I just did another run and again my Apple Watch incorrectly calculated running distances. After running exactly one mile, I look down and my Series 7 watch shows only .92 miles. Ugh.
Inaccurate readings have now occurred several times. I've also spent months doing exactly the same 2 mile circuit and been getting different results.
I love my Apple watch, but really it has to be more accurate.
Well, GPS is non-trivial. If in an area with radio reflective objects that affects the GPS signals (tall buildings for example). This can cause drop outs, and false readings because of signal delays caused by reflections.
GPS accuracy is maybe 10 meters. If your run has lots of turns, GPS route calculations may end up cutting corners. Also GPS samples are not continuous (battery would die quickly if it was), so when a sample was taken and if you made turns between samples, that could affect the route calculated.
The non-Ultra Apple Watch uses a single GPS radio signal. The Apple Watch Ultra uses an additional GPS radio signal, and gets better accuracy.
If you have your iPhone with you, then the Apple Watch actually uses your iPhones GPS which is even more accurate.
If you have calibrated your standard run as always reporting 8% off, then when you make notes to yourself about your runs, just
Apple Watch GPS Accuracy Issues - Running Distances
