Top 3 Key Points:
- Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 now support FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection using new algorithms.
- Apple’s partner TSMC is advancing in 2nm chip production for the iPhone 17, facing complex manufacturing challenges.
- The 2nm chips may be exclusive to iPhone 17 Pro models, keeping other versions on older technology.
Apple’s latest feature to detect sleep apnea has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Owners of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 can now use this feature, which is part of the watchOS 11 update. Sleep apnea is a condition where a person’s breathing stops unexpectedly during sleep, and Apple’s new function helps detect moderate to severe cases of it. The technology uses the watch’s accelerometer to monitor wrist movements that are linked to breathing interruptions. Users can view this data in the Health app and share it with doctors for further analysis.
The sleep apnea detection feature was developed using Apple’s advanced machine learning models and clinical data. This puts Apple in competition with Samsung, which received FDA approval for a similar feature on its Galaxy Watch earlier this year. Apple plans to roll out this sleep-tracking feature globally, including in over 150 countries and will expand support to the upcoming Watch Series 10.
Meanwhile, Apple’s chip supplier, TSMC, is making progress on producing 2nm chips, which are expected to debut in the iPhone 17. Reports from earlier this year mentioned that trial production began ahead of schedule, with TSMC showing promising results. However, there are significant challenges with the 2nm process that TSMC can’t handle alone. They rely on a network of partners for the necessary equipment and packaging technologies, making collaboration critical.
The new 2nm chips could be exclusive to the higher-end iPhone 17 Pro models, similar to how Apple limited 3nm chips to the iPhone 15 Pro. This strategy could mean that the thinner iPhone 17 Air model might not get the advanced chip, keeping it on a previous generation of technology. TSMC is expected to ramp up mass production of 2nm chips by 2025, ensuring Apple’s continued lead in processing power for its devices.
