Apple Watch Fulfills Promise of All-Day Battery Life in Early Reviews

[terrapinjess]

I haven't seen anything related to sleep tracking with the AppleWatch.

Hmmm I did some quick reading and it's unclear if Apple Watch can just plain NOT track sleep or if it's simply not a robust part of the software....
Well either way, I feel it has the capability to do so (I mean, why not? It has gyro-sensors / motion tracking and a heart rate monitor)....

Not bashing Apple watch I just wanted to state my thoughts. I really hope the next gen is better because that's thebone I'll be on the look-out for because the watch has some serious potential.
Everyone wondering "what is the watch for," I felt the same way but after now having a wrist-worn device, I can't imagine going back. Ya, I can't respond to texts or do many other things but never missing a phone call or text message is invaluable in my line of work (IT).
What I do find very interesting now is that I wanted a large iphone (I got the 6+) but now that I need to have it on me when I may go walking out of range of the Pebble, I find myself wishing I had a smaller phone once again so it wouldn't be so damn big in my pocket! This is going to be interesting to see how the marketplace changes again and revolves around wrist-worn devices and how maybe others may want a smaller phone again.

 

[Piggie]

If you are that shallow and judgmental, I don't have a problem with you not talking to me

Well, like it or not, people all use visuals to make an initial assumption about someone.

That's why people dress up nice, look smart etc etc.
You use that to get past the 1st hurdle, then move from there.

 

[darkslide29]

My worry is what it says about you.

If I saw you wearing THAT watch I'd think positive things, nice to talk to.

If I saw you with the Apple watch, I'd probably instantly think. God I bet she's an utter pain, needing to keep updated on her social media every few seconds, can't stand to have any nice quiet time.

Perhaps wrongly, but that's the initial impression.

If you are that shallow and judgmental, I don't have a problem with you not talking to me

Why is it assumed that if the Apple Watch taps our wrist, we have to immediately look and interact with the notification no matter what? If it would not be appropriate to take out my phone, I won't be looking at my watch. Either way something is going to notify me - it is going to be that my watch taps me, or my phone buzzes. One doesn't have to be looked at more frequently than the other.

And when it is appropriate to look at my watch, I'll be able to see nothing important came through, and I can carry on, without taking out my phone. In some settings, using the watch is going to be much more convenient.

The Verge video review skit in the bar is kind of silly. Constantly looking and interacting with your watch is going to be as annoying as someone constantly waking up and interacting with their phone while talking to you. Just have common sense, people.

 

[laurim]

Well, like it or not, people all use visuals to make an initial assumption about someone.

That's why people dress up nice, look smart etc etc.
You use that to get past the 1st hurdle, then move from there.

Seriously, you and I both know the AppleWatch is going to be an awesome conversation starter for at least a year or two. I expect to be showing many people how it works every time I wear it out, especially on a plane when we are stuck together for hours.

 

[Bawstun]

..."triggering a wave of anxiety..."

Really?

Believe it or not this is a thing.

There have been studies on many heavy smartphone users, and separation from their device is linked to the exact same symptoms as actual separation anxiety.

 

[darkslide29]

Hmmm I did some quick reading and it's unclear if Apple Watch can just plain NOT track sleep or if it's simply not a robust part of the software....
Well either way, I feel it has the capability to do so (I mean, why not? It has gyro-sensors / motion tracking and a heart rate monitor)....

Not bashing Apple watch I just wanted to state my thoughts. I really hope the next gen is better because that's thebone I'll be on the look-out for because the watch has some serious potential.
Everyone wondering "what is the watch for," I felt the same way but after now having a wrist-worn device, I can't imagine going back. Ya, I can't respond to texts or do many other things but never missing a phone call or text message is invaluable in my line of work (IT).
What I do find very interesting now is that I wanted a large iphone (I got the 6+) but now that I need to have it on me when I may go walking out of range of the Pebble, I find myself wishing I had a smaller phone once again so it wouldn't be so damn big in my pocket! This is going to be interesting to see how the marketplace changes again and revolves around wrist-worn devices and how maybe others may want a smaller phone again.

I believe Apple said that it'll be linked via bluetooth, but when you are at home under Wifi, you just need to be in wifi range to continue to receive notifications. This will allow us to walk far away from our phones and not worry about taking your phone with you in every room of the house, or losing bluetooth range. Just one cool bonus thing that my Pebble could not do. Someone can correct me if I am wrong about this fact.

 

[D.T.]

Not that you really care about a real answer to this but the 38mm is only a couple mm taller than my current watch and since it isn't round, it's smaller sideways

Yeah, my wife has a number of watches, from surf/sport (Oakley), to fashion branded (Gucci) to classic, traditional brands (Tag). Any watch with that style band, unless you've got it fitted extremely tight will hang like that. It's not a big deal, she even wears some slightly oversized so it's like a bracelet.

If you are that shallow and judgmental, I don't have a problem with you not talking to me

No kidding, my wife wants one as well, she's a highly intelligent, CMU grad, incredible business acumen (ran a $250M division of the company that acquired my #2), surfs, yoga, loves scifi, is drop dead sexy, and a spectacular mother. If you miss out on her company because of the brand _watch_ she's wearing, that's your loss She probably wouldn't want to talk to him either

 

[s1m]

Hard to know what exactly these reviewers were doing all day with the watch. Also this is the first round of "selected" reviewers, so they are most likely Apple sycophants that were just happy to get their hands on the watch without any real attempt to give it a critical review.

I'll wait for more real-life reviews.

Don't youmean you will wait for reviews that are consistent with what you want them to say?

 

[chris975d]

Unless you work exclusively off your phone, I really wonder how much actual work you do while at work to be able to drain an iPhone 6+ by the end of your work day

Pretty much all work. I'm outside most of the day. If you're trying to imply that I'm gaming or some such crap, there's not a game installed on my phone. But I've never gotten even half the life out of any Apple device that they claim. My iPads are dead by the end of the second day of use as well.

 

[ksuyen]

Just finished watching the Verge review. In a nutshell....it's useless and nothing more than a toy.

Even fashion experts dismissed it and the most useful feature.....Apple Pay....which you have on your iPhone 6, so it's a $350 extension to this.

Take any reviews with a grain of salt, especially if there are mixed reviews. Some will love it to death, and some with hate it to death, too. Fortunately general consensus suggest there are more of the former, while the later is just a smaller group. Unfortunately though, the naysayers are always the loudest ones, and their comments are always provoking. There are a lot of fashion experts praised Apple Watch but some people have to pathetically look at the small group that say otherwise.

 

[chris975d]

how did they "confirm" your fears? they confirmed exactly what apple said from the start -- all day use, charge at night. and thats exactly what theyve delivered.

They confirmed MY fears in that it barely made it through the day for these reviewers, with fairly moderate usage. There's no way in hell I could get it to last 'till 2pm or so before needing recharging. Again, if my iPhone 6 Plus is at less than 10% by 5pm, there's no way an Apple Watch would last me through work.

 

[ksuyen]

Well, my fears of the watch seem to be confirmed.

If any, the reviews just confirmed that the Watch can last more than a day. Can you elaborate more?

----------

They confirmed MY fears in that it barely made it through the day for these reviewers, with fairly moderate usage. There's no way in hell I could get it to last 'till 2pm or so before needing recharging. Again, if my iPhone 6 Plus is at less than 10% by 5pm, there's no way an Apple Watch would last me through work.

Where does it say that the watch barely made it a day with fairly moderate usage?

It's either:
1. The watch barely made it a day with uncommonly heavy usage (for reviewing and developing purposes rec: Gruber)
OR
2. The watch made it more than a day with common/normal usage (for us)

 

[chris975d]

If any, the reviews just confirmed that the Watch can last more than a day. Can you elaborate more?

----------



Where does it say that the watch barely made it a day with fairly moderate usage?

It's either:
1. The watch barely made it a day with uncommonly heavy usage (for reviewing and developing purposes rec: Gruber)
OR
2. The watch made it more than a day with common/normal usage (for us)

Looks like most of the reviewers ran it to 10% or below at least once, with one reviewer using the words "just barely" in regard to Apple's all day battery claim. My usage is going to at least mirror that or be heavier if I'm killing an iPhone 6 Plus by the end of the work day. So...as I've said, it wouldn't work for me as a daily wearer. But I already knew that as none of Apple's mobile devices give me their claimed battery life. I use them... a lot. That's why I had already conceded the Apple watch to possibly being a workout only device for me, and these reviews confirmed that.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

And my new fenix 3's battery just sucks in comparison...

Up to 50 hours in UltraTrac mode; up to 20 hours in GPS training mode; up to 6 weeks in watch mode

Sucks up the Apple Watch's lunch...

I'm amazed that it might need to be charged every night. People are going to be going through batteries like the water of their tears...

BTW: Has Apple said how they will handle battery swaps? Are they swappable? I actually haven't heard yet.

----------

Seriously, you and I both know the AppleWatch is going to be an awesome conversation starter for at least a year or two. I expect to be showing many people how it works every time I wear it out, especially on a plane when we are stuck together for hours.

Actually the first six months are going to be 'Is that an Apple watch? Cool. Can you show me how it works?' To the next six months 'Oh, look, they have an Apple Watch. My mom has one' to the next six months having people saying 'Oh, that's what the older Apple Watch looks like. Did you see the new models on their website?' to the next six months of people saying 'Dude, give it up. Get the new one. Haven't you seen the new models?'

But I could be wrong. Apple might actually wait a while to update it. Maybe...

But the same thing could happen with the fenix I guess.

 

[BlueMoon63]

If a battery is worth $100(one third the cost of the device) to you, then you are Apple's ideal consumer.

I don't know the cost of the battery... but yes, I am an ideal customer. Actually, I was only replying to people saying the Watch won't be any good after 1 or 2 years because the battery will be dead. Just and FYI.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I haven't seen anything related to sleep tracking with the AppleWatch.

How is it going to track sleep if the battery dies?

 

[GREEN4U]

I keep liking the idea of getting an apple watch. Then I see a picture of it, and I'm like "oh...never mind."

 

[BlueMoon63]

If you are that shallow and judgmental, I don't have a problem with you not talking to me

Exactly... and maybe they can just look at you and think the same thing? Basing whether you will talk to someone on what they wear can be taken as a prude.

 

[NT1440]

They confirmed MY fears in that it barely made it through the day for these reviewers, with fairly moderate usage. There's no way in hell I could get it to last 'till 2pm or so before needing recharging. Again, if my iPhone 6 Plus is at less than 10% by 5pm, there's no way an Apple Watch would last me through work.

Uh...you think obsessively checking out every feature (you know...reviewing them) is normal usage?

As for the underlined, that's just nonsense. The two are completely different so drawing a conclusion between them is just foolish.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Apple battery lifespans are listed in the single digit times. Seriously.

All-Day Battery Life
Up to 18 hours

Testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software paired with an iPhone using preproduction software. All-day battery life is based on 18 hours with the following use: 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth, over the course of 18 hours. Battery life varies by use, configuration, and many other factors; actual results will vary.

Talk Time Test
Up to 3 hours
Testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software paired with an iPhone using preproduction software with a call placed from Apple Watch. Battery life varies by use, configuration, and many other factors; actual results will vary.

Audio Playback Test
Up to 6.5 hours
Testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software paired with an iPhone using preproduction software with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth. Battery life varies by use, configuration, and many other factors; actual results will vary.

Workout Test
Up to 6.5 hours
Testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software paired with an iPhone using preproduction software with a workout session active and the heart rate sensor on. Battery life varies by use, configuration, and many other factors; actual results will vary.

Watch Test
Up to 48 hours
Testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software paired with an iPhone using preproduction software with 5 time checks (4 seconds each) per hour. Battery life varies by use, configuration, and many other factors; actual results will vary.

Power Reserve
Up to 72 hours
If your battery gets too low, Apple Watch automatically switches into Power Reserve mode so you can continue to see the time for up to 72 hours. Testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software with 4 time checks (4 seconds each) per hour. Battery life varies by use, configuration, and many other factors; actual results will vary.

Charge Time
About 1.5 hours to 80%
About 2.5 hours to 100%
Testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software paired with an iPhone using preproduction software. Charge times are from 0% to 80% and from 0% to 100% using the included MagSafe inductive charger. Charge time varies with environmental factors; actual results will vary.

Apple Watch battery performance claims are based on test results from the 38mm Apple Watch. A 42mm Apple Watch typically experiences longer battery life.

So less than 9 hours for many things, and 1.5 to 2.5 hours to charge it.

And Apple is the only source for batteries and replacements.

I'm not feeling the utility of this, especially if the battery life is like car MPG ratings. The thought of having to charge it multiple times in the day kinda bonks...

 

[laurim]

How is it going to track sleep if the battery dies?

I don't think it is designed for sleep tracking since they haven't mentioned it to my knowledge but if a person really needs that function (I don't), they can just charge it when they get home before they go to bed and top off the charge later while they are awake and getting ready for work. You don't HAVE to charge it while you sleep. You charge it when you don't need it. Only takes a couple hours to completely charge it from dead. Personally, I think sleep tracking is a fad but then again, I have no trouble sleeping so haven't really researched it.

 

[BlueMoon63]

Yeah, my wife has a number of watches, from surf/sport (Oakley), to fashion branded (Gucci) to classic, traditional brands (Tag). Any watch with that style band, unless you've got it fitted extremely tight will hang like that. It's not a big deal, she even wears some slightly oversized so it's like a bracelet.



No kidding, my wife wants one as well, she's a highly intelligent, CMU grad, incredible business acumen (ran a $250M division of the company that acquired my #2), surfs, yoga, loves scifi, is drop dead sexy, and a spectacular mother. If you miss out on her company because of the brand _watch_ she's wearing, that's your loss She probably wouldn't want to talk to him either

The watch probably isn't for the vast majority of the people here (IMO).

 

[chris975d]

Uh...you think obsessively checking out every feature (you know...reviewing them) is normal usage?

As for the underlined, that's just nonsense. The two are completely different so drawing a conclusion between them is just foolish.

Ok..you're obviously correct. You understand my usage patterns completely to be able to make a better assumption about what I'd experience than I can. I've never gotten anywhere close to Apple's published battery life times on any device (usually around half), but the Apple Watch is the one that would suddenly be different. Cool....

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I don't think it will but if a person really needs that function (I don't), they can just charge it when they get home before they go to bed and top off the charge later while they are awake and getting ready for work. You don't HAVE to charge it while you sleep. You charge it when you don't need it.

True, but it sounds kinda high maintenance, so far...

 

[NT1440]

Ok..you're obviously correct. You understand my usage patterns completely to be able to make a better assumption about what I'd experience than I can. I've never gotten anywhere close to Apple's published battery life times on any device (usually around half), but the Apple Watch is the one that would suddenly be different. Cool....

What exactly do you think you'll be doing actively on your watch all day that will kill it?