My Mom is getting older and wants an iWatch for if she falls and for it's ability to detect unusual heart rhythms.
From what I understand you don't have to get the newest iWatch to get the sensors and software that can do this for her.
Of course, I'd like to do this as inexpensively as possible. What's the
oldest version of the iWatch that will still do all the medical
functions the newest iWatch can do?
Thanks!
Apple Watch
To keep expenses down but still maintain the latest software of WatchOS 9, you might like the latest SE watch. It does not have the EKG App though, if you think she’d like to take an EKG but has Irregular rhythm notifications. It has Fall detection.
It looks like fall detection is available on Series 4 and SE (Gen 1???)
For all of the latest medical things, I think that you would need the latest and greatest Series 8. The new SE (2nd Gen) is a close second.
Apple Watch - Compare Models - Apple
The "Ultra" has everything and more than these two but it also has a bunch of things that your mom would probably never use.
I must caution you though... None of the medical things on these watches are supposed to be used for medical diagnosis. These things are mostly just for reference.
Another thing, since you are going to try to find your most inexpensive option, I'm going to guess that you might consider buying a used one from somebody.
Please, please, please read this BEFORE buying a used one:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250001038
In addition to the SE not having the ECG, it also doesn't have the Blood Oxygen level, otherwise, it's a close second and at a fraction of the cost of the Series 8 ;-)
Exactly what iPhone does your mom own? It's important to know. If you buy a new Apple Watch, it will come with WatchOS 9. And that will require an iPhone updated to at least iOS 16, so your mom would need own an iPhone 8 or newer.
Which watch version/software for my Mom?
