The news desk
On October 1, 2026, the sports technology outlet The 5K Runner reported that the PPG optical sensors in Garmin and Apple watches, in addition to heart rate, may be able to read 40 metrics. The report divided these metrics into three categories based on implementation progress: currently implemented, coming soon, and those that may only be realized last, and noted that blood glucose monitoring ranks last. The report did not disclose the specific list of 40 metrics, nor did it provide a timeline for each metric. This event has only this one report, with no subsequent developments so far.
The PPG optical sensor on Garmin and Apple watches could read 40 metrics beyond heart rate. The article ranks them into three categories: what ships today, what is coming soon, and what may only arrive last, noting that blood glucose monitoring ranks last. The original does not disclose the specific metric list or a timeline.