watchOS 9 Introduces New Low Power Mode on Apple Watch Series 4 and Later

Apple today announced that watchOS 9 will feature a new Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer. When the Low Power Mode is enabled, the Apple Watch will be able to get up to 36 hours of battery life per charge.

Apple Watch Low Power Mode watchOS 9
Apple says Low Power Mode will temporarily disable or limit select sensors and features, including the always-on display, autostart workouts, heart health notifications, and more. Other features like activity tracking and fall detection will remain available.

The new Low Power Mode in watchOS 9 is separate from the Apple Watch's existing Power Reserve mode that only displays the clock when enabled.

Low Power Mode is just one of many new features that will be available on the all-new Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE, which are available to pre-order starting today and will launch on September 16. Other new features for the Apple Watch Series 8 include a body temperature sensor focused on women's health and car crash detection.

As for the new high-end Apple Watch Ultra, Apple said a new battery optimization feature will be available later this year that allows the device to get up to 60 hours of battery life per charge. It sounds like this feature will be separate from the Low Power Mode.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
crossbody strap

iPhone 17's 'Crossbody Strap' Accessory to Feature Magnetic Design

Thursday August 28, 2025 7:49 am PDT by
Apple's cases for the iPhone 17 lineup will be accompanied by a new Crossbody Strap accessory with a unique magnetic design, according to the leaker known as "Majin Bu." Apple's Crossbody Strap reportedly features an unusual magnetic design; it likely has a "flexible metal core" that makes it magnetic along its entire length. At the ends, "rings polarized oppositely to the strap close the...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...

Top Rated Comments

_Spinn_ Avatar
39 months ago
Low power mode is a welcome addition.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anticipate Avatar
39 months ago
Here's the details.

Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrjoedot Avatar
39 months ago

Shame this feature is buried in settings. Would have been great as a power button hold option
wrong.
can also just swipe up. tap on battery % and toggle low power there
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NJRonbo Avatar
39 months ago
$799 for the PRO is better than I thought. Would have to think about that.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anticipate Avatar
39 months ago

This is basically the same thing as Power Reserve mode ?‍♂️
No, it’s not even close. Power reserve mode shuts off the watch and just shows you the time when you click the side button. Low power mode continues to run to watch, you can raise your arm, look at the time, track steps, you get notifications. It’s completely and utterly different.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shanghaichica Avatar
39 months ago

This is basically the same thing as Power Reserve mode ?‍♂️
It’s not the same thing. In power reserve mode you can only see the time and nothing else. Here you’ll still be able to see your notifications, messages etc. it’s just the fitness tracking, AOD and health sensors that aren’t available.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)