Apple Ships Lower-Power Mode

Watch OS 9.1 is out and as Apple promised the new ‘low power mode is shipping in that update. DC Rainmaker is taking that option for a brief test spin and has some interesting results.

… but practically speaking, the amount Apple has turned off here makes this kinda a non-usable situation. If we compare to companies like Garmin, COROS, and Suunto, their low-power modes are still relatively full fidelity except for the GPS sampling rate.

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My point here is that for *sports* usage, the new lower-power mode isn’t super helpful.

This assessment doesn’t surprise me. Apple has shipped a super power hungry display and doesn’t just want to copy the battery performance decisions that the other adventure watch makers are making basically in lockstep with each other. Apple’s perspective is always “we’re coming at this from a different angle”. If they succeed with this perspective in the market waits to be seen. What they seem to be succeeding with is that a lot of regular watch fans all of a sudden enjoy 49mm watches and are proudly wearing ‘Ultras’ as fashion statement. Market segment unlocked.