Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
The Apple Watch is undoubtedly one of the best smartwatches out there. It’s jam-packed with health-tracking technology, smart integration with iOS, and aesthetically pleasing and durable. However, one mark laid against the wearable is its battery life.
As the Apple Watch packs endurance of around 18 hours, you’ll spend plenty of time charging your Apple Watch. But how long does the Apple Watch take to charge? We break down the factors below.
Our verdict: Apple Watch Series 7 review
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The Apple Watch Series 7 can charge from 0-80% in around 45 minutes, and from 0-100%, in around 75 minutes. Older Apple Watch models require more time.
How long does the Apple Watch take to charge?
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
With the launch of the Apple Watch Series 7, Apple has made a point of bumping up its smartwatch’s charging speed. The previous model, the Series 6, required around 60 minutes to charge from 0-80% and a further 30 minutes to charge fully.
The Apple Watch Series 7 requires around 45 minutes to charge from 0-80% and a further 30 minutes to reach 100%. That’s an improvement of about 33%. The primary reason for this improvement stems from the newly included magnetic fast-charging USB-C cable. This allows wattages of up to 20W through Apple’s 20W USB-C charger, a decidedly large bump over the standard 5W supported by other Apple Watches. According to Apple, you will need to plug this charger and cable into an 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C power adaptor to achieve 20W charging speeds.
See also: The best Apple Watch chargers | The best Apple Watch accessories
Compared to the Apple Watch alternatives, the Galaxy Watch 4 series takes around two hours to charge from 0-100%, while the Fitbit Sense takes about 40 minutes to charge from 10%-80%.
If you own an Apple Watch SE, you’ll need to budget 90 minutes for a 0-80% charge and a further 60 minutes to reach 100%. The oldest Apple Watch still sold by the company, the Series 3, requires 90 minutes to charge from 0-80% and a further 30 minutes to reach 100%.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a faster-charging brick to improve the speed?
A: If you have an Apple Watch older than the Series 7, you won’t be able to use a faster-charging brick to bump up charging speeds. These Apple Watches top out at 5W.
Q: Does the Apple Watch charging cable affect the charging speed?
A: Unless you own an Apple Watch Series 7, the cable you use shouldn’t markedly affect charging speeds.
Q: What wattage does the Apple Watch charge at?
A: Older Apple Watches charge at 5W, the Series 7 tops out at 20W.
Q: I have an older Apple Watch, but it charges very slowly. What should I do?
A: You may want to check if your cable is still in good condition. If it’s old and fraying, you should shop for a new cable. The same can be said for your charging brick. If these two factors don’t remedy your watch’s slow charging, consider contacting Apple directly as it could be a battery issue.
