Hi, I’m a HRV4TPro subscriber. Recently updated to iPhone 18 and anecdotally seem to be getting a lot more sub-optimal readings for HRV. Is there anything about this new device/camera that impacts capturing HRV?
hi Jack, thank you for your message. All new iPhones are supported (see data below), but the cameras used are different and it might take a few tries to get used to. I'd recommend maybe also trying with a different amount of pressure, and seeing you get more consistent results
Thanks for your excellent comments. I was a bit confused though reading the last one about ‘silent upgrades’ of algoritmes: “Reddit is full of users whose HRV has changed when upgrading to a new Oura ring”. I’m fond of my Oura ring and always trusted the results but recently puzzled about the strange outcomes from very low to surprisingly high. Could you comment on this more being a consultant of Oura.
thank you Guus, much appreciated. I do not know the details here, but regardless of the specific brand, we need to keep in mind that with every hardware iterations there are conflicting needs (trade offs), e.g. we might have a very accurate, high sampling frequency but power hungry sensor, which is replaced by a more efficient, but somewhat less accurate sensor, so that the battery lasts long at the expense of a little precision (just an example). This is why when changing device we need to be aware that there might be changes in our parameters that have nothing to do with behavior, and patiently wait to re-establish a new baseline / normal range. In terms of very high HRV values, those are something that should be double checked with a different device, e.g. an electrocardiogram or at least a chest strap, as they tend to be representative of poor quality in the data (any issue with data quality, either in the sensor or in terms of actual ectopic beats, can only lead to artificially higher HRV, as the normal beat to beat timeseries becomes more erratic).
Thanks for the impressive fast response! You’re right, but I’m keen on ectopic beats (worked in the pacemaker industry). I will buy the polar H10 and proceed with the morning measurements again. Thanks!
hehe same here, but the whole premise of wearables is that you shouldn't do anything, and that accuracy can never be checked (no transparency on quality of the data, etc.). It was promising years ago, but I think as usual consumerism turned a good thing into one that is ... less good so to speak :)
Thanks for the article. I'm using for almost a year HRV4TRaining with the camera sensor on a Samsun S21, and I have observed differences compared to HRV stats on my Garmin FR955 that I have for few months. Your article prompted me to reflect and think what if I'd switch using my Polar H10 chest sensor on HRV4Training for more accurate measures, should I keep the same morning protocol (1min seated on bed just after waking up) or would you recommend first changing the protocol (to whatever would be best) and then after few weeks changing the sensor type to be able to compare apple for apple? Thanks for your views.
thank you Max, I think your protocol is good, I would simply use the H10 and then see how that goes (maybe for 2 minutes to add some stability to the measurement)
Hi, I’m a HRV4TPro subscriber. Recently updated to iPhone 18 and anecdotally seem to be getting a lot more sub-optimal readings for HRV. Is there anything about this new device/camera that impacts capturing HRV?
hi Jack, thank you for your message. All new iPhones are supported (see data below), but the cameras used are different and it might take a few tries to get used to. I'd recommend maybe also trying with a different amount of pressure, and seeing you get more consistent results
thank you and happy holidays
https://marcoaltini.substack.com/p/extended-support-for-iphones-16-in
Dear Marco,
Thanks for your excellent comments. I was a bit confused though reading the last one about ‘silent upgrades’ of algoritmes: “Reddit is full of users whose HRV has changed when upgrading to a new Oura ring”. I’m fond of my Oura ring and always trusted the results but recently puzzled about the strange outcomes from very low to surprisingly high. Could you comment on this more being a consultant of Oura.
thank you Guus, much appreciated. I do not know the details here, but regardless of the specific brand, we need to keep in mind that with every hardware iterations there are conflicting needs (trade offs), e.g. we might have a very accurate, high sampling frequency but power hungry sensor, which is replaced by a more efficient, but somewhat less accurate sensor, so that the battery lasts long at the expense of a little precision (just an example). This is why when changing device we need to be aware that there might be changes in our parameters that have nothing to do with behavior, and patiently wait to re-establish a new baseline / normal range. In terms of very high HRV values, those are something that should be double checked with a different device, e.g. an electrocardiogram or at least a chest strap, as they tend to be representative of poor quality in the data (any issue with data quality, either in the sensor or in terms of actual ectopic beats, can only lead to artificially higher HRV, as the normal beat to beat timeseries becomes more erratic).
Thanks for the impressive fast response! You’re right, but I’m keen on ectopic beats (worked in the pacemaker industry). I will buy the polar H10 and proceed with the morning measurements again. Thanks!
Personally I would like to charge more often than having a lesser accuracy….
hehe same here, but the whole premise of wearables is that you shouldn't do anything, and that accuracy can never be checked (no transparency on quality of the data, etc.). It was promising years ago, but I think as usual consumerism turned a good thing into one that is ... less good so to speak :)
Definitely agree! Still happy though. Enjoy Christmas days
Thanks for the article. I'm using for almost a year HRV4TRaining with the camera sensor on a Samsun S21, and I have observed differences compared to HRV stats on my Garmin FR955 that I have for few months. Your article prompted me to reflect and think what if I'd switch using my Polar H10 chest sensor on HRV4Training for more accurate measures, should I keep the same morning protocol (1min seated on bed just after waking up) or would you recommend first changing the protocol (to whatever would be best) and then after few weeks changing the sensor type to be able to compare apple for apple? Thanks for your views.
thank you Max, I think your protocol is good, I would simply use the H10 and then see how that goes (maybe for 2 minutes to add some stability to the measurement)