Apple plans to make heart-rate tracking a bigger focus in watchOS 27, while its long-rumored AI health coach appears set to arrive later in the iOS 27 cycle. That matters because Apple Watch already collects a huge amount of health data, but many users still need clearer, more useful insights from that information.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said Apple will keep watchOS 27 focused on stability, performance and smaller refinements, but heart-rate tracking improvements are still part of the update.
“This year’s watchOS 27 update will focus largely on stability, performance and smaller refinements, rather than introducing major new capabilities. Still, improvements to heart-rate tracking are coming.”
That update sounds practical for daily Apple Watch users because heart-rate data sits behind workouts, recovery, sleep trends and health alerts. If Apple improves refresh consistency and data quality, the Watch becomes more useful without needing a flashy redesign.
Project Mulberry now looks like a later iOS 27 feature
The bigger delay appears to involve Project Mulberry, Apple’s internal AI health coaching service that reportedly uses Apple Health data to give users more personalized guidance.
“One internal project, an ambitious AI health coaching service known as Mulberry, was recently scaled back after Cue took over Apple’s health group. I don’t expect features from that endeavor to launch until later in the iOS 27 update cycle.”
That delay explains Apple’s current health problem. The Apple Watch tracks plenty of data, but rivals like Whoop and Oura often do a better job turning raw numbers into coaching.
For now, watchOS 27 looks like a smaller but meaningful update. Better heart-rate tracking gives Apple a stronger base, while the AI health coach remains the feature that could finally make Apple Health feel more personal and useful.
