medical records. In the United States, through a partnership with a major testing organization (Quest), we offer a system where you can order over 50 biomarker tests for $119 from within the app.
Forecasting developments in Japan and utilizing health checkup data
In Japan, annual health checkups and complete health checkups by companies are commonplace.
Although it is unlikely that a paid, self-pay mail-in testing service like the one in the United States will be introduced as is, if a “function that imports diagnostic results (paper, PDF, Mynaportal linkage) and reflects them in Health Age” is implemented, it will be extremely powerful content in the Japanese market.
If it can be linked with public health data such as Japan’s “Mynaportal” in the future, there are high expectations that it will be possible to integrate blood test trends over the past few years with Apple Watch data and analyze them without the hassle of manual input.
Movement Evaluations
Utilizing the iPhone’s camera and screen, functions will be added to allow you to easily test your maximum oxygen uptake and evaluate your flexibility, muscle strength, balance, and movement mechanics from the comfort of your own home.
Balancing camera analysis technology and privacy protection
It is speculated that technology is used to track the positions of the body’s major joints in real time using the iPhone’s front camera (an application of spatial and body recognition technology cultivated through the development of Vision Pro and other products).
The camera image is not sent to the cloud, everything is processed on-device, and no video is recorded or saved, which is a big advantage for privacy-conscious users. This will be a valuable feature for elderly people undergoing rehabilitation or those who do not have time to attend personal training sessions.
Enhanced cycle tracking (Cycle Tracking)
In addition to conventional menstrual prediction and ovulation date estimation, support functions for perimenopause and menopause will be expanded.
Menopausal care and the potential of wearables
Changes in physical condition specific to menopause (disturbances in the autonomic nervous system, sleep disturbances, and disturbances in heart rate variability) vary widely among individuals, making it difficult to visualize. By continuously recording changes in skin temperature and heart rate fluctuations, you will be able to objectively understand the waves of discomfort and present it to your doctor as valuable data when visiting a gynecologist.
Compatible devices and release date
To use the new features of the new Health app, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 or later that supports Apple Intelligence, and an Apple Watch.
However, the latest Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are required to use core features such as “Readiness Score” and “High-Frequency Heart Rate/HRV Measurement.”
The healthcare app with new features is expected to be rolled out in updates in the second half of 2026 (first in US English).
Should existing users replace?
Based on the recent major overhaul of the “Healthcare” app and the introduction of the latest sensors, we have summarized by user type whether you should replace your current device.
Current model (Series 9, Ultra 2 or later/SE3) owners
OK to wait and see. Basic healthcare functions and some AI insights are available. Consider replacing it only if you want to prioritize readiness score.
Owners of Series 8 and earlier models
Recommended to replace with a new model. You can experience significant advances in sensor accuracy, battery efficiency, and new features, making it extremely worth replacing.
Health management/training oriented
Choose from the latest models (Series 12/Ultra 4). A new sensor is required to fully benefit from the analysis of heart rate measurements every 5 seconds and high-frequency HRV measurements.
Points of evolution and points of interest in the future
This health care app renewal represents a decisive evolution from a simple data recording tool to “AI-based preventive care and your personal health coach.” We must keep an eye on trends to see how far localization for Japan and collaboration with medical institutions and public data will progress.
Source: iPhone Mania
