Battery Charging and Life

[jazzer15]

So a bit of a dumb question. I know that you can't overcharge an Apple Watch and that there is charging optimization that charges the watch to 80% and then trickle charges. I also understand that the watch supposedly "learns" from your charging routine to optimize charging and reduce battery wear.

I used to charge my watch overnight, but now that I got a Series 10 I have been sometimes wearing the watch when I sleep, although not always. So sometimes I charge it in the morning for maybe about a half hour or hour, sometimes I charge it before bed and sometimes I charge it overnight, in which case it is on the charger for around 8 hours.

If the watch optimizes charging based on your routine and I am changing that routine a lot so that sometimes I charge for a brief period throughout the day and other times I charge overnight, is that likely to have a detrimental effect on battery life over the long term? I suspect the answer is that it doesn't matter, but I was just curious what the experience of others has been.

 

[jz0309]

So a bit of a dumb question. I know that you can't overcharge an Apple Watch and that there is charging optimization that charges the watch to 80% and then trickle charges. I also understand that the watch supposedly "learns" from your charging routine to optimize charging and reduce battery wear.

I used to charge my watch overnight, but now that I got a Series 10 I have been sometimes wearing the watch when I sleep, although not always. So sometimes I charge it in the morning for maybe about a half hour or hour, sometimes I charge it before bed and sometimes I charge it overnight, in which case it is on the charger for around 8 hours.

If the watch optimizes charging based on your routine and I am changing that routine a lot so that sometimes I charge for a brief period throughout the day and other times I charge overnight, is that likely to have a detrimental effect on battery life over the long term? I suspect the answer is that it doesn't matter, but I was just curious what the experience of others has been.

Charge when you need it, don’t overthink and enjoy the watch.
Think about getting AC+ if you don’t have it already, Apple will replace yours with a refurb if your battery health falls below 80%.
I’ve had S0/3/4/7/U/U2 and never had an issue related to battery

 

[mblm85]

In my opinion, people OBSESS about their devices' batteries far too much. There was a story in the tech press recently showing how pointless it is. I guess some people need a hobby.

I turn all battery optimisation off. I charge when I want, for as long as I want. No pattern and no rules.

After 2 years, my Apple Watch 8's health (which I've never bothered checking until now) is at 88%, my iPhone 15 is at 92% after 12 months, and my nearly-four-year-old M1 MacBook Air is at 82%.

Forget about your battery and just enjoy your watch.

 

[waw74]

I've got a series 9 from launch a year ago, Sleep with it, usually charge in the evenings while I'm watching TV, or sometimes during the day at work, usually to 100%, but sometimes I'll have forgotten to charge and will give it a quick top up while I'm in the shower in the morning.

I'm at 94% in the battery health. which still leaves me with a decent charge at night.

as jz said, AC+ is pretty good deal, broken screen $349/$399 vs $69, all for $79 or $3.99 a month
one broken screen, and you've saved at least $200

 

[jazzer15]

Charge when you need it, don’t overthink and enjoy the watch.
Think about getting AC+ if you don’t have it already...

In my opinion, people OBSESS about their devices' batteries far too much. There was a story in the tech press recently showing how pointless it is. I guess some people need a hobby.

Forget about your battery and just enjoy your watch.

as jz said, AC+ is pretty good deal, broken screen $349/$399 vs $69, all for $79 or $3.99 a month
one broken screen, and you've saved at least $200

Yeah, I agree, and I'm definitely not in the obsess category when it comes to batteries, but I was curious because of all of the various threads I've seen about batteries, not charging to 100%, not doing this, etc.

As far as AC+, it's not a bad deal and I know people have their opinions about whether to get it or not, but I tend to be on the not buying "insurance" for most purchases. I'll think about it, but it's unlikely my watch would get below 80% in 2 years and I'm pretty easy on my things, so I don't worry too much about a cracked screen. I figure I've saved way more money from NOT buying AC on things over the years than I would have to spend if I needed to replace a watch or get a battery, but obviously everyone needs to do what is right for them.

Thanks much for the thoughts.

 

[jz0309]

Yeah, I agree, and I'm definitely not in the obsess category when it comes to batteries, but I was curious because of all of the various threads I've seen about batteries, not charging to 100%, not doing this, etc.

As far as AC+, it's not a bad deal and I know people have their opinions about whether to get it or not, but I tend to be on the not buying "insurance" for most purchases. I'll think about it, but it's unlikely my watch would get below 80% in 2 years and I'm pretty easy on my things, so I don't worry too much about a cracked screen. I figure I've saved way more money from NOT buying AC on things over the years than I would have to spend if I needed to replace a watch or get a battery, but obviously everyone needs to do what is right for them.

Thanks much for the thoughts.

We all have our opinions about AC+ and that’s totally fine, I always get it on my AWs as I bang into everything. Having said that, my 1+ year old Ultra 2 looks pristine for all I can tell