Apple emphasizes continuous heart monitoring in new Watch models for Indian market

Apple is centering its Indian marketing on a new sensor that measures heart rate and heart-rate variability every five seconds, even while users are active, and does so without reducing battery endurance. Director Eric Jue explained that the feature builds on extensive sensor research, while health-sensing director Steve Waydo noted that the hardware changes prevent older watches from receiving the capability through updates.

IDC data show a 4% year-on-year decline in overall smartwatch shipments in India, yet advanced-smartwatch sales rose dramatically, expanding Apple’s share in that niche. Apple, Samsung and Garmin led the growth, driven partly by sales of earlier-generation devices. The company is also working with physicians in Delhi on investigator-supported clinical trials of the Watch in Indian users.