Technologies

Stop Charging Your Android Watch Daily. Here Are 7 Tips for Longer Battery Life

From Samsung’s Galaxy Watch to Google’s Pixel Watch and other Wear OS models, these settings can add hours of extra battery life for sleep and fitness tracking.

Nothing kills the motivation of a midday workout faster than raising your wrist and seeing a dead, black watch screen. Honestly, did you even work out if your smartwatch didn’t give you credit for it?

Sure, most newer smartwatch models can now last more than a day, including a full night of sleep tracking. But even some of the top powerhouses, including the Pixel Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, tend to crap out midway through day two when there’s no charger in sight (mine’s on my nightstand).

After one too many days staring at a dark screen and missing key health metrics as a result, I finally started looking for ways to squeeze a few more hours out of my watch — long enough to at least get back to my charger at the end of the day without skipping a beat.

1. Lower the display brightness

Most people overlook this simple tweak: Your watch can usually run at a lower brightness setting without losing visibility. It’s one of the easiest ways to extend battery life without giving up any features, and it can add an extra hour or two of runtime. Just make sure to keep adaptive brightness on so that the display adjusts automatically as you move between indoors and outdoors, since the lowest setting can be unreadable in direct sunlight.

To adjust brightness, go to Settings > Display > Brightness.

2. Disable ‘Hey Google’ or hotword detection

Being able to summon Google’s voice assistant (now Gemini) hands-free is convenient, but it’s hardly essential and comes with a steep battery cost. Your watch is constantly listening in the background for the “Hey Google” cue, which drains power throughout the day.

To cut back on that battery toll, switch to manual activation instead. On most watches, you can summon the assistant with a long press of the side button.

Go to Settings > Google > Digital Assistant and toggle off Hey Google.

If you’re using the Pixel Watch 4, you may also want to disable “Raise to Talk”, which triggers Gemini in a similar way without even having to say the magic phrase. Go to Settings > Gestures > Raise to Talk and toggle it off.

3. Use a battery-friendly watch face

Brighter watch faces with lots of animations or complications that need frequent updates (like the heart rate or weather widgets) generally drain the battery faster than darker, simpler ones with static complications.

Some platforms, such as the OnePlus Watch, even assign a battery score to watch faces so you can see which ones consume the most power. Third-party apps like Facer also have a “power impact” rating for their watch faces. Needless to say, the lower the power rating, the longer your battery life.

4. Turn off the always-on display

If you want to see a major jump in battery life — I’m talking five-plus hours — try turning off your watch’s always-on display. Glancing at the time (and other info) without lifting your wrist may be convenient, but it’s also one of the biggest battery hogs on any smartwatch.

The exact steps vary by model, but you’ll typically find the toggle under Settings > Display > Always-On.

Just note that on some models, this also means your workout metrics won’t stay visible during exercise, though others, like the Pixel Watch 4, keep workout stats on even when the AOD is disabled.

5. Turn on Power Saving (Battery Saver) mode

If all else fails, you can always turn on whatever permutation of low-power mode your smartwatch offers. On Samsung and OnePlus watches it’s called Power Saving/Saver, on Pixel it’s Battery Saver and on Mobvoi’s TicWatch it’s Essential Mode.

These modes typically disable the AOD, pause or limit background health tracking (you’ll still get full metrics during workouts) and may delay notifications. Since the specifics vary across manufacturers, it’s best to check your device’s settings so you know exactly what you’ll be missing out on.

You can usually access power-saving mode from the quick-settings menu (tap the battery icon) or by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver.

And if you want to go truly extreme, some watches offer a mode that turns your device into a dimly lit, time-only analogue. Samsung’s Watch-Only Mode, for example, can push battery life up to 27 days.

6. Max out the charging speed

Even with the longest-lasting batteries, you’ll eventually need to recharge, which is why it’s important to make sure you’re getting the fastest charging speeds possible. The less time your watch spends off your wrist, the more credit you’ll get for the sleep and exercise you actually do.

Charging speeds vary by manufacturer, but you can only take full advantage of them if you’re using the right power adapter. Check your watch’s specs to confirm the wattage required for fast charging. The Galaxy Watch, for example, needs a 10W (or higher) charger to reach the super-fast charging speed.

7. Prioritize battery life before you buy

Even with all these tips, your battery may still drain faster than you need. In that case, it might be time to upgrade to a newer model. Smartwatch batteries naturally deteriorate over time and aren’t always replaceable. Here are a few things worth knowing upfront if you’re looking to optimize battery life.

Go bigger when possible. In most lineups, the larger case size typically has a bigger battery that lasts a bit longer than its smaller counterpart — at least a couple of extra hours, depending on the model. The larger Pixel Watch 4 (45mm), for example, gets roughly 10 hours more running time than its smaller (41mm) counterpart. The downside to larger watch sizes is that they tend to be more expensive and may look and feel bulky on smaller wrists.

“Ultra” or rugged models last the longest. These watches often pack the biggest batteries in a company’s lineup. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra, for instance, has the largest battery of the brand’s current models and can push close to 48 hours of use.

Brand matters. While you can’t expect any Wear OS watch to deliver the week-long (or longer) battery life that dedicated sports watches like Garmin can, there are still significant variations from brand to brand. At 631 mAh, the OnePlus Watch 3’s battery is the largest of any Wear OS watch I’ve tested, followed closely by Mobvoi’s TicWatch Pro 5, which has a 628 mAh battery. There will be other trade-offs in terms of features, but they both outlast Samsung’s and Google’s flagship models by at least five hours, depending on size and usage.

Newer models may charge faster. You can save money by choosing an older model of a watch, but companies tend to optimize charging speed with each upgrade. So check that the watch you’re getting has the fastest possible charging speed. This year’s Pixel Watch, for example, can reach a full charge in under an hour or give you enough juice for a full night of sleep tracking in the five minutes it takes you to brush your teeth.

Whatever combination of tricks you use, or new model you upgrade to, hopefully you’ll find the right mix of settings and features to keep your Wear OS watch tracking the data you truly care about before the battery runs out. And once you see how useful the health and sleep information these devices can surface is, keeping them powered up feels worth the effort.

Technologies

Bessent tells Russia no economic relief will come until Ukraine war ends as Europe isolates Moscow at G20

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that no economic relief or new agreements can be made while the war in Ukraine continues, during a rare G20 meeting in Asheville, North Carolina.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that no sanctions relief or new agreements with Moscow were possible, as long as the war in Ukraine continues.

The two officials met on the sidelines of a Group of 20 finance leaders gathering in Asheville, North Carolina.

Bessent’s remarks came as Siluanov’s first in-person appearance at the summit since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 drew objections from other European leaders. European governments have planned to expand sanctions to further squeeze Moscow’s economy and finances.

The rare meeting underscored Washington’s willingness to reopen high-level diplomatic channels with Moscow, even as European allies have intended to keep the nation isolated while the war continues.

Bessent made it clear to Siluanov that “nothing is possible until the war is over,” when the Russian minister brought up other areas of mutual interest, Reuters reported.

The meeting centered on President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine and economic growth, according to Axios, while Russia’s finance ministry described the discussions as covering financial cooperation between the two nations within the G20 framework.

Russia’s surprise return to the table sparked dismay among European officials, who opposed appearing with Siluanov in the traditional G20 photo, which was ultimately taken without the Russian minister.

Technologies

Venezuela grants U.S.-backed oil firm NABEP 100-year concessions for 17 oil fields, White House says

Venezuelan interim authorities have granted North American Blue Energy Partners 100-year concessions for 17 oil fields, White House says.

Venezuelan interim authorities have granted U.S.-backed North American Blue Energy Partners, or NABEP, 100-year concessions for 17 oil fields, with proven reserves of about 65 billion barrels, the White House said on Monday.

NABEP is the second-largest private oil producer in Venezuela. The company has granted the U.S. Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital an equity stake of 35% in its corporate parent, according to the White House, representing up to “hundreds of billions in value and dividends for the United States.”

President Donald Trump announced Friday a deal with Caracas that would give the U.S. majority control over 65 billion barrels, or about 20% of the South American nation’s massive oil reserves. The U.S. had about 46 billion barrels in proven oil reserves as of end-2024, according to official figures.

In a fact sheet published Monday evening stateside, the U.S. government said it would enjoy the right to purchase, at production cost, a guaranteed 20% of the off-take from all current and future fields NABEP will operate, as part of an effort to facilitate refilling the U.S. strategic petroleum reserves.

The U.S. government also has the “right of first refusal” to purchase the remaining 80% of NABEP’s production, making Washington the prioritized buyer for its energy reserves.

Analysts, however, remained skeptical that the landmark oil deal could meaningfully boost the U.S. energy production and bring down gas prices for Americans in the near term. Huge investments are needed to extract the rich resources in Venezuela, whose oil output remains at a fraction of its capacity due to decades of mismanagement, lack of investment and sanctions.

NABEP also planned to invest up to $100 billion in new oil infrastructure in Venezuela to scale production, the White House said. Under the agreement, the company is expected to pay $200 billion in royalty and tax payments to Venezuelan governments over the first 25 years.

Technologies

Tanker hit in Strait of Hormuz, sparking escalation fears as Trump pledges severe response to Iran

A tanker was struck by three unidentified projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, raising concerns about a potential escalation in the Middle East conflict, as President Trump vowed a severe response to Iran.

A tanker was struck by three unidentified projectiles while navigating the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, raising concerns that the Middle East conflict could flare up again.

The vessel was traveling in the southern shipping lane near the Omani coast, according to a Tuesday statement from the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, posted in Asia time. No injuries were reported.

Iran launched an attack on two U.S. bases in Jordan on Monday in retaliation for America’s strike on its Larak Island. U.S. forces targeted two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, reportedly killing three, claiming that Tehran intended to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.

The small island, situated in the Strait of Hormuz, has been a critical military and shipping control point for Iranian forces, enabling them to maintain tight control over vessel traffic through one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.

The tit-for-tat hostilities marked the first time in over a month that the U.S. and Iran have exchanged strikes.

While neither side appears to be seeking a return to full-scale war, both have signaled readiness to respond to further attacks. “We are going to hit them hard,” President Donald Trump told Fox News on Monday, stating that “there will be a response” to Iran’s attacks on U.S. military bases in the region.

Analysts largely view the U.S. attack on Larak Island as an attempt to break a deadlock rather than a shift in strategy. “By targeting the launchers rather than broader Iranian military infrastructure, the U.S. seems to be punishing a specific behavior rather than, at least for now, expanding its war aims,” said Ali Vaez, deputy program director at International Crisis Group.

“It is enforcing the blockade,” said Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran, adding that the Trump administration’s goal is to further degrade Tehran’s ability to mine the Strait of Hormuz, while focusing on economic coercive measures as the midterm elections approach.

Washington has intensified pressure to squeeze Iran’s already weakened economy with “secondary sanctions” that penalize nations and businesses buying Iranian crude. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 finance ministers’ gathering, that Iran was “lashing out kinetically” because the new sanctions were taking a toll on its economy.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump reportedly said that Iran’s financial systems, armed forces, and governing body have largely degraded. “It doesn’t mean we won’t smack them to see what happens,” the president said.

The war, now entering its seventh month, has disrupted global energy supplies and sent shockwaves through global financial markets. International oil benchmark Brent surged past $90 a barrel amid renewed hostilities and last traded at $91.08 on Tuesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures added less than 1% to $86.65 per barrel.

“This is fundamentally an endurance contest,” said Brodsky, as Trump has demonstrated an “unpredictability” that should concern the Iranians, and Tehran may lash out more aggressively militarily as economic pressure mounts.