When will Apple make a watch that can last forever?

[projoseph]

I would love to buy an Apple Watch and know the features are just incredible but.... It's just such a waste of money and the landfills can testify that all the past watches that are there if not in drawers all over the world.

We are a throw away society and this contributes to the pollution. I get it, it's all about making the green bill but I wish they would make watches that last or can at least have the batteries replaced even by third party companies.

Imagine you buying a car that the battery cannot be changed out at all so you have to buy another car every few years, ( I think if the Car Manufactures could do this they would certainly try.

I bought several FITBIT watches and they all just stopped working because of battery.

Just ranting but I will never ever buy a smart watch. I still have my watch from College, no frills but change the battery only once and it's still working perfect.

 

[Sserunkuma]

Smartwatches are repairable, but it's very time consuming, unreliable and compromises features such as waterproofing therefore Apple prefers to simply replace the device altogether. However, those devices replaced by Apple are generally recycled, they don't end up in landfills.

Being a waste of money or not is entirely subjective. If that's the case, get a Mi Band. They are cheap, pretty tough but they perform basic features.

 

[Fayette3001]

Well battery tech is mainly what stops a smart watch from lasting a long time. Same goes for smartphones as well. I’ve heard of possible new battery tech called graphene a couple years ago, but it appears to still be in testing, so until something revolutionary hits the market we have to charge every night and change the battery every couple of years.

 

[projoseph]

I understand the to each their own, just giving my personal feelings. The new Apple Watch lasts only 18 hours on average between charges. I hike and camp alot, what good will this do me. I don't want to a charger on a trip like that. My brother was in the service and said all Apple watches when there was one was put away, it's not practical but just a luxury to those that don't mind. Again my personal thoughts

 

[projoseph]

Well battery tech is mainly what stops a smart watch from lasting a long time. Same goes for smartphones as well. I’ve heard of possible new battery tech called graphene a couple years ago, but it appears to still be in testing, so until something revolutionary hits the market we have to charge every night and change the battery every couple of years.

This I can buy, this is what is needed. I hope Tesla gets in on this. I believe it can be had sooner but hey Apple doesn't want to lose the Cash COW it has.

 

[dumastudetto]

I wonder how quickly smartphone/device markers will be rushing to adopt new battery technologies that potentially prolong the usefulness of the devices they launch new models of each year?

If I was Samsung or Apple, I'd be looking to buy the rights to and then bury such technology in a landfill. A bit like razor companies and blades that supposedly last forever. 😂

 

[Fayette3001]

I wonder how quickly smartphone/device markers will be rushing to adopt new battery technologies that potentially prolong the usefulness of the devices they launch new models of each year?

If I was Samsung or Apple, I'd be looking to buy the rights to and then bury such technology in a landfill. A bit like razor companies and blades that supposedly last forever. 😂

It might not be Apple or Samsung but once that battery tech hits the market it wont take long for other companies to catch on. It will come at some point for the sake of technology simply expanding, it‘s just a matter of when not if.

 

[44267547]

I would love to buy an Apple Watch and know the features are just incredible but.... It's just such a waste of money and the landfills can testify that all the past watches that are there if not in drawers all over the world.

We are a throw away society and this contributes to the pollution. I get it, it's all about making the green bill but I wish they would make watches that last or can at least have the batteries replaced even by third party companies.

Imagine you buying a car that the battery cannot be changed out at all so you have to buy another car every few years, ( I think if the Car Manufactures could do this they would certainly try.

I bought several FITBIT watches and they all just stopped working because of battery.

Just ranting but I will never ever buy a smart watch. I still have my watch from College, no frills but change the battery only once and it's still working perfect.

Lots of issues with your post:

1.) Tech is always evolving, you can’t just manufacturer a smart watch that ‘last forever‘, given it’s composed of silicone, computer parts, degradable batteries that eventually wear out just like everything else does. What you’re proposing is not how the tech industry evolves, it is the maturity process with upgraded technology as the engineering process continues to improve, innovate, ect.

2.) Car analogies are some of the worst to compare with tech, and it’s a common misconception. When you look at car technology, they’re relying on mechanics that we’ve been using for over 100 years, where smart watches use the most basic components, but as I said, it’s an ever-changing process as the technology evolves, so does the watch.

3.) Since you’ve never used a smart watch or Apple Watch for that matter, maybe if you actually had the opportunity to experience one, come back and give your initial thoughts. It Will give you a better understanding of how the Apple Watch has evolved with technology that takes to continuously update with health and computer advancements.

4.) Lithium ion technology batteries Has been around for a long time, still very sufficient, but it’s the ‘de-facto‘ that is a commonality. It’s improving, but we haven’t reached a point where new battery technology is ready. Keep in mind, lithium ion technology is affordable and is easily mass manufactured, where there really isn’t any other leading edge technology for batteries in the tech industry, especially when you look at a rechargeable device.

 

[44267547]

I understand the to each their own, just giving my personal feelings. The new Apple Watch lasts only 18 hours on average between charges. I hike and camp alot, what good will this do me. I don't want to a charger on a trip like that. My brother was in the service and said all Apple watches when there was one was put away, it's not practical but just a luxury to those that don't mind. Again my personal thoughts

Bolded:

18 hours is not ‘ average’. [How would you even know that? As you don’t even own a watch, let alone experience one on a regular basis to make that ‘average’ comment.] Just an FYI, 18 hours is the ‘Regulated battery rating‘, but that’s completely underrated. The Apple Watch can easily achieve well over 24 to 27 hours on a single charge depending how you’re using your watch. (A lot of members can attest to that.) Apple is being very conservative with an 18 hour battery rating, when it’s easily Over achievable for the majority of consumers.

Again, it comes in the play that if you actually owned/had experience with the Apple Watch, you would be able to attest to that, but you’re just going off a ‘spec sheet‘, which doesn’t really support your experience knowledge with the Apple Watch.

And being your new here, I would encourage you to research the many threads on others battery experiences With over 18 hours through simple tweaks and adjustments with the Apple Watch settings, as everybody use cases is variable pending how they’re using the watch and what for.

 

[mj_]

Nobody is interested in making a product that will last forever because it would rob customers of the incentive to purchase new shiny things, thereby reducing the amount of money available for R&D, thereby preventing said company from ever being able to invent new things. If you're not convinced go ahead and ask former soviet block East Germans how much they loved their Trabants.

I do however fully understand where you're coming from, and I'm kinda on your side. Unlike some here I don't believe you really need to own and use a smartwatch in order to dislike it for what it is or isn't. That's like saying you can't possibly dislike getting punched in the face without having experienced it first. Multiple times, preferably. You can still be a smart watch sceptic even if you've never owned or used one. I've always considered the Apple Watch a fun yet overpriced and ultimately useless (to me) toy, and have found my scepticism basically confirmed both times I've actually tried using one. I recently came into the unexpected possession of a fully working Series 0 and am still flabbergasted why people would spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on one of these. However, unlike last time when I gave up after less than two weeks this time I am forcing myself to continue charging, wearing, and using it as much as possible until the end of this year before I make a final decision on its usefulness and utility. If I end up liking the experience I will probably swap the battery and just keep using it. If not I'll just toss it away again.

Thankfully, I live in a free society where people are free to do with their own money as they please. Some spend thousands of dollars on shiny rims. Some spend thousands of dollars on tech gadets. I spend thousands of dollars on travels. Each to their own I guess. Live and let live 🤷‍♀️

 

[jdb8167]

I've always considered the Apple Watch a fun yet overpriced and ultimately useless (to me) toy, and have found my scepticism basically confirmed both times I've actually tried using one. I recently came into the unexpected possession of a fully working Series 0 and am still flabbergasted why people would spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on one of these. However, unlike last time when I gave up after less than two weeks this time I am forcing myself to continue charging, wearing, and using it as much as possible until the end of this year before I make a final decision on its usefulness and utility. If I end up liking the experience I will probably swap the battery and just keep using it. If not I'll just toss it away again.

I think you are doing yourself a disservice if you judge the Apple Watch on just the Series 0. Even when new most of us Series 0 owners recognized it was a work in progress and not even close to reaching its full potential. Get at least a Series 3 and make your judgement on that. You may still find it less than useful but at least it would be an indication of how a modern version works.

 

[Never mind]

Smart watches have not been around very long and these are mini computers that need a lot of battery in a small enclosure that you’ll need some future technology that is not current yet to keep the mini computer going for days or weeks on end. But I believe it’ll happen, but not in my lifetime. I’m old

 

[Apple_Robert]

When Hell freezes over.

 

[||\||]

Nobody is interested in making a product that will last forever because it would rob customers of the incentive to purchase new shiny things, thereby reducing the amount of money available for R&D, thereby preventing said company from ever being able to invent new things.

Busineses don't exist to invent new things. They are profit-generating entities. People use them to make money.

 

[firedept]

Apple is about money. They answer to the share holders. Making something to last forever is not smart business.

 

[DontGetTheCheese]

Nobody is interested in making a product that will last forever because it would rob customers of the incentive to purchase new shiny things, thereby reducing the amount of money available for R&D, thereby preventing said company from ever being able to invent new things. If you're not convinced go ahead and ask former soviet block East Germans how much they loved their Trabants.

I do however fully understand where you're coming from, and I'm kinda on your side. Unlike some here I don't believe you really need to own and use a smartwatch in order to dislike it for what it is or isn't. That's like saying you can't possibly dislike getting punched in the face without having experienced it first. Multiple times, preferably. You can still be a smart watch sceptic even if you've never owned or used one. I've always considered the Apple Watch a fun yet overpriced and ultimately useless (to me) toy, and have found my scepticism basically confirmed both times I've actually tried using one. I recently came into the unexpected possession of a fully working Series 0 and am still flabbergasted why people would spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on one of these. However, unlike last time when I gave up after less than two weeks this time I am forcing myself to continue charging, wearing, and using it as much as possible until the end of this year before I make a final decision on its usefulness and utility. If I end up liking the experience I will probably swap the battery and just keep using it. If not I'll just toss it away again.

Thankfully, I live in a free society where people are free to do with their own money as they please. Some spend thousands of dollars on shiny rims. Some spend thousands of dollars on tech gadets. I spend thousands of dollars on travels. Each to their own I guess. Live and let live 🤷‍♀️

Well, 18 hours is the spec from Apple. I do agree it does significantly better. I still haven't done a wear til dead test on the 6 but I'd guess 2 days at least, which is good, for Apple.

Everyone else in this space is better, most double that, some way, way better.

 

[Madhatter32]

Apple is about money. They answer to the share holders. Making something to last forever is not smart business.

Apple is about innovation and making great products. They make money too ... thankfully.

 

[The Jericho Initiative]

Sad truth: Apple watch is tech, not a timepiece.

It exists firmly within the envelope of planned obsolescence. If you want a timepiece that transcends the moment, it will be a jeweled mechanical.

 

[mj_]

I think you are doing yourself a disservice if you judge the Apple Watch on just the Series 0. Even when new most of us Series 0 owners recognized it was a work in progress and not even close to reaching its full potential. Get at least a Series 3 and make your judgement on that. You may still find it less than useful but at least it would be an indication of how a modern version works.

Honestly, I'm rather hesitant at this point to sink yet another dollar into this experiment. How is the S3 going to benefit me over the S0? If I find the S0 useless, would that judgement be any different had I used an S3 instead?

 

[iamasmith]

Sad truth: Apple watch is tech, not a timepiece.

It exists firmly within the envelope of planned obsolescence. If you want a timepiece that transcends the moment, it will be a jeweled mechanical.

And if you have something like a Rolex GMT-II serviced every couple of years that's about £300 (was when I had it serviced last) so if it's money that you are thinking of as well as waste there is that.

My GMT-II has been in it's box since my first AppleWatch when they launched.

 

[quatermass]

Not even protons. Half life ~ 1.67x10^34 years. Possibly.

And Apple will make a watch that can last forever when they can get past thermodynamics and entropy, and no longer need to increase shareholder value. So not soon then.

 

[Fayette3001]

So from what I gathered Apple will not make a watch that last “forever” but it is more likely they’ll make one that last a bit longer from today’s standards.

 

[Arran]

And there's this:

Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.

Link

 

[rmoliv]

Never. They want our money every other year.

 

[Mousse]

When Hell freezes over.

Dante's Inferno. Canto 34.

The TL;DR version: Lucifer😈 sits in the middle of Hell, tears streaming from his 3 faces😭😭😭. The constant flapping of his wings freezes🥶 the tears to forms Cocytus. The rest is unimportant to this discussion. The point is Hell, at least the lowest part of the Ninth Circle, has frozen over.🤯

I'll be expecting that watch that lasts forever any day now...😁 Any day now.😩