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Markgnyc2

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 17, 2013
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Hi, I have the series 6 and its my first time with a cellular watch, I previously only had GPS models. I went for a 30 minute outdoor run for the first time without my phone. I streamed Apple Music the entire 30 min. My watch went from 93% battery to 77% battery after the run. Is this normal battery drain while on LTE and streaming?
 
16% over a 30 minute outdoor workout with GPS & HR, while streaming music via LTE is in what I consider the normal range given my experience with my S4, S5, and now S6.

I've typically seen 20 to 30% drain over an hour's workout depending on LTE signal strength and whether I'm playing music that's located on the watch or streaming over LTE.

If this is a morning or middle of the day run, consider popping the watch on the charger while cleaning up and getting dressed.
 
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16% over a 30 minute outdoor workout with GPS & HR, while streaming music via LTE is in what I consider the normal range given my experience with my S4, S5, and now S6.

I've typically seen 20 to 30% drain over an hour's workout depending on LTE signal strength and whether I'm playing music that's located on the watch or streaming over LTE.

If this is a morning or middle of the day run, consider popping the watch on the charger while cleaning up and getting dressed.
Thanks. Yes its a morning run. Even with 77% left it should last the rest of the day but I have never seen battery drop that quick on the watch, but of course I never had the cellular model.
 
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Thanks. Yes its a morning run. Even with 77% left it should last the rest of the day but I have never seen battery drop that quick on the watch, but of course I never had the cellular model.

Actively using the LTE, such as when streaming, definitely impacts the battery.

As you note - not really an issue for shorter workouts like you had.

Loading music / podcasts onto the watch's internal storage definitely helps with battery consumption -- so that's something to consider if you were to plan for a race lasting more than an hour or two -- and perhaps also consider turning off LTE for the race as well. (though if you were to carry your phone for such a race, then it'd be moot)
 
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Definitely recommend creating a workout playlist that you download to your watch from your phone (you can set this up in the settings). Put watch on charger and it will sync.

I've got a lot of songs in there (gigs). I can go jogging (waddling) with my LTE S6 at 100% for 40 mins and have 94% left over - using airpods, heart rate, and (AOD off).

I haven't tried streaming but what little streaming I've done (a few songs) it definitely hits the battery harder.

This is my first cellular as well. I'm very... very happy with it. I'm leaving my phone at home, not worried about keeping my phone with me as much as before. Loving it!

Battery life is insane too. Charged yesterday morning at 8am after my run and today at 7:12am I'm at 60%. This is better than my S5.

IMG_0563.PNG
 
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I upgraded to a 6 after missing having cellular and I noticed a similar battery drop while streaming Apple Music during my first run with the watch. I love not having to carry my phone and have my hands free to adjust my Airpods.
 
This is actually pretty good for LTE. My S3-6 typically drop 20-40% depending on the length of my run. 20% is about 3 miles up to 40% when I rain 6 miles. I started downloading podcasts because that helps the battery life as well. Good luck!
 
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I've found with the faster charging on the S6 that using LTE for a run with the associated battery drain (certainly on a 5k and 10k run >1hr) isn't an issue as I can put the watch on charge whilst I'm in the shower/getting dressed gives it enough charge to last the day (or evening depending on the time I run).
 
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