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Future versions of the Apple Watch could allow wearers to take a photo from their wrists after a new patent was granted to the tech giant, The Independent reports.

It comes three years after Apple first filed for a patent for a “built-in rotatable camera” within its market-leading smartwatch. Other major wearable manufacturers are yet to release a wrist-worn camera.

“A camera can be mounted to the housing and configured to capture a picture of a scene through the back side of the housing,” states the patent, which was first spotted by the site Patently Apple.

“A display can be visible through the front side of the housing and configured to display the picture.”

The patent also outlines a design that would allow the camera to “rotate together with the dial” in order to facilitate selfies.

The ‘Watch Having a Camera’ patent was approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Tuesday, meaning it is unlikely to feature in the upcoming launch of the latest Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch Series 8 will more likely feature updates to existing hardware, such as an S8 chip that would improve its speed and efficiency.

Other rumours hint at brand new hardware, most notably a body temperature sensor that could be integrated into fertility planning, fitness and health apps.