Bloomberg’s Gurman: watchOS 9 to Feature New Power-Saving Mode

Bloomberg’s Gurman: watchOS 9 to Feature New Power-Saving Mode

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported today that Apple’s upcoming watchOS 9 will feature a new power-saving mode that will allow using the Apple Watch and its apps and features while helping preserve battery life.

While the Apple Watch and watchOS 8 currently feature a “power Reserve” mode that limits an Apple Watch’s functionality to only showing the time, watchOS 9 will work similar to the iPhone’s Low Power Mode, to allow users to access apps and features while using less battery life.

Gurman says:

For watchOS 9, Apple also is planning a new low-power mode that is designed to let its smartwatch run some apps and features without using as much battery life. Currently, Apple Watches in low-power mode — known on the device as Power Reserve — can only access the time. The company is also planning to refresh many of its built-in watch faces currently shipping with the device.

watchOS 9 is also said to include a new detection feature for atrial fibrillation to will track how long an individual has been in a state of atrial fibrillation, says Bloomberg.

Apple will unveil watchOS 9 alongside iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, and tvOS 16 during WWDC, which will be held from June 6 through June 10.