Apple unveils AI-powered Health app with longevity tracking

Apple ↘ 0.52% on Wednesday unveiled a redesigned Health app powered by Apple Intelligence at its Surprise and Shine event, introducing features that bring the company into more direct competition with health-focused wearable makers like Oura and Whoop. The update, paired with new hardware in the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, marks Apple's most ambitious push into personalized health tracking.

A New Health Sensing System

At the center of the announcement is a rebuilt sensor array on the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The new Health Sensing System features redesigned optical and electrical heart sensors that measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day, while heart rate variability is now tracked as often as every five minutes — 24 times more frequently than before. Apple cited an internal study of over 1,000 participants that it said showed the highest heart rate accuracy across leading wearables.apple+1

The watches also introduce a readiness score, rated 0 to 10, that synthesizes recent activity, vitals, and sleep data into one of four daily recommendations: Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It. The scoring algorithm was developed using data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study.mhealthspot+1

Health Age, Longevity, and Lab Tests

The redesigned Health app on iPhone adds a Longevity tab that analyzes long-term data across heart health, sleep, movement, and other categories. A new Health Age feature uses Apple Watch metrics like VO2 max, resting heart rate, and HRV — along with optional lab data such as A1c and LDL — to show users how their health tracks relative to their chronological age.techcrunch+1

Through a new partnership with Quest Diagnostics, U.S. users will be able to order a 50-biomarker blood panel for $119 directly through the Health app at approximately 2,000 locations. Apple also introduced at-home movement evaluations that use the iPhone camera and vision-based AI models to assess flexibility, strength, balance, and movement mechanics, with no video recorded or stored.apple+1

Perimenopause Support and Availability

Apple added perimenopause and menopause support to Cycle Tracking, including notifications for users 40 and over if logged cycle patterns suggest perimenopause. The redesigned Health app will roll out later this year, starting in U.S. English, and requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399, with pre-orders open and general availability beginning September 18.gadgetsandwearables+3

"By combining breakthrough sensing on Apple Watch with Apple Intelligence in the Health app, we're able to translate complex biometric data into clear guidance for users," said Sumbul Desai, Apple's vice president of Health and Fitness.apple