The Apple Watch Ultra has the longest battery life of any Apple Watch, lasting up to 36 hours under normal use.
The Watch Ultra is now capable of up to 60 hours of life, thanks to the latest watchOS software update released by Apple earlier this week which enables low-power settings for multi-day experiences. This includes using its exercise-tracking features during a walk, run, or hike.
This is a significant upgrade from the 36 hours of battery life Apple says the Watch Ultra is capable of during normal use – even with all functions switched on. How “normal” use is defined for the 36 hours metric is 180 time checks, 180 notifications, 90 minutes of app use, and a 60-minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch Ultra via Bluetooth. The watch can be connected to an iPhone via Bluetooth for 28 hours, and the LTE connection can be maintained for 8 hours.
So how is it done? It all comes down to the watch’s most battery-intensive features: heart rate monitoring and a GPS antenna. Both are used constantly during exercise, so the batteries are worn down far more quickly than during normal use.
Apple then introduced a setting called ‘Fewer GPS and heart rate readings’ that limits how often the heart rate monitoring and GPS antenna are used – which is now part of the watchOS 9.1 software update. This mode can be found on the new Watch Series 8 and Watch SE, but will have a less noticeable result on watches with shorter battery lives.
The watch will take a heart rate reading every minute, and use the GPS antenna every two minutes, instead of constantly running in this upgraded mode. Although this would mean less exact readings and mapping data, Apple has created a new algorithm to help compensate for fewer data collected.
To enjoy the full 60 hours of battery life, Ultra watch users need to turn on both the Low Power Mode, and the ‘Fewer GPS and heart rate readings’ feature. According to Apple, the Watch Ultra will last long enough (with constant heart rate readings and GPS) to complete an Ironman Triathlon in about 14 to 15 hours, with only Low Power Mode enabled.
Cover Image Credit: Frandroid