Getting Acquainted

To truly benefit from an Apple Watch, you must wear it consistently. It may seem obvious, but it genuinely makes a difference. Since purchasing my Series 8 in the fall, I’ve worn it almost constantly—except while showering and charging.

The more you keep it on, the more insights and data it offers. As a fitness tracker, it learns your daily habits and routines, even contributing to your overall wellness and sleep patterns.

It’s a regular occurrence for my watch to remind me to stand up, a simple nudge that has made me more conscious of my activity levels. After over three months of usage, I won’t claim the Apple Watch is a cure-all for happiness and fitness, but it certainly has a positive impact.

All for One

Apple Watch also includes a complimentary three-month trial of Apple Fitness, a feature I initially overlooked. Coming from a competitive sports background, I never sought external motivation for my workouts. I assumed Apple Fitness was just another revenue stream for the company, but I decided to give it a shot.

To my surprise, I found it beneficial! Along with the Apple Watch, Apple Fitness has been a significant enhancement to my routine.

While I might not be as fit as I once was, the program caters to all fitness levels with various workouts. I’ve enjoyed core and Pilates sessions, and I often miss my workout days. The well-curated soundtracks and visually appealing content accommodate a range of fitness goals.

After deciding to subscribe to Apple Fitness, I reviewed my monthly expenses with Apple and switched to an Apple One plan, saving me about £45 annually—a worthwhile consideration.

Ultra and Beyond

Am I considering upgrading to an Apple Watch Ultra? I'm uncertain. While I previously dismissed the idea, I now see it as a possibility.

Conversations with current Ultra users often highlight its impressive battery life. Most people likely won't utilize its extreme capabilities, and I’m not sure if the battery alone would persuade me to switch. My Series 8 lasts throughout the day, tracking my sleep and activities without issue. If my YouTube channel gains traction next year, I might invest in one for content purposes, but for now, I’m very satisfied with my current watch.

Apple has significantly improved battery life with the Series 8 compared to earlier models, and I’ve learned that there’s a simple explanation behind this.

GPS Sharing

You might not have heard about the updates to the GPS functionality on the Apple Watch because more attention was given to features like Crash Detection and Temperature Sensors. However, this change is quite noteworthy. Previous models relied on the iPhone for GPS tracking, but Apple has confirmed that the Apple Watch SE (2nd gen), Series 8, and the Apple Watch Ultra now utilize onboard GPS.

As noted by the endurance tech reviewer DC Rainmaker, this change is documented on the Apple Watch support page:

> Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, and SE (2nd generation) use the built-in Apple Watch GPS even when your iPhone is nearby. To preserve battery life, older Apple Watch models use the GPS from your iPhone when available.

Older models use the iPhone's GPS to conserve battery life, as constant tracking can drain the watch’s battery. Wearing the Apple Watch consistently is vital for its effectiveness.

Making the Best of It

Interestingly, the iPhone may not always be the most reliable GPS tracker. Holding your iPhone with a clear view of the sky is ideal, but that's not always the case.

If your iPhone is in your bag, for example, its GPS accuracy suffers. This is especially relevant for Apple Watch Ultra users, who benefit from dual-band GPS tracking (L1 and L5 standards), which is advantageous in urban environments.

Apple appears confident in the advancements made to their watches’ batteries. Although my iPhone 14 Pro's battery life isn’t perfect, it generally lasts through the day. Changes to the always-on display in iOS 16.2 have improved battery life, alleviating concerns about the watch draining the phone’s battery during workouts.

Moreover, with watchOS 9, a low-power mode is now available for added efficiency.

Wrapping Up

While this may not be the most exciting news, it clarifies why your iPhone might last longer than expected. If you use your watch for fitness tracking like I do, this is even more advantageous.

While I may be promoting the AirPods Pro 2 as my top Apple device, the addition of the Apple Watch to my daily life has positively affected my overall quality of life. With improved battery life on both my watch and phone, I’m looking forward to a great 2023.

There are currently good discounts on the Ultra and Series 8 Apple Watches. If you want to kick off your 2023 on the right foot, investing in an Apple Watch along with an Apple Fitness Plus subscription could set you up for success.

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Originally published at https://talkingtechandaudio.com on December 22, 2022.