Tech Desk 
Sep 10, 2025
At its "Awe Dropping" event, Apple debuted a variety of health-focused features aside from the new Apple Watch Series 11 and Watch Ultra 3. Sleep Score was one of the many updates introduced; however, it was previously assumed that Sleep Score would be limited to the new models.
Apple has since stated that the feature will be available more widely when watchOS 26 releases next week.
Apple's Sleep Score feature
Sleep Score evaluates sleep quality based on duration, consistency, number of wake-ups, and time spent in each stage (deep, core and REM).
In addition to the overall score, Sleep Score includes a few categories, is compared to the user's personal averages, and is summarised to show areas for improvement.
Apple claimed that the feature was built with data from over 5 million nights of sleep using the Apple Heart and Movement Study and was backed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the National Sleep Foundation, and the World Sleep Society.
Apple WatchOS Sleep Score feature availability
According to Apple, Sleep Score will be available on the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and later, and all Apple Watch Ultra models that are used with an iPhone 11 and later running iOS 26.
Notably, this represents a significantly wider rollout than anticipated, although older device owners may need to modify their charging habits to consistently track sleep while not depleting daytime battery.
Apple WatchOS hypertension feature
In addition to Sleep Score, watchOS 26 will include hypertension notifications, live translate, and a new wrist-flick gesture, available with selected older devices, up to the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2.
Moreover, the most interesting aspect of the new watchOS is the hypertension monitoring that reports back information with the help of the optical heart sensor, along with a 30-day trend analysis, which Apple is describing as pending FDA clearance and launching in more than 150 countries and regions.
