• Ark's Newsletter
  • Posts
  • Apple Watch’s New Sleep Score Shocks Everyone—Leaves Galaxy Watch in the Dust?

Apple Watch’s New Sleep Score Shocks Everyone—Leaves Galaxy Watch in the Dust?

Apple Watch finally brings in-depth sleep tracking—see how it compares to Galaxy Watch and what it means for your health.

Author

Ark
August 10, 2025

Apple Watch Set to Revolutionize Sleep Tracking with New Sleep Score Feature in 2025

Hey insiders, tired of guessing how well you slept? The Apple Watch is poised to level up your sleep game in 2025 with a potential game-changing sleep score feature, putting it on par with rivals like the Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch. Welcome to Gat Insider, your go-to source for the latest tech scoops. Let’s dive into what we know about this exciting development and how it could transform your health tracking experience.

What’s a Sleep Score, and Why Does It Matter?

A sleep score is a single, easy-to-understand number—say, 84 out of 100—that summarizes the quality of your sleep based on factors like duration, disturbances, and time spent in different sleep stages (REM, core, and deep sleep). Competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Watch, Google’s Pixel Watch, Fitbit, and Garmin have long offered sleep or readiness scores, giving users a quick snapshot of their rest. Apple’s version, spotted in iOS 26 beta code as “Watch Focus Score,” could take this a step further by potentially predicting your daytime energy and focus based on your sleep quality.

This feature is a big deal because, unlike the raw sleep stage data currently provided by the Apple Watch, a sleep score distills complex metrics into a single, actionable number. It’s like a report card for your sleep, helping you track trends, tweak habits, and optimize your rest. For Apple Watch users, this could fill a gap in the device’s health-tracking arsenal, especially after the disabling of SpO2 blood oxygen monitoring in the U.S. due to a patent dispute with Masimo.

What We Know from the iOS 26 Beta Leak

The buzz started when MacRumors contributor Steve Moser uncovered a leaked image in the iOS 26 beta Health app code. The graphic shows an Apple Watch displaying a score of “84” surrounded by colorful arcs that align with Apple’s existing sleep stage colors: orange for time awake, light blue for REM sleep, and darker blue for Core or Deep sleep. The image, labeled “Watch Focus Score,” also includes sleep-related icons like a moon, stars, “zzz,” a bed, an alarm clock, and notably, a thermometer.

This thermometer icon suggests the feature might integrate additional health metrics, such as wrist temperature or heart rate, similar to the Vitals app introduced in watchOS 11. The design resembles a condensed pie chart, offering a visual breakdown of your sleep stages at a glance—perfect for those who want insights without wading through data.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

Apple’s sleep score appears to draw inspiration from competitors. For instance, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch introduced a Sleep Score with Wear OS 4 in 2023, factoring in total sleep time, stages, and disturbances. Similarly, the Oura smart ring provides both a Sleep Score and a Readiness Score, offering detailed breakdowns of sleep duration and stages. Apple’s “Watch Focus Score” seems to mirror these, with a focus on simplicity and integration with the iPhone’s Health app.

What could set Apple apart is its seamless ecosystem. While Fitbit and Garmin offer robust sleep tracking, Apple’s version is likely to integrate tightly with the Health app, potentially leveraging AI-driven insights via Apple Intelligence to provide personalized recommendations. There’s also speculation that the feature could tie into broader wellness metrics, similar to how the Vitals app combines heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep data.

Why Has Apple Waited So Long?

Apple introduced native sleep tracking with watchOS 7 in 2020, but it’s lagged behind competitors in offering a composite sleep score. Why the delay? Apple’s approach to health data prioritizes simplicity and accuracy over flashy metrics or gamification. Unlike Samsung’s sleep “animal chronotypes” or Fitbit’s detailed readiness scores, Apple has focused on clean design and reliable data, avoiding overwhelming users with too many numbers.

However, with growing demand for advanced health insights and competitors setting the pace, Apple seems ready to catch up. The sleep score could also address user frustration over the lack of blood oxygen monitoring, offering a new way to gauge health without relying on disputed sensor tech.

When Can We Expect It?

Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the sleep score feature, and the evidence so far comes from beta code, meaning it’s not guaranteed to launch. However, with iOS 26 and watchOS 26 expected to roll out in September 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 series and new Apple Watches (potentially including the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3), this feature could debut then. The inclusion of a thermometer icon suggests compatibility with older models, as it doesn’t rely on new hardware, making it accessible to users with Apple Watch Series 6, SE (2nd generation), or later.

There’s also a chance Apple could hold the feature for a later update, like watchOS 26.1, as it’s done with features in the past. Beta testing at WWDC 2025 will likely provide more clues.

The Bigger Picture: A Health Tracking Powerhouse

If launched, the sleep score could make the Apple Watch a stronger contender in the health and wellness space, rivaling devices like Fitbit and Garmin while maintaining Apple’s signature polish. By aggregating sleep data with other metrics like activity and heart rate, the Watch could offer holistic wellness insights, potentially appealing to corporate wellness programs or health-conscious users. Rumors of enhanced AI in watchOS 26 and new sensors in 2025 Apple Watch models suggest sleep scoring might be just the start.

Ready to Sleep Smarter?

The potential sleep score feature could be a game-changer for Apple Watch users, offering a simple yet powerful way to understand and improve sleep quality. Whether you’re a fitness buff or just want to wake up feeling refreshed, this feature could make your Apple Watch an even better health companion. Keep your eyes on Gat Insider for updates as we track this feature’s journey to September 2025 and beyond.

Would you use a sleep score on your Apple Watch? Drop your thoughts below, and stay tuned for the latest tech news!