How does the Watch affect iPhone battery?

[Gibson88]

Hey all, I'm thinking about getting an Apple Watch Series 1 but I'm wondering how it affects iPhone battery.

I'm aware now with newer software updates the phone has to do a lot less processing as more is done on the watch but I'm still curious how much worse it makes the iPhone's battery life seeing it needs a constant Bluetooth connection to it.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[BarracksSi]

It (my first-gen AW, anyway) helps my iPhone's battery last longer because I use the phone less often.

 

[AlliFlowers]

It (my first-gen AW, anyway) helps my iPhone's battery last longer because I use the phone less often.

Same here. The watch doesn't use the phone's battery at all. You do have to keep Bluetooth on though. Some people find that hard on battery.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Hey all, I'm thinking about getting an Apple Watch Series 1 but I'm wondering how it affects iPhone battery.

I'm aware now with newer software updates the phone has to do a lot less processing as more is done on the watch but I'm still curious how much worse it makes the iPhone's battery life seeing it needs a constant Bluetooth connection to it.

Any help would be appreciated.

I don't see any noticeable difference. I would say barely.

 

[GoSUV]

Bluetooth is low power so the extra drain on the iPhone's battery is going to be quite negligible. OTOH, if you could avoid using your Phone sometimes when the AW takes over some responding to notifications, you are saving the Phone's battery. This kind of balances out. My personal experience matches with this theory.

 

[spriter]

Bluetooth is low power so the extra drain on the iPhone's battery is going to be quite negligible. OTOH, if you could avoid using your Phone sometimes when the AW takes over some responding to notifications, you are saving the Phone's battery. This kind of balances out. My personal experience matches with this theory.

I echo this.

Checking time, calendar appointments, weather conditions, messaging, and being able to ignore certain non-urgent notifications means I'm saving powering on the big screen.

Everyone's usage is different but I rarely leave work (10-hour day) with less than 70% battery on my 7+ and the watch at 40%.

 

[44267547]

Same here. The watch doesn't use the phone's battery at all. You do have to keep Bluetooth on though. Some people find that hard on battery.

I wouldn't say "At all." It's certainly not hard on the battery as stated, but with Bluetooth enabled, it does have to communicate simultaneously with the Apple Watch. So does contribute to some extent of usage.

I tested my Apple Watch and iPhone with Bluetooth enabled for a period of six hours. And with my Apple Watch within optimal range of my iPhone, it only dropped 3% with no notifications or phone calls. I use an iPhone 7 Plus, so everybody's results may vary based on battery life.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I would say my phone battery gets a "break" on days I use the watch as it has less screen on time.