Apple Watch's Rumored Low Power Mode 'Still in Development' for watchOS 9

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said an expanded Low Power Mode is still in development for the Apple Watch and on track for release around the same time as the public release of watchOS 9 later this year.

watchOS 9 Feature
While the Apple Watch already features a Power Reserve mode that displays only the time on the screen to preserve battery life, Gurman said the expanded Low Power Mode would allow for use of apps and other features in a low-power state. Gurman first reported that the feature was in development in April, but Apple did not announce the feature when previewing watchOS 9 at its developers conference WWDC in June.

Gurman believes that Apple could announce the new Low Power Mode at a later date, much like the new Lockdown Mode for iOS 16 was announced after WWDC. watchOS 9 is expected to be released in September alongside the launch of the Apple Watch Series 8, a new Apple Watch SE, and a new rugged/extreme version of the Apple Watch.

Gurman has previously claimed that the Low Power Mode could be a "hardware-exclusive feature," suggesting that it may be limited to the Apple Watch Series 8 and potentially other new models. In his newsletter today, Gurman opined that Low Power Mode may work hand-in-hand with some of the rugged Apple Watch's new features.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Top Rated Comments

Motawa Avatar
16 months ago
It’s ok. The are a small indie company after all
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foobarbaz Avatar
16 months ago

When will Apple make this design round like a normal watch? The Apple Watch's square design doesn't appeal to me. At all. Which is why I haven't bought one yet
You might as well ask when they will make a round iPhone or iPad.

Just like the phone isn't the primary function of the iPhone, showing an analog watch face isn't the primary function of the Apple Watch. And most other functions, especially stuff that involves text or scrolling, would look worse on a round display. I think the 10k gold watch has shown that it doesn't make sense to compete on fashion. Most people buy the Watch for the functionality.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jedphoto Avatar
16 months ago
While not a substitute for a Low Power Mode, I keep my watch on Theater Mode and that really does help with the battery life.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
murdoc2k Avatar
16 months ago
I hope Apple would make this feature available to apple watches prior to series 8. I have the series 6 and battery capacity has dropped to 88%. Low Power Mode can come very handy when I'm out and about for the whole day.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmgregory1 Avatar
16 months ago
I love the fact that my Garmin Epix lasts two weeks between charges in normal mode, and can last a month in low power mode.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jim Lahey Avatar
16 months ago
M1 only.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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