Amazfit challenges Apple with potentially life-saving smartwatch tech
Affordable blood pressure monitoring could arrive soon
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Amazfit is working on a new generation ofsmartwatcheswith more advanced health tracking sensors, according to a new interview withWareable, and might even steal a lead onApplewhen it comes to blood pressure monitoring.
Amazfit (owned by Zepp Health) has made its name withcheap fitness trackersthat deliver impressive features for relatively little cash. These include theGTSandGTRseries, plus the toughT-Rexline, which is soon to be expanded with the newT-Rex Pro.
Now, however, it looks like the company has higher-end rivals in its sights, and may be developing a premium watch that can track much more than steps, sleep, heart rate and workouts.
“We are currently engaging with the US FDA and on areas such as ECG and blood pressure monitoring. Those things are ongoing right now,” Mike Yeung, COO of Zepp Health, toldWareable.
“While we are getting our own algorithm to be FDA certified, we are already in partnership with AliveCor here in the States.”
Time pressure
The fact that Amazfit is working with companies likeAliveCor(which specializes in mobile ECG technology) is a positive sign, and suggests that we might see a smarter Amazfit watch sooner rather than later.
Companies often release devices with some sensors deactivated while they seek approval from health administrations in various countries. For example, theSamsung Galaxy Watch 3andGalaxy Watch Active 2both launched with blood pressure and ECG sensors, butthese were only unlockedin countries outside South Korea and the US in January this year.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
By contrast, Amazfit is working to get its tech approved ahead of any product releases, which should mean they’re available to users worldwide straight away.
It may beat Apple to the punch as well, introducing blood pressure monitoring first, and at a much lower price.
Apple appears to be developingits own blood pressure sensor, but it’s been a work in progress for several years now and there’s so far been no sign of it being implemented. The tech might feature in theApple Watch7, which we’re expecting to debut in September, but Amazfit keeps a much more rapid release schedule, so we may well see a super affordable blood pressure monitoring Amazfit watch first. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we know more.
Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she’s a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.
I’m a Garmin expert: here are the 3 Garmin watches I think will get big discounts on Black Friday
Fitbit Charge 6 is back down to under $100 in Amazon’s pre-Black Friday sales
Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair review: premium, highly customizable comfort
