Apple Watch Battery Life: 18 Hours Mixed Usage, Up to 72 Hours on Power Reserve

Apple Watch MagSafe Inductive ChargerApple has outlined specific information about Apple Watch battery life on its website, claiming that the wrist-worn device gets all-day battery life of 18 hours on a single charge based on mixed usage, and up to 72 hours in Power Reserve mode. The battery testing was conducted in March using a preproduction Apple Watch paired with an iPhone running preproduction software.

Apple claims that the Apple Watch has battery life of up to 3 hours for talk time, 6.5 hours for audio playback over Bluetooth, up to 7 hours during a workout session with the heart rate sensor on and up to 48 hours for timekeeping. Apple Watch charging times are listed as about 1.5 hours from 0% to 80% and 2.5 hours from 0% to 100% using the included MagSafe inductive charger.

Apple's claim of all-day battery life is based on using the Apple Watch for 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music playback via Bluetooth over the course of 18 hours. Apple used a 38mm Apple Watch for testing and claims that the 42mm will generally experience longer battery life. Additional magnetic chargers are available on Apple's bands and accessories page, costing $29 for a 1-meter cable and $39 for a 2-meter cable.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

Aluminum213 Avatar
129 months ago
See you generation 2 or 3


Good luck beta testers!
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MentalFloss Avatar
129 months ago
Still don't see the point of it.

I read the same thing when the iPhone and iPad were released, and in every thread where this was posted, I was stupid enough to write long posts about how I will greatly benefit from these devices. The people who posted the "Don't see the point" messages never read my replies and ended up posting it again and again.

Not falling for that this time around. Not going to explain stuff to people with limited imagination.

I see the point. Period.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fitshaced Avatar
129 months ago
They're obviously hiding the battery in the link bracelet.

I think the Apple watch price is going to be a long running joke.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
26139 Avatar
129 months ago
huh?

I'm confused... How does "talk time" relate to the Apple Watch? I thought the device just alerts you to incoming calls. Why is the watch's battery life so affected when you're talking on your phone?

Go watch the announcement.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ipedro Avatar
129 months ago
18 hours sounds reasonable. They will keep on working on battery life, so I will wait for at least 2nd or even maybe 3rd gen before buying one.

So you're getting an Apple Watch in 3 years? Have fun waiting :cool:

18 hours is more than reasonable. How many hours a day are you awake? If you sleep just 6 hours, the other 18 hours of the day, you can have the Watch on.

Take it off at night, put it on in the morning. 18 hours is a very comfortable margin for regular use without having to ever worry about the battery.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mkeeley Avatar
129 months ago
Still don't see the point of it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)