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Apple Watch Series 3 Battery Lasts Up to 18 Hours, But Varies Based on Activity

Apple says its Apple Watch Series 3 offers "all-day battery life" with 18 hours of usage, but in some cases, the LTE model's battery will drain more quickly.

The 18-hour usage metric includes 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music playback, and on the LTE model, it includes 4 hours of LTE connection and 14 hours of connection to iPhone via Bluetooth.

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When talking on the Apple Watch or working out, though, battery life is shorter when using an LTE connection.

The Series 3 Apple Watch offers 1 hour of battery life when talking to someone on the phone over LTE, or three hours when connected to the iPhone.

For audio playback when connected to the iPhone, the Apple Watch battery will last for up to 10 hours, which is an improvement over the Series 2 (6.5 hours). Apple does not mention how long the battery will last when listening to music over an LTE connection, but the Apple Watch Series 3 will support streaming from Apple Music without an iPhone.

When it comes to workouts, the Apple Watch battery will last for up to 10 hours during an indoor workout with an iPhone nearby, but that number drops for an outdoor workout sans iPhone. With just GPS activated, the battery in the Series 3 Apple Watch will last for five hours (the same battery life as the Series 2 with GPS on), and when connected to LTE and GPS the battery will last for four hours during an outdoor workout.

According to Apple, the Apple Watch Series 3 will charge to 80 percent in one and a half hours and 100 percent in two hours using the included Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable. These charging numbers are identical to the Apple Watch Series 2.

Apple's Series 3 Apple Watch models will be available for pre-order on September 15, with the device launching on September 22. Pricing starts at $329 for non-LTE models, and $399 for LTE models.

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Top Rated Comments

BB8 Avatar
114 months ago
Why the red dot? It looks terrible.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
114 months ago
The Series 3 Apple Watch offers 1 hour of battery life when talking to someone on the phone over LTE
People thinking the Apple Watch will get FaceTime anytime soon are crazy. Even on my iPhone 7 FaceTime eats battery. If you’re holding out for it—don’t.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
114 months ago
Not sure I fully understand those numbers, but ok.... It’s quite clear we need a battery breakthrough next. It’s got to be the next big thing in this industry.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MadeMyDay Avatar
114 months ago
Reminds me of analog cellular days with 30 minutes/mo plans:
"Don't put me on hold. Talk fast. This is a cellular call !"

It may only be good for saying, "Hold on while I transfer you to my REAL phone."
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eduardo1971 Avatar
114 months ago
One hour of battery life?

Ugh.

But gotta start somewhere.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Westside guy Avatar
114 months ago
I'm not planning to get this watch - I'll stick with my Series 1.

I've got to say, though, that demo was a little impressive. Not the fact that she was calling from the middle of the lake, but - the lady's watch picked up her voice really well, considering its relative position as she paddled. Maybe all the watches can do that... but I still tend to hold mine up to my face (on the rare occasions) when I talk into it. I'll have to stop doing that, and see how well the microphone works.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)