Battery Life on Apple Watch: A Significant Improvement
The Long-Term Problem of Battery Life on Apple Watch
For a long time, battery life has been the Achilles’ heel of the Apple Watch. The issue became even more pronounced when watchOS 7 was released in 2020, introducing sleep tracking as one of its core features. Rather than increasing the capacity of the internal battery, Apple came up with a workaround: an alert would pop up when the user’s battery level fell below a certain threshold before bedtime, prompting them to recharge.
The New Apple Watch Ultra: A Game-Changer in Battery Life
However, with the release of the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple is tackling this issue head-on. The larger case size (49mm compared to 45mm on the Series 8) and the slimming down of components such as the haptic motor have created more internal space for the battery. As a result, the sports-focused model boasts an impressive 36 hours of battery life, effectively doubling that of the Series 8 despite having a slightly larger screen and double the brightness (from 1,000 to 2,000 nits).
The Rest of the Line: Improving Battery Life through Software
For the rest of the Apple Watch line, Apple is once again opting for software-based solutions rather than meaningful hardware changes. The company has introduced a new Low Power mode that will be available with watchOS 9. Unlike the existing Power Reserve Mode, which puts the device into hibernation when the battery level falls below double digits, the new Low Power mode aims to extend battery life by turning off power-hungry features.
How Low Power Mode Works
During its "Far Out" event, Apple announced that the Low Power mode can provide up to 36 hours of battery life on a full charge for the Apple Watch Series 8 and 60 hours of battery life for the new Apple Watch Ultra. When enabled, this mode disables features such as:
- Always-on display
- Background heart rate and blood oxygen measurements
- Workout reminders
- Auto workout detection
- Notifications for irregular heart rate rhythm, high heart rate, and low heart rate
- Cellular pings to hourly and on-demand
By turning off these power-hungry features, the Low Power mode can significantly extend battery life.
Turning On Low Power Mode
To enable the Low Power mode on your Apple Watch, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings
- Scroll down to the Battery section
- Turn on the Low Power Mode toggle under that
Once enabled, you’ll see a yellow circle atop your screen, and the battery percentage in the control center, charging animation, and time in Nightstand mode will also turn yellow.
Additional Features for Improved Battery Life
Apple is also working on a Reduced GPS and HR mode, which will further reduce sampling for both measures to increase battery life during longer workouts. This feature will be available as a separate toggle under the Low Power Mode later this year.
WatchOS 9 Update: A Boost for All Apple Watch Models
The Low Power mode feature is part of the watchOS 9 update, and all devices starting from the Apple Watch 4 will have it in their settings via a software update. This means that even older models can benefit from improved battery life without needing to upgrade hardware.
Conclusion
With the release of the Apple Watch Ultra and the introduction of Low Power mode with watchOS 9, Apple is finally addressing one of the biggest drawbacks of its popular smartwatch. Whether you’re an athlete or just someone who wants to enjoy your Apple Watch for longer periods without needing to recharge, these developments are a significant step forward.
