Apple Watch lets you pay for stuff with it, open your garage door, answer calls, check through the security at the airport, and even unlock your hotel door for you, but how long will its battery last with all that jazz? Well, the Apple Watch has an 'all-day' battery life, according to the company's presentation just now, or, more precisely, up to 18 hours on a charge. Of course, this is mixed usage and standby scenario, which would likely translate in the fact that you will be able to plough through the working day with moderate Apple Watch tinkering, then get home and stick its magnetic charger on the back before the battery gives up the ghost completely.

Here's how many hours of each individual usage scenario you will be getting out of the new timepiece, as per Apple's official estimates:

  • All-Day Battery Life - based on 18 hours with the following use: 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth, over the course of 18 hours;
  • Watch Test (up to 48 hours) - testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software paired with an iPhone using preproduction software with 5 time checks (4 seconds each) per hour;
  • Talk Time Test (up to 3 hours) - testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software paired with an iPhone using preproduction software with a call placed from Apple Watch.
  • Audio Playback Test (up to 6.5 hours) - paired with an iPhone using preproduction software with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth.
  • Workout Test (up to 7 hours) - paired with an iPhone using preproduction software with a workout session active and the heart rate sensor on.
  • Power Reserve (up to 72 hours) - if your battery gets too low, Apple Watch automatically switches into Power Reserve mode so you can continue to see the time for up to 72 hours. Testing conducted by Apple in March 2015 using preproduction Apple Watch and software with 4 time checks (4 seconds each) per hour.
  • Charge Time (~1.5 hours to 80%, ~2.5 hours to 100%) - Charge times are from 0% to 80% and from 0% to 100% using the included MagSafe inductive charger.

It's interesting that the company disclaims how "Apple Watch battery performance claims are based on test results from the 38mm Apple Watch. A 42mm Apple Watch typically experiences longer battery life," which might come as proof that the larger, 42mm timepiece would also carry a bigger battery.

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.

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