Is Apple Manipulating Battery Health?

[Total Respray]

I have seen mention of this topic on iPhones, but I wonder if the battery health figure is reliable on the Watch. My S4 (used almost daily for close to four years) has seen a slow but steady decline in battery health but stayed at a constant 87% since the last watchOS update (os 8). However, since updating to os 9 the battery health indicator has leapt to 91%!

Notably, Apple didn‘t mention in the release notes that the new os increased battery capacity. I don’t know whether to be a) moderately impressed that Apple has reversed the laws of battery physics and reversed the ageing process; b) quietly satisfied that Apple has found a way to better calibrate battery health, or c) just cynical that Apple are stating a higher battery health figure to discourage requests for replacement batteries (which are apparently whole watch replacements).

The watch itself has been generally reliable and I am actually rather pleased with the battery health overall. However, given that the actual battery life I get from the watch has continued to deteriorate (albeit slowly), I gravitate to cynicism as to the reasons for the stated increased health. Thoughts?

 

[scubasteve03]

I have seen mention of this topic on iPhones, but I wonder if the battery health figure is reliable on the Watch. My S4 (used almost daily for close to four years) has seen a slow but steady decline in battery health but stayed at a constant 87% since the last watchOS update (os 8). However, since updating to os 9 the battery health indicator has leapt to 91%!

Notably, Apple didn‘t mention in the release notes that the new os increased battery capacity. I don’t know whether to be a) moderately impressed that Apple has reversed the laws of battery physics and reversed the ageing process; b) quietly satisfied that Apple has found a way to better calibrate battery health, or c) just cynical that Apple are stating a higher battery health figure to discourage requests for replacement batteries (which are apparently whole watch replacements).

The watch itself has been generally reliable and I am actually rather pleased with the battery health overall. However, given that the actual battery life I get from the watch has continued to deteriorate (albeit slowly), I gravitate to cynicism as to the reasons for the stated increased health. Thoughts?

I think if Apple was going to manipulate the battery health, it would go the opposite way so they would get you to pay for a battery replacement or upgrade your watch. I'm sure the battery algorithm has been updated to show more accuracy. Most people are going to show 80% or less while you are still under warranty. I would be happy that you still have pretty good battery health for a S4 watch. My series 6 only has 91%, so your battery is doing really well.

 

[T5BRICK]

I suspect they simply updated or adjusted the way it is calculated. Battery health isn’t exact anyway. My AW4 went from 79% to 82% after the update. It still barely makes it to bedtime.

 

[Velin]

but stayed at a constant 87% ... has leapt to 91%!

Going from 87 to 91 is a difference of 4.49%. That's a very minor bump, not a leap. Calculating battery health and remaining charge is part art, part science. It's an inexact explication based on known variables. In no way are your results indicia of "manipulating battery health."

Search the forums -- li-ion battery health has been discussed here a lot in the past. The rabbit hole is deeeep.

 

[kryptticAZ]

I think if Apple was going to manipulate the battery health, it would go the opposite way so they would get you to pay for a battery replacement or upgrade your watch. I'm sure the battery algorithm has been updated to show more accuracy. Most people are going to show 80% or less while you are still under warranty. I would be happy that you still have pretty good battery health for a S4 watch. My series 6 only has 91%, so your battery is doing really well.

Well, the cynic in me suspects that they would manipulate the % higher so they don't have to deal with warranty claims for low battery health during the first year (Al and SS models) or during the first two years (edition models).

 

[AdonisSMU]

Well, the cynic in me suspects that they would manipulate the % higher so they don't have to deal with warranty claims for low battery health during the first year (Al and SS models) or during the first two years (edition models).

Doubtful theyd want the reputational damage from such a thing. I think people need to stop making things up out of thin air.

 

[jz0309]

I always get AC+ for AW and don't worry about battery health, but to each their own

 

[NM08SRT8]

Maniplating-gate?

I don’t think so. Anything like this would be lawsuit worthy and no company wants that spotlight on them.

 

[parseckadet]

Classic case of damned if you do, damned if you don't. If Apple had changed the calculation to lower the battery health someone would be here complaining that WatchOS 9 shortened their watch's useful life. That calculation is an indication of battery health, not Gospel. So is the charge percentage BTW.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

Well my battery health was 84% on Watchos8, after installing 9 it jumped to 89%, but has already gone down to 87% so I think it is probably a case of the new algorithm getting to grips with a few charging cycles.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I have seen mention of this topic on iPhones, but I wonder if the battery health figure is reliable on the Watch. My S4 (used almost daily for close to four years) has seen a slow but steady decline in battery health but stayed at a constant 87% since the last watchOS update (os 8). However, since updating to os 9 the battery health indicator has leapt to 91%!

Notably, Apple didn‘t mention in the release notes that the new os increased battery capacity. I don’t know whether to be a) moderately impressed that Apple has reversed the laws of battery physics and reversed the ageing process; b) quietly satisfied that Apple has found a way to better calibrate battery health, or c) just cynical that Apple are stating a higher battery health figure to discourage requests for replacement batteries (which are apparently whole watch replacements).

The watch itself has been generally reliable and I am actually rather pleased with the battery health overall. However, given that the actual battery life I get from the watch has continued to deteriorate (albeit slowly), I gravitate to cynicism as to the reasons for the stated increased health. Thoughts?

Mine went up as well after updating. Went from 83 to 85.

 

[azhava]

Relying on the accuracy of the battery percentage reading is about like relying on the reading on your car telling you how many miles you have left until you run out of gas. It's an estimate, but I wouldn't count on it being 100% accurate.