Apple details more about the battery life and water resistance of the Apple Watch
We’re finally learning much more about two important features of the Apple Watch – battery life and water resistance.
After today’s special media event, Apple updated its site with a specific section on the watch’s battery. Along with the 18-hour “all-day” battery life mentioned by CEO Tim Cook, Apple conducted a number of other tests.
During Apple’s testing, the watch’s battery can last for up to a three-hour phone call. Expect up to 6.5 hours of battery life playing back music on the watch paired with an iPhone via Bluetooth.
In a workout test, with a workout session active and the heart rate sensor on, the battery should last up to seven hours.
Using the device as a just a timepiece for five time checks per hour, the watch’s battery can last for up to 48 hours.
Apple also detailed more about the rumored power reserve mode:
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. Battery life varies by use, configuration, and many other factors; actual results will vary.
Users can charge the battery from 0 percent to 80 percent in approximately 1.5 hours. Charging to 100 percent takes around 2.5 hours. Finally, Apple states that the larger, 42mm watch version offers better battery life than the smaller 38mm watch.
We’ve known since September that the Apple Watch, under normal use, would need to be charged nightly. So these battery life tests shouldn’t be much of a surprise. I am glad to see the power reserve function, though.
And finally, Apple confirmed that the watch itself is just water resistant and not waterproof:
Apple Watch is splash and water resistant but not waterproof. You can, for example, wear and use Apple Watch during exercise, in the rain, and while washing your hands, but submerging Apple Watch is not recommended. Apple Watch has a water resistance rating of IPX7 under IEC standard 60529. The leather bands are not water resistant.
So while you can take a shower with the wearable, don’t expect to submerge it in water for any amount of time without getting into some major trouble.
Buyers will be able to preorder the Apple Watch starting on Friday, April 10. It will officially hit the market two weeks later on Friday, April 24.
For more information about the wearable, take a look at our recap of today’s event and the numerous configurations of the watch available to purchase.