Apple Watch Series 2 Teardown Shows Larger Battery and Swimproof Design - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Watch Series 2 Teardown Shows Larger Battery and Swimproof Design

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.

apple-watch-series-2-teardown
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.

apple-watch-series-2-teardown-full
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.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Released Yet Another New Product Today

Friday March 20, 2026 2:39 pm PDT by
Apple has unveiled a whopping nine new products so far this March, including an iPhone 17e, iPad Air models with the M4 chip, MacBook Air models with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the all-new MacBook Neo, an updated Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, AirPods Max 2, and now the Nike Powerbeats Pro 2. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Wednesday March 18, 2026 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component...
ios 26 4 pastel

iOS 26.4: Top 10 New Features Coming to Your iPhone

Friday March 20, 2026 2:44 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 isn't the major update with new Siri features that we hoped for, but there are some useful quality of life improvements, and a little bit of fun with an AI playlist generator and new emoji characters. Playlist Playground - Apple Music has a Playlist Playground option that lets you generate playlists from text-based descriptions. You can include moods, feelings, activities, or...

Top Rated Comments

124 months ago
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.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
124 months ago
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.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ghost31 Avatar
124 months ago
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?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
124 months ago
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.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
124 months ago
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.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smacrumon Avatar
124 months ago
With the lack of new hardware in the mac range, this Apple Watch is quite interesting.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: Ipad | Buyers Guide | Education | Sport | South Africa