Why Apple cannot get better battery life?

[wavesm]

I use a Garmin watch that last me one week. Newer ones last more that 2 weeks and even the ones with OLED display last 5 days.

I do understand some apps can use more battery but without at least 3 days battery life you cannot use all functions (e.g sleep time) or becomes actually another problem in modern life rather than a solution.

I would consider an Apple Watch but not if I need to be worried about my battery and remember charging every single day. I want it gives me freedom not something else to think about.

 

[jdb8167]

Compare the sizes of the two. It’s not just that the Apple Watch does more but they have smaller cases hence smaller batteries.

 

[wavesm]

True that Garmin has some big ones but even their smaller ones las days.

Mine is a 42MM case and last between 5 and a week. That is in smart mode, connected to mobile and notifications.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I charge my watch when I shower and get ready in the morning. I may or may not pop it on the charger at night as I'm getting ready for bed. My watch rarely sees <50% battery.

The Apple Watch can be modified to increase battery life. Turning off Always on Display, Siri, Noise detection, Handoff, turning down brightness and screen on time, not installing apps on it that you don't need.

That said, it's designed to be an always on connection with your life - mine unlocks my Mac every time I sit down to my computer, allows me to put in my admin password at admin prompts on Mac OS with a double click, I can use it for Apple Pay, it constantly is reporting my heart rate, syncing my music/pictures/messages/etc, and a large variety of other things that I'm sure I could spend time to write a few more paragraphs. I love the sleep reporting too.

Yeah, I'd love a week battery life. But as it is, charging for 30 mins+ in the morning, and maybe charging for 15-20 at night is more than fine with me. If I wanted to I could get 2 days on my AW5 before having to charge it. I have two cables so I have a cable at my work desk (charging during a 30 min work call is quite convenient) and one next to my bed.

So don't get me wrong, I'd love longer battery life, but charging this thing is pretty quick and convenient.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Comparing apples to oranges and then asking why can’t Apples look, feel, and taste like an orange is not a good analogy or expectation.

 

[jdb8167]

True that Garmin has some big ones but even their smaller ones las days.

Mine is a 42MM case and last between 5 and a week. That is in smart mode, connected to mobile and notifications.

Well I looked at a review for the AMOLED Garmin and the case is pretty large: 43.2x43.2x12.4. The screen resolution is lower at 390x390. And the review says it only lasts about 2 days with the always on display. Doesn’t seem like there is any magic here compared to Apple.
Garmin Venu Review

 

[wavesm]

I charge my watch when I shower and get ready in the morning. I may or may not pop it on the charger at night as I'm getting ready for bed. My watch rarely sees
The Apple Watch can be modified to increase battery life. Turning off Always on Display, Siri, Noise detection, Handoff, turning down brightness and screen on time, not installing apps on it that you don't need.

That said, it's designed to be an always on connection with your life - mine unlocks my Mac every time I sit down to my computer, allows me to put in my admin password at admin prompts on Mac OS with a double click, I can use it for Apple Pay, it constantly is reporting my heart rate, syncing my music/pictures/messages/etc, and a large variety of other things that I'm sure I could spend time to write a few more paragraphs. I love the sleep reporting too.

Yeah, I'd love a week battery life. But as it is, charging for 30 mins+ in the morning, and maybe charging for 15-20 at night is more than fine with me. If I wanted to I could get 2 days on my AW5 before having to charge it. I have two cables so I have a cable at my work desk (charging during a 30 min work call is quite convenient) and one next to my bed.

So don't get me wrong, I'd love longer battery life, but charging this thing is pretty quick and convenient.

Thanks, I see the benefits and hence why I would consider getting an Apple Watch but having to remember charging each day while showering I would find it annoying. I want convenience and some freedom not that a gadget becomes a weight in my life.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Thanks, I see the benefits and hence why I would consider getting an Apple Watch but having to remember charging each day while showering I would find it annoying. I want convenience and some freedom not that a gadget becomes a weight in my life.

It's added so much value to my life that it didn't take much for me to get into the habit of charging every day. Before I got the Apple Watch I laughed at the idea of having to charge something every day.

But the benefits I get from having this thing on my wrist vastly outweighs the negatives for me. Everyone is different. I'd highly recommend you give it a try so at least you know. Apple has a generous return policy.

 

[alee]

Thanks, I see the benefits and hence why I would consider getting an Apple Watch but having to remember charging each day while showering I would find it annoying. I want convenience and some freedom not that a gadget becomes a weight in my life.

Charging is life - whether you have to do it once a week, or every night, it remains unavoidable. I'm sure you can deal with the immense burden of taking off your watch after taking off your clothes to go into the shower.

Unless you shower with your clothes on... then I can't help you.

 

[wavesm]

Comparing apples to oranges and then asking why can’t Apples look, feel, and taste like an orange is not a good analogy or expectation.

Not comparing Apple with Oranges. I recon the benefits is the Apple Watch and do not expect to last the same. But between 2 and 3 days would be reasonable.

Garmin has increased battery life on same size while Apple has even reduced. WHY?

 

[jdb8167]

Not comparing Apple with Oranges. I recon the benefits is the Apple Watch and do not expect to last the same. But between 2 and 3 days would be reasonable.

Garmin has increased battery life on same size while Apple has even reduced. WHY?

Because Apple keeps adding new, power hungry features.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Not comparing Apple with Oranges. I recon the benefits is the Apple Watch and do not expect to last the same. But between 2 and 3 days would be reasonable.

Garmin has increased battery life on same size while Apple has even reduced. WHY?

My Apple Watch 5 can last 2 days easy. I do have some of the features turned off that I don't use tho. My Apple Watch 3 lasted 3 days easy.

Why? Because people want more features and don't mind the minimal charging time required.

Charging the AW is so natural to me that it is part of my dressing/undressing routine - and takes 1-2 seconds to inconvenience me.

 

[alee]

Not comparing Apple with Oranges. I recon the benefits is the Apple Watch and do not expect to last the same. But between 2 and 3 days would be reasonable.

Garmin has increased battery life on same size while Apple has even reduced. WHY?

Different products.

The Garmin is a fitness watch, and optimized for fitness stuff.

The Apple Watch basically running on a clocked down version of the A13 processor (from the iPhone 11). It is designed to be an extension of your iPhone, and meant to do probably 80% of the stuff that you do on your phone from your watch. It runs a meaty OS to do so. It is your phone on your wrist.

The Watch will go for about 36 hrs if you turn off the Always On display.

 

[wavesm]

Even if doing while showering it would not make it.

Now with lockdown has changed but normally from when I wake up, shower, get dressed and leave home is less than 25 minutes; I have breakfast at the office.

Charging the watch let’s say for 20 minutes won’t be enough.

 

[jdb8167]

Even if doing while showering it would not make it.

Now with lockdown has changed but normally from when I wake up, shower, get dressed and leave home is less than 25 minutes; I have breakfast at the office.

Charging the watch let’s say for 20 minutes won’t be enough.

Charge it 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes before bed. Problem solved.

 

[wavesm]

Charge it 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes before bed. Problem solved.

That is not problem solved but having the problem twice...

 

[bluegt]

On the S6, 30 mins of charging will get you 50% battery life (which based on what I have been testing, can mean up to 21 hours of use).

I recon daily charging while showering/getting dressed should be enough for most of the week. Maybe after a few days you will need to give it an extra half hour or hour.

 

[Apple_Robert]

That is not problem solved but having the problem twice...

If charging an Apple Watch is that inconvenient for you, then don’t get one. Problem solved. You are making this more difficult than it needs to be, because you are too lazy to charge the AW because the Garmin doesn’t need it.

 

[alee]

Even if doing while showering it would not make it.

Now with lockdown has changed but normally from when I wake up, shower, get dressed and leave home is less than 25 minutes; I have breakfast at the office.

Charging the watch let’s say for 20 minutes won’t be enough.

You're making excuses. What valuable data are you missing out on by not charging before you go to bed (e.g. like charging your phone). Sleep tracking? It's somewhat interesting, but hardly useful. Your Dr. would order a sleep study anyway.

Seems like the real problem is you want one but you are apparently the busiest person in the world and cannot be bothered to charge it.

 

[wavesm]

If charging an Apple Watch is that inconvenient for you, then don’t get one. Problem solved. You are making this more difficult than it needs to be, because you are too lazy to charge the AW because the Garmin doesn’t need it.

That is not the point; we should, as consumer, demand Apple to make improvements on this area. Beyond some sensors (that competition had long time ago) what has been the real innovation? Battery is where is lacking.

Are you telling me you are delighted with current battery life and would not like more?

 

[jdb8167]

That is not the point; we should, as consumer, demand Apple to make improvements on this area. Beyond some sensors (that competition had long time ago) what has been the real innovation? Battery is where is lacking.

Are you telling me you are delighted with current battery life and would not like more?

I’m not willing to trade off size or functionality for another day of battery life. I still want a thinner 44 mm.

 

[wavesm]

You're making excuses. What valuable data are you missing out on by not charging before you go to bed (e.g. like charging your phone). Sleep tracking? It's somewhat interesting, but hardly useful. Your Dr. would order a sleep study anyway.

Seems like the real problem is you want one but you are apparently the busiest person in the world and cannot be bothered to charge it.

Sorry but you are making excuses for Apple. Are you telling that not using one of their most advertised features is a way to compensate their shortcomings?

 

[Apple_Robert]

That is not the point; we should, as consumer, demand Apple to make improvements on this area. Beyond some sensors (that competition had long time ago) what has been the real innovation? Battery is where is lacking.

Are you telling me you are delighted with current battery life and would not like more?

We can’t demand what the current technology cannot provide. The point is you don’t want to be bothered having to charge a Apple Watch, so you make excuses for not getting one. Fine. Stick with Garmin.

 

[BigMcGuire]

That is not the point; we should, as consumer, demand Apple to make improvements on this area. Beyond some sensors (that competition had long time ago) what has been the real innovation? Battery is where is lacking.

Are you telling me you are delighted with current battery life and would not like more?

@jdb8167 is right --- you do realize that Apple is pretty far up there on technological form over utility right? Apple is known for being thin, slim, even if it means it will affect the utility somewhat.

To add more battery life would significantly increase the size of the watch to the point that it would affect millions of people wanting to buy it.

 

[bluegt]

I’m not willing to trade off size or functionality for another day of battery life. I still want a thinner 44 mm.

I agree, actually I would like if the next model had a bigger screen (same watch body size), and was slightly thinner. With a CPU based on the iPhone 12 they should be able to do that while maintaining battery life.