The Apple Watch could be a big hit when it launches in April, but one key issue might keep the device from truly breaking into the mainstream.
Analysts are fretting over the relatively short battery life of the watch, according to the Wall Street Journal. Apple claims the device will last 18 hours on a full charge, but Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey believes the battery life will be more like 10 to 12 hours with heavy use.
All of these figures are less than the 24-hour battery life that some analysts had hoped for, and could prevent the watch from being a true lifestyle device.
“Every time someone takes off a smartwatch, you’re potentially losing that user,” Canalys analyst Daniel Matte told the Journal.
The 18-hour stated battery life is less than the Android Wear LG G Watch, which Ars Technica pegged at around 23 hours, and the Pebble smartwatch, which is supposed to last for five to seven days. To address battery life issues, the Apple Watch will come with a “Power Reserve” mode that will limit the device’s functionality in the name of preserving power.
Still, we won’t get a true understanding of the Apple Watch’s battery performance until reviewers conduct hands-on tests in the coming weeks. The Apple Watch goes on sale April 24, while a pre-sale and preview session begins April 10.
11 Amazing Features of the Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is the company's' first entirely new product category since the original iPad. It's a huge gamble for Apple and a test of the still-nascent wearable market.Stephen Lam—Reuters/CorbisThe Watch is the most customizable and varied product Apple has likely ever launched. It'll come in three editions made of different metals and be available with multiple snap-in wrist bands. Prices start at $349.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesThe Watch has a touch interface that can sense the difference between a light touch and hard press. But it also has a "digital crown" that allows users to quickly scroll through lists without obscuring the screen.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesThe Watch must be paired with an iPhone for many of its functions. The device piggybacks on the phone's data and GPS connections to pipe in directions or incoming voice calls and text messages, for instance.Stephen Lam—ReutersThe Watch, like Apple's other iDevices, will have various independent apps. Examples include a Tesla app that shows the status of your electric car when it's charging and a Starwood app that lets the Watch act as your room key.Stephen Lam—ReutersApple's fitness app, one of the device's main selling points, tracks runs, walks and bike rides.Stephen Lam—ReutersThe Watch also can track your heart rate (while resting, while active) throughout the day thanks to these light sensors on the back.Koichi Mitsui—AFLO/CorbisIt also has Apple Pay, the company's digital payments platform. Swipe the Watch in front of a compatible kiosk and it will make an automatic online payment.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesCEO Tim Cook has said the Watch will last about a day before it needs to be recharged. So far, battery life has been the biggest downside of most wearables. The Watch recharges through the magnetic system shown here.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesThe Watch will come with many customizable bands that slip on and click in place at the top and bottom of the device's body.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesIt also comes in two sizes, 38mm and 42mm, to fit on different size wrists.Monica Davey—EPAHigher-end models of the watch could cost several thousands of dollars.Stephen Lam—ReutersApple is significantly expanding it's product reach.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesAnd there's one more thing...David Paul Morris—Bloomberg/Getty ImagesIt tells the time.Marcio Jose Sanchez—AP
