iFixit has published a work-in-progress Apple Watch Series 2 teardown that reveals a 273 mAh battery in the 38mm model, which is 33% larger than the 205 mAh battery in the original 38mm Apple Watch. However, battery life is equal to Series 1 models, likely because of the additions of a GPS and brighter display.
The teardown says the Apple Watch Series 2's adhesive is "much stronger" than the original Apple Watch, and iFixit assumes this is related to improved water resistance. It also appears that Apple has added a larger metal shield next to the Digital Crown, which is also likely an improved waterproofing measure.
Apple Watch Series 2 is marketed as swimproof, with an improved water resistance rating of up to 50 meters that makes it safe to use while swimming, showering, fishing, washing hands, jogging in the rain, and similar shallow water activities. Apple does not recommend scuba diving, waterskiing, or other high-velocity water activities.
The teardown also revealed the Apple Watch's new S2 chip, larger Taptic Engine for haptic feedback, new antenna module with a GPS, the addition of a second microphone, and a redesigned speaker that is designed to fill with water, then vibrate to pump excess water from the body of the speaker.
Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:02 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Some Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 owners have experienced unexpected skin irritation with the new models, according to reports on the MacRumors forums and Reddit.
Affected users complain of a burning sensation and redness under the sensor area. The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 measure heart rate every five seconds, and some people have wondered if that's the cause of the skin...
Saturday October 24, 2026 8:02 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The first iPhone Duo teardown videos have been shared by YouTube channels REWA Technology and Phone Repair Guru, providing us with a look inside the device.
iPhone Duo has two battery cells that can be removed with electrically-activated adhesive. There is a larger battery with a 2,962 mAh (11.56 Wh) capacity and a smaller one that is rated at 1,921 mAh (7.5 Wh). Total battery capacity is...
Friday October 9, 2026 10:20 am PDT by Juli Clover
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a nylon band from Southern Straps to go along with it.
Southern Straps is a California-based company that has been making high-quality bands for the Apple Watch since the device first launched in 2015, and the company's selection of bands offer a an...
I'm more interested in a "new" S1 teardown. We know it has the newer chip, but does it also have the newer battery? If so, the newer battery with no GPS and not-so-bright screen might really help.
So the big question I wanna know: :does this mean if I don't use gps or anything like that, that the battery life for my everyday casual stuff will be much improved? Yes?
yes. at least according to some reviews.
especially if your phone is always nearby, because then it will use the gps from the phone.
So the big question I wanna know: :does this mean if I don't use gps or anything like that, that the battery life for my everyday casual stuff will be much improved? Yes?
I don't own an AW as of yet (waiting for AW Nike+), however I have read that the AW does not have an ambient light sensor, so the display brightness would not adapt and always run on full brightness...
Can one adjust manually the brightness of the display on the AW?
Apple Watch has an ambient light sensor. If you cover the top half of the display and then push the crown to wake the display, and then uncover the top half of display the display will adjust brightness. It's not the same technology as the iPhone and iPad so everyone assumes it's not there.
I'm more interested in a "new" S1 teardown. We know it has the newer chip, but does it also have the newer battery? If so, the newer battery with no GPS and not-so-bright screen might really help.
Doubtful, the Series 1 is slightly thinner and lighter.
