OnePlus Watch 2R Review: The Affordable Wear OS Smartwatch That Doesn’t Compromise
OnePlus has taken a bold step with the release of its OnePlus Watch 2R, offering a "lite" version of the impressive Watch 2, but at a significantly lower price point. While the Watch 2 boasts premium materials and features, the Watch 2R surprisingly maintains many of the core strengths, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers. In this in-depth review, we’ll delve into the design, performance, software, and battery life of the OnePlus Watch 2R, uncovering whether it truly delivers on its promise of affordability without sacrificing quality.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review: Design and Specifications: A Vintage Charm
The most noticeable change in the Watch 2R is its design. OnePlus has swapped the Watch 2’s modern aesthetic for a more vintage look with a brushed aluminum case. This change gives the watch a clean and timeless feel, less cluttered than the Watch 2’s somewhat jarring combination of classic and modern elements.
Here are the key specs:
- Case size: 46mm
- Case material: Aluminum
- Durability: IP68 (up to 5ATM)
The Watch 2R’s design is simpler and more balanced, featuring two traditional pushers (buttons) on the right side. This design allows for comfortable wearing on the left hand, with the buttons facing the left, unlike the Watch 2 which felt slightly awkward in this configuration.
While the Watch 2R ditches the stainless steel case for aluminum, it remains impressively light at 59 grams (with the straps), significantly lighter than the Watch 2’s 80 grams. However, this weight reduction comes at the cost of durability, as the Watch 2R’s Panda glass display is susceptible to scratches, unlike the Watch 2’s more robust sapphire crystal glass.
The silicone strap on the Watch 2R provides a comfortable and secure fit, and the stainless steel pin buckle clasp ensures a clean and polished appearance.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review: Display: Large and Clear, Though Bezel Remains a Concern
The Watch 2R retains the same 1.43-inch AMOLED display as the Watch 2, offering a crisp 466 x 466 pixel resolution. However, as mentioned earlier, the display is now protected by 2D Panda glass, which, although prone to scratches, offers a noticeably thinner bezel compared to the Watch 2.
Even with the thinner bezel, it’s still significantly thicker than the bezels found on the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, making it a noticeable tradeoff.
The display boasts excellent brightness, making it easy to read even in direct sunlight.
The always-on display feature is notably brighter than in the Watch 2, ensuring that glanceable information can be easily read when the watch is in AOD mode.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review: Software and Companion App: A Smooth and Intuitive Experience
OnePlus utilizes Oppo’s OHealth companion app for managing the Watch 2R, available exclusively for Android devices. The app features a well-designed and intuitive interface with easy access to essential features and customization options.
One of the highlights of the OHealth app is its lack of buried settings, making it easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for. The setup process is also exceptionally quick and straightforward, especially for users with existing OnePlus/Oppo accounts.
The Wear OS 4 operating system, combined with OnePlus’ Dual-Engine architecture, seamlessly switches between the RTOS (Real-Time Operating System) for basic features and fitness tracking and Wear OS 4 for third-party apps and advanced features. This hybrid approach effectively balances performance and battery life, a key advantage of the Watch 2R.
While the dual-engine architecture is effective, it does lead to some inconsistencies in fonts and visual styles across the watch interface. However, the overall theme and iconography maintain a cohesive look across both operating systems.
Watch faces remain a sticking point, with the Watch 2R only offering a limited selection of customizable faces through the app. Compared to the extensive and often creative choices available on competitors like Samsung and Apple, the Watch 2R’s options feel dated and lackluster.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review: Performance: Powerfully Priced
The Watch 2R utilizes the same internal hardware as the Watch 2, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 + BES2700 processors and 2GB of RAM. This potent combination results in smooth performance with no noticeable lag, even when juggling various functions and apps.
The Watch 2R delivers reliable Bluetooth calling functionality, offering clear audio quality for both the caller and the wearer. The speaker, however, could benefit from increased volume, requiring the user to hold the watch close to their ear to hear clearly.
The Watch 2R inherits the same health sensors as the Watch 2, offering accurate SpO2 readings (compared to standalone pulse oximeters) and reliable heart rate monitoring. The GPS tracker performs admirably during walks, maintaining accurate readings even in challenging environments with multiple buildings and trees.
Like the Watch 2, the Watch 2R efficiently tracks short naps, delivering accurate data and providing detailed sleep reports with insights into sleep stages. The companion app also offers suggestions for improving sleep quality based on your data.
Stress level readings were not tested in this review, but users have reported that the readings align fairly well with their perceived emotional states.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review: Battery: The Clear Winner
OnePlus’ Dual-Engine architecture plays a significant role in the Watch 2R’s exceptional battery life.
- Battery capacity: 500mAh
- Charging rate: 7.5W
- Charging adapter: Magnetic (4-pin)
The Watch 2R effortlessly delivers 7 days of battery life with AOD and SpO2 monitoring disabled, as well as daily sleep tracking with notifications enabled. Including one 5km GPS-connected walk per day, the battery life dropped to 2.5 days, still comparable to the Watch 2 and significantly longer than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.
OnePlus claims up to 12 days of battery life in its Power Saver mode, which allows for access to all health and fitness tracking features, making it a compelling option for users who prioritize extended battery life.
The magnetic charging dock remains a hallmark feature, providing a secure and efficient charging experience. The included USB-C to USB-A cable allows for compatibility with any Type-C charger, adding to the practicality of the charging system. While many smartwatches offer fast charging, OnePlus’ commitment to super fast charging, even in an affordable model, is a significant advantage.
OnePlus Watch 2R Verdict: An Affordable Wear OS Champion
The OnePlus Watch 2R stands as a strong contender in the affordable smartwatches market. While it sacrifices some of the premium features and materials found in the Watch 2, it manages to deliver a surprisingly robust and long-lasting experience thanks to its powerful hardware, thoughtful software, and exceptional battery life. This is especially impressive considering its attractive price point.
The vintage design, though subjective, offers a clean and timeless aesthetic, and the overall performance is smooth and reliable.
The lack of cellular connectivity, blood pressure monitoring, and BMI measurements may be a dealbreaker for some users, but for those seeking a Wear OS smartwatch with a long battery life, accurate health tracking, and a comfortable design, the OnePlus Watch 2R presents a compelling option.
The price difference between the OnePlus Watch 2R and the original Watch 2 allows for a clearer decision based on individual priorities. The Watch 2 still offers a more premium build quality with sapphire crystal glass and stainless steel case, catering to users seeking higher durability. However, the Watch 2R’s exceptional performance, long battery life, and affordability make it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users who aren’t willing to compromise on essential smartwatch functionality.
