S6 charging times

[bbates123]

Are you seeing much faster charging with the Series 6 versus Series 4 or 5? Would love to see a side by side comparison...maybe I'll do that when my S6 comes in.

 

[Julien]

Probably not since the small pouches are already stressed near their limits. Seeing how many problems Apple has had with swollen batteries it may even be slightly slower. Also Apple has added an option to slow down charging and reduce high charge state time to increase battery life.

 

[bluegt]

Are you seeing much faster charging with the Series 6 versus Series 4 or 5? Would love to see a side by side comparison...maybe I'll do that when my S6 comes in.

The new S6 can charge at 0.45-0.50A, much faster than the prior generations. After efficiency loss, etc. this results in 30min for the first 50%.

I believe the watch stays on fast charge for the first 80%. If heat levels increase, the charging automatically pauses (watch will continue to show as charging but no current).

 

[MacModMachine]

Probably not since the small pouches are already stressed near their limits. Seeing how many problems Apple has had with swollen batteries it may even be slightly slower. Also Apple has added an option to slow down charging and reduce high charge state time to increase battery life.

View attachment 957958

no its faster....significantly faster. optimized charging does not slow down charging. it changes how it charges.

 

[tivoboy]

Sadly I'm finding that my S 6 is charging SLOWER than my S 4. does one need to use the new charging puck that came with the AW 6?

 

[Gmouse]

Although I presume they should be the exact same dimensions and curvature, I've seen issues with using older pucks with newer watches--mainly slower charging time. Yet, work as normal with the watch they came with. This is with the same Apple charger (from the older watch, or the newer watch).

 

[movieator]

It seems faster to me. At least faster enough that I can notice it.

We'll see how it plays out after a couple weeks.

 

[justinf77]

Noticeably faster.

 

[bluegt]

I've tested an S5 puck with my S6 and it charged all the same.

I've noticed the S6 Stainless Steel models charge slower than the S6 Aluminium models, but should still be faster than prior generations.

 

[tednol]

Probably not since the small pouches are already stressed near their limits. Seeing how many problems Apple has had with swollen batteries it may even be slightly slower. Also Apple has added an option to slow down charging and reduce high charge state time to increase battery life.

View attachment 957958

I think this setting will only have an impact if someone charges overnight, or otherwise has a habit of leaving their watch on the charger for a long period in a fairly predictable way. I have the setting set to 'on' and did for the duration of the public beta. I tended to charge my S4 briefly in the evening and then again in the morning until I get the fully charged notification, with the S6 the evening charge isn't necessary, and I don't think this setting will have any bearing on people with a similar behaviour to me.

 

[tednol]

I've tested an S5 puck with my S6 and it charged all the same.

I've noticed the S6 Stainless Steel models charge slower than the S6 Aluminium models, but should still be faster than prior generations.

Interesting observation, I didn't know that. My S6 SS charges faster than my S4 aluminium used to, I've never been in a position to compare similarly aged same generation watches with different finishes.

As an aside, have the SS models always come with charging pucks with the glossy metal finishes? This is my first SS version, and the first time I haven't just had an all white plastic puck included in the box.

 

[bluegt]

Interesting observation, I didn't know that. My S6 SS charges faster than my S4 aluminium used to, I've never been in a position to compare similarly aged same generation watches with different finishes.

As an aside, have the SS models always come with charging pucks with the glossy metal finishes? This is my first SS version, and the first time I haven't just had an all white plastic puck included in the box.

I was very surprised... using the same charging block (but different cable, used the one that came with them in the box), same setup, same conditions (starting from 0%):

Aluminium: 50% in 30 minutes / 0.45-0.50A when charging
Steel: 36% in 30 minutes / 0.47-0.52A when charging

Interestingly, they both follow the same behaviour - where they charge with the above current then stop suddenly and drop to 0.0A, then start again after a few seconds. The SS seems to take more frequent / longer breaks, resulting in a longer charge time.

My hypothesis is that the watch pauses charging when it gets too hot. SS will get hotter than Alu due to the materials used so maybe that explains it.

 

[deeddawg]

As an aside, have the SS models always come with charging pucks with the glossy metal finishes? This is my first SS version, and the first time I haven't just had an all white plastic puck included in the box.

Come to think of it the last watch I had with the plastic-sided puck was my S3 - aluminum. Since my SBSS S4, the pucks have been stainless steel sides/bottom with the white top.

I guess I thought it was across-the-board change since the 0.3m puck/cable I bought for travel a couple years ago also has the metal sides/back.

 

[Mw0103]

As an aside, have the SS models always come with charging pucks with the glossy metal finishes? This is my first SS version, and the first time I haven't just had an all white plastic puck included in the box.

My SS S0 came with a metal puck.

 

[bluegt]

I've added some details on the charging speeds I've experienced in the first post here: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/series-6-battery-life-how-long-does-your-s6-last.2256065/