How bad is it to shut of the optimization? I generally want to charge to 100% and find it irritating that it stops at 88%, etc. Are we talking weeks/months off the battery life or years? My old Apple watch didn't have use optimization and lasted a very long time.
If your Apple Watch plenty of juice left over when you typically put it on the charger, and starting at 80% does not cause a severe battery drainage, then as long as you have that kind of battery life, it will benefit your battery's overall life.
If you DO NOT abuse your battery. By abuse, I mean regularly drain it to zero (which is the worst thing you can do to a Li-Ion battery). Anyway, if no do not abuse your battery, put it on the charger every day, then it can last for years.
I have a Series 4 that is 5 1/2 years old. It still has 90% of its original capacity, and except if I have it tracking exercise for longer than 2 hours, lasts the entire day, and has charge left over. At 90% of original capacity, it is getting close to the point where I either get a new Apple Watch or replace the battery.
This was all BEFORE Optimized charging was an option. So my good behavior got me 5 1/2 years so far. With Optimized charging from the beginning I would most likely have greater than 90% of original capacity.
Apple Watch Optimized Charging - How Important?
