Why Wear OS Watches Have Battery Issues and How to Improve it
If you’re in the market for a Wear OS smartwatch, battery life is likely a top priority (and concern). This article will discuss important things you need to know about Wear OS watches and battery life. We’ll start by defining Wear OS and discussing its pros and cons. Then we’ll look at how Wear OS affects smartwatches. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Wear OS?
Wear OS is a version of Google’s smartwatch operating system; a highlighting feature of Wear OS harkens to the main component of Android operating systems – which favors choice. As a result, there are many Wear OS watches to choose from, each offering its own unique set of features.
Wear OS also offers an impressive variety of apps to download on other Android devices. Good examples of these apps include Telegram, Uber, and Google Fit.
The Pros and Cons of Wear OS
Many well-known smartwatch brands like Fossil, Skagen, TAG Heuer, and Casio use the Wear OS software platform. However, there are several Wear OS pros and cons that users should know before purchasing a smartwatch.
PROS
- Familiar with Android Users – Wear OS is based on the Android platform, making it friendly and intuitive to many users.
- Abundance of Third-party Apps – Many available apps on the Google Play Store are compatible with Wear OS. You can find everything from music and fitness apps to games and productivity apps.
- More Choices – Because many different brands use Wear OS, there are more choices when selecting a smartwatch. You can find everything from the high-end Tag Heuer Connected Golf to the more budget-friendly Fossil Sport.
CONS
- Wear OS Battery Life – One of the biggest complaints about Wear OS is battery life. Many users must charge their watch every night, which can be frustrating.
Battery Life Issues with Wear OS
Battery life is the biggest flaw that Wear OS smartwatches have, forcing users to charge their smartwatches every night. Unfortunately, Wear OS battery drain seems to be a common problem with many smartwatches, and despite Google working hard to improve things, batteries will only last about a day.
Google and Samsung co-developed Wear OS 3.0 to improve the battery life, performance, and customization of smartwatches. Unfortunately, the result was not as significant as they had hoped; the Wear OS battery drain still seems to be a consistent issue. However, after reviewing many smartwatches, the Wear OS smartwatch with the best battery life is the TicWatch Pro 3, with a three-day battery duration.
Fixing a Wear OS Battery Drain Issue
One of the most common complaints about Wear OS smartwatches is that the battery doesn’t last very long. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for Wear OS watch batteries to wear off after 5-10 hours. The Fossil Gen 5 battery is known for its battery drain issues.
What can you do if you have a battery drain issue on a Wear OS watch? Here are some things you can try to gain a few extra hours of battery life.
- Disable the always-on display.
- Disable the feature that automatically turns on the screen when you tilt your wrist.
- Reduce the brightness of the screen.
- Change the watch face (the simpler a watch face is, the lesser its battery consumption).
- Uninstall apps you don’t need.
- Turn off Bluetooth and let your watch run on wifi only.
- Turn off some or all notifications. Each notification that gets pushed to your watch uses power.
Wear OS is Now Available on Galaxy Watches
While there was excitement around the Wear OS 3 update, the new version of the software is not yet available on any devices except for the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. However, Google recently announced that several different brands are getting access to the Wear OS 3 update. Unfortunately, that means that other brands didn’t make the list.
Watch Brands Expected to Get Wear OS 3
- Google Pixel Watch
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Series 4
- Select TicWatches (TicWatch E3, TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS)
- Fossil Generation 6 smartwatches
- TAG Heuer Calibre E4
Unfortunately, Google wasn’t forthcoming about which brands will get the update at the Google I/O 2022 event. Brands that Google didn’t mention are likely not getting the Wear OS update and will have to wait until Google offers more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wear OS 3
Is Wear OS Available on Galaxy Watch 3?
While many users are hoping for Wear OS 3 for the Galaxy Watch 3, sadly, it’s unlikely that the update will be available this year. The update is currently only available for select smartwatches.
When Will Fitbit Release A Wear OS-Compatible Watch?
In 2021, Fitbit announced that their newest models would operate on Wear OS software; following Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, many believed it was all but assured. However, as Fitbit prepares to roll out the Versa 4 and the Sense 2, there are no indications of Wear OS compatibility despite the company’s promise.
What Is An Alternative to Wear OS?
There are several alternatives to Wear OS smartwatches, such as older Samsung Galaxy Watches, which still use Tizen OS. Other options include the Apple Watch, which uses watchOS, and the Fitbit Versa, which uses Fitbit OS.
- Read More: Fitbit Versa 3 Complete Review
What Are The Best Golf Apps For Wear OS Watches?
It’s clear that versatile golf apps improve the game and make it more entertaining for players. With that in mind, here are some Wear OS golf apps: Golfshot, The Grint, Golf Pad, and TAG Heuer Golf.
- Read More: Best GPS Watches to Play Golf This Year
Conclusion
Wear OS is a popular operating system for smartwatches; however, the battery life of these devices leaves much to be desired. Additionally, the Wear OS software is not yet available on all devices, and some brands won’t receive the update anytime soon.
It’s unclear how Google plans to proceed in the future but leaving the bulk of its user base without the latest features isn’t ideal. Ultimately, the company should focus on improving the battery life of Wear OS devices and expanding the list of compatible devices.