Exploring the True Battery Life of the Apple Watch Ultra
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Chapter 1: Initial Impressions of the Apple Watch Ultra
Recently, I embarked on a two-day hiking trip with my Apple Watch Ultra, expecting impressive battery longevity. While the watch lasted for two full days, which is somewhat in line with Apple's claim of 60 hours in Low Power Mode, I found myself feeling a bit disappointed. For a device marketed towards adventurers who prefer the wilderness over the comforts of home, a mere two-day performance didn’t feel exceptionally robust.
Upon reflection, I realized I had overlooked a critical aspect of the watch’s battery-saving capabilities. In fact, my testing didn’t accurately assess the famed 60-hour battery life claim due to a second, lesser-known low-power setting.
This setting is remarkably hidden within the Apple Watch Ultra's features and has made me reconsider my entire battery testing process.
Section 1.1: The Hiking Experience
I wouldn't classify myself as an extreme hiker. My most adventurous outing was hiking Snowdon at night as part of a charity event alongside a crowd of fellow hikers. However, every February, I make an annual trip to the Lake District with my brother-in-law and some friends. This getaway is essential for clearing my head, and while we engage in significant hiking, we also indulge in some well-deserved drinks.
This year marked my first visit to this stunning UK location with the Apple Watch Ultra. Naturally, I intended to put the Low Power Mode to the test during our adventures.
Section 1.2: Testing the Battery Life
The test was straightforward: I fully charged my Apple Watch Ultra, activated Low Power Mode, and wore it continuously throughout the hiking trip, including during the night for sleep monitoring.
By the end of the first day, the watch had 57% battery remaining. However, by 5:05 PM on the second day, it had dwindled down to just 16%. After two days of hiking and workout tracking in Low Power Mode, the Apple Watch Ultra was nearly depleted and in dire need of a charge.
Chapter 2: Realizations from Viewer Feedback
Upon posting my experience, I received feedback quickly. Though not overwhelming, the comments made an important point:
“Great video, Mark! If you could activate the ‘Fewer GPS and heart rate readings’ feature in Low Power Mode and retest, that would be fantastic!”
As it turns out, this additional low-power mode is essential for approaching Apple's battery life claims.
Section 2.1: Understanding the Second Low Power Mode
This hidden feature can be located within the Settings menu under Workout. Below the toggle for Low Power Mode lies another switch awkwardly labeled ‘Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings’. This setting reduces the frequency of heart rate and GPS data to conserve battery life. While it may sound similar to the standard Low Power Mode, it has the added effect of disabling alerts and splits.
This revelation cast doubt on my entire testing process. I had not engaged this secondary option, meaning my results were likely less than optimal for assessing the watch's true capabilities.
Section 2.2: Should I Retest?
This oversight raises a crucial question: should I conduct a retest of the Apple Watch Ultra using both battery-saving settings? Given that my annual trips to the Lake District are limited, the wait might be too long. Plus, by the next visit, there may be an upgraded model available.
Fortunately, there are numerous picturesque hiking locations throughout the UK, and I enjoy taking breaks from my studio. Let me know in the comments if you think I should retest with both battery-saving features activated, and suggest where I should go!
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