## Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Pixel Watch 3 vs. Galaxy Watch 7: The Ultimate Battery Life Showdown
The allure of smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Galaxy Watch Ultra lies in their extended battery life, offering a welcome upgrade over their standard counterparts. But what about the Apple Watch Series 10, a sleek and popular option that doesn’t boast an ‘Ultra’ variant? While I’ve been enjoying the Series 10, its battery life falls short, leaving me constantly tethered to the charger. Determined to find a solution, I decided to pit the Series 10 against its biggest rivals – the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and the Google Pixel Watch 3. Get ready for a battery life battle royale, because the results might surprise you.
## Spec Showdown: A Look at the Key Features
All three contenders are priced competitively, offering similar specs and features. The Apple Watch Series 10 rings in at $400, the Pixel Watch 3 at $350, and the Galaxy Watch 7 at $300. Let’s dive into their key specs – display, performance, and battery – to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
## The Battery Life Battlefield: Two Weeks of Testing
To get a comprehensive picture, I put each smartwatch through a grueling two-week test. I wore all three watches simultaneously, logging battery consumption during various activities, including sleep, workouts, and daily use. I meticulously recorded battery life at regular intervals, ensuring all tracking and modes were set to automatic. Charging was done with the included cable and a charger capable of delivering maximum wattage. The Apple Watch Series 10 was a unit purchased from Apple, while the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7 were provided by Samsung and Google respectively, who were unaware of the test’s nature.
## Battery Life Showdown: Who Reigns Supreme?
After two weeks of intense testing, here’s how the battery life stacked up:
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Apple Watch Series 10:
Averaging a respectable 38 hours and 30 minutes, it offers the least endurance of the trio.*
Galaxy Watch 7:
Close behind, the Galaxy Watch 7 nearly reaches two full days, clocking in at 43 hours.*
Pixel Watch 3:
The undisputed champion, the Pixel Watch 3 blew away expectations, lasting a remarkable 52 hours and 30 minutes – over half a day longer than the Apple Watch Series 10.It’s important to note that the always-on display (AOD) was enabled for all three smartwatches. Disabling the AOD can boost battery life by about 20%. While each smartwatch offers low power and extra low power modes, these modes come with limitations, disabling some health tracking features.
## Sleep Tracking: How Much Battery is Enough?
One of Apple’s biggest challenges – and possibly the reason behind the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s existence – is the battery life of its regular Apple Watch models. Although there have been improvements, it still lags behind competitors in terms of price and size. But how do they perform in specific areas, such as sleep tracking and workouts?
Imagine this: you’re nestled in bed, only to realize your watch might not make it through the night. How much battery is enough to track your sleep? 16%? 20%? 30%?
Surprisingly, all three smartwatches consumed similar amounts of battery during sleep tracking. The Apple Watch Series 10 and Galaxy Watch 7 used between 13% and 15% on average, while the Pixel Watch 3 used slightly more at 17%. While these are averages, remember that you’ll likely need more battery to ensure your watch lasts through the night.
## Charging Speed: From Zero to Hero in Minutes?
Apple has made significant strides in the charging speed department with the Apple Watch Series 10, and for good reason. It’s now possible to achieve lightning-fast charges in around an hour, outpacing the competition. The Pixel Watch 3 keeps pace with the Apple Watch Series 10, but there’s a noticeable difference in overall charging time. The Apple Watch Series 10 reaches full charge in 57 minutes, while the Pixel Watch 3 takes 1 hour and 19 minutes. The Galaxy Watch 7 lags significantly, requiring 1 hour and 42 minutes to reach full charge.
## Quick Charge: A Burst of Power
Sometimes, you only have a few minutes to charge your watch before heading out the door. What kind of battery boost can you expect from a 15-minute charge?
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Apple Watch Series 10:
Around 32% charge, enough to last approximately 12 hours – more than enough to get you through the night, but likely not sufficient for overnight sleep tracking.*
Pixel Watch 3:
Reaching 26% charge, it offers around 14 hours of battery life – two hours longer than the Apple Watch Series 10.*
Galaxy Watch 7:
A meager 17% charge, good for approximately eight hours of battery life.## Fact-Checking the Claims: Lab vs. Real-World Performance
Every manufacturer touts impressive battery life for their products, promising rapid charging times and all-day endurance. However, these numbers are often achieved under lab conditions. Do these claims hold up in the real world, with all features enabled?
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Apple Watch Series 10:
Apple claims an 80% charge in just 30 minutes. In our testing, it achieved closer to 65%, a significant improvement over previous Apple Watch models and exceeding competitors from Google and Samsung. This 65% charge provides over 25 hours of battery life with all tracking and sensors enabled, ensuring a full day’s use with a 30-minute charge or less.*
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7:
Samsung doesn’t make specific claims about the Galaxy Watch 7’s charging speed. In our test, it reached approximately 36% charge in 30 minutes, offering around 23 hours of battery life – almost a full day’s worth.*
Google Pixel Watch 3:
Google claims the 45mm model can achieve 50% charge in 28 minutes and 80% in 50 minutes. We found it to be even faster, reaching 50% in 27 minutes and 80% in 45 minutes. Google not only met its claims but exceeded them in this regard.## The Winner: The Pixel Watch 3 Takes the Crown
Each of these smartwatches boasts the ability to last a full day, but there are some crucial takeaways.
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Apple Watch Series 10:
The worst battery life of the three, but the fastest to charge. If you’re running low on battery before bed, a 15-minute charge will provide over 30% charge, enough to get you through the night according to Apple’s own recommendations.*
Galaxy Watch 7:
The slowest to charge and second in battery life. A good option for Android users, but falls short in both speed and endurance.*
Pixel Watch 3:
The champion, offering the best battery life and the second fastest charging. While the Apple Watch Series 10 excels in charging speed, the Pixel Watch 3’s extended endurance makes it the overall winner.It’s surprising to see Apple trailing so far behind in battery life, although the fast charge times help mitigate the issue. Despite having a longer history in the smartwatch market than Google, Samsung’s offering lags behind the Pixel Watch 3 in both battery life and charging speed.
The results may not have been what I anticipated, but they provide valuable insights into the current smartwatch landscape. The Pixel Watch 3’s remarkable battery life and impressive charging speed make it a compelling choice for users looking for a reliable and long-lasting smartwatch. While Apple’s fast charging technology is a significant advantage, the Pixel Watch 3’s endurance gives it the edge in this battery life battle. It’s a clear victory for Google, leaving Samsung and Apple playing catch-up.