Apple Watch Review: Features Battery Life That Lasts For a Day with 'Power Reserve Mode'

Since the Apple Watch was announced in September 2014, there has been feverish speculation about the battery life of the device.

Initially, rumors pointed towards the watch being able to last for about two to four hours when its apps are used heavily. Now just before Apple launches the watch in its Spring Forward event, new rumors have emerged that Apple has managed to prolong the battery life of the watch.

The online rumors indicate that the watch can now be able to last a full day without recharging. However, a full day's charge will only be available in case the user indulges in both active and passive usage of the device. But when the user makes full-blown active use of the apps, the watch will only be able to get about five hours of battery life.

9to5mac states that this improvement in battery life was achieved by Apple after it incorporated a "Power Reserve Mode" on the watch. With this, users will be able to view the amount of charge left in the battery on screen when they access "Battery Glance." They can put the device into power reserve by tapping on the displayed button.

Under the power reserve setting, the display of the watch will be dimmed and be put to sleep after a short period of inactivity. Also notifications to and from the paired iPhone will be shut off and only resume on-demand. Users could get the ability to run all Apple watch functions even in this mode or they can just view the watch face when needed.

Users can turn on the "Power Reserve Mode" even when the battery is at 100 percent and not just when the battery is low. This way they can get to use their watch longer. However, in spite of this mode, the watch will have to be recharged every night.

This limited battery life has led to several companies offering straps with inbuilt lithium ion batteries to help the watch last longer.