Although watch0S 26 does not improve battery life, it still at least warns users when power consumption is too high. (Image source: Apple)
Apple has always advertised a battery life of just 18 hours on its watches, ranging from the first generation Apple Watch all the way up to the current Apple Watch Series 10. The big update to watchOS 26 also does not do anything to increase battery life, but will at least warns users when power consumption is too high.
The Apple Watch Series 6 and other new models are set to receive one of the biggest updates in the fall. watchOS 26 will not only introduce Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” look, but also add innovative features such as the “Workout Buddy”, an AI program especially designed for athletes, as well as the possibility of deleting notifications by shaking the wrist. In this context, 9to5Mac has discovered yet another new feature in the beta version of watchOS 26.
The operating system detects when the smartwatch is consuming more power than usual and subsequently displays a warning to users. This notification allows users to directly activate Low Power Mode, which significantly extends the Apple Watch’s battery life but also disables some features and background activities, such as automatic workout detection and the always-on display. According to 9to5Mac, the Apple Watch compares historical data on remaining battery levels to determine if excessive power is being consumed.
For example, if the smarwatch only has 50% battery capacity remaining at around 5 pm instead of the usual 70%, the aforementioned warning appears. This is intended to prevent the battery from becoming depleted without users noticing that the watch is consuming more power than usual. This can occur, for example, during a long workout or when the GPS module is active for long periods of time. However, at least in the current beta version, watchOS 26 generally leads to shorter battery life, even on current models such as the Apple Watch Series 10.
Since 2009 I have written for different publications with a focus on consumer electronics. I joined the Notebookcheck news team in 2018 and have combined my many years of experience with laptops and smartphones with my lifelong passion for technology to create informative content for our readers about new developments in this sphere. In addition, my design background as an art director at an ad agency has allowed me to have deeper insights into the peculiarities of this industry.
Translator: Jacob Fisher – Translator – 1876 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2022
Growing up in regional Australia, I first became acquainted with computers in my early teens after a broken leg from a football (soccer) match temporarily condemned me to a predominately indoor lifestyle. Soon afterwards I was building my own systems. Now I live in Germany, having moved here in 2014, where I study philosophy and anthropology. I am particularly fascinated by how computer technology has fundamentally and dramatically reshaped human culture, and how it continues to do so.