The OnePlus Watch 2R is a new affordable smartwatch from OnePlus. At a price of just Rs. 17,999, it offers a lot of features: an identical hardware experience to its pricier sibling the Watch 2, a long-lasting battery, and a classic, elegant design. OnePlus has taken some risks with the Watch 2R, but this budget-friendly approach to its first "R" branded smartwatch just might make it the more attractive choice for many users. Let’s dive into what makes the OnePlus Watch 2R such a compelling option in the smartwatch market.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review Design and Specifications: Top Notch Stuff
The OnePlus Watch 2R is a departure from the modern design of its predecessor. This new smartwatch embraces a vintage aesthetic, featuring a brushed aluminum case and a traditional chronograph watch look. Instead of the confusing mix of classic and modern design elements seen on the Watch 2, the Watch 2R has a more cohesive and balanced appearance. Its design is less jarring and more comfortable to wear on the left hand, with the two buttons on the right-hand side (when worn on the left hand) facing the left, which is natural for using the interface.
Here’s a quick overview of some key specs:
- Case size: 46mm
- Case material: Aluminum
- Durability: IP68 (up to 5ATM)
While the OnePlus Watch 2 boasts a stainless steel case, the Watch 2R employs aluminum, which makes it noticeably lighter at 59 grams (with the strap) compared to the Watch 2’s 80 grams. This weight difference is a significant advantage for those who prefer a less substantial feel on their wrist. However, the aluminum case also means that the Watch 2R lacks the sapphire crystal glass found on the Watch 2, opting instead for Panda glass, which is more susceptible to scratches.
OnePlus has made other design refinements:
- Rounded buttons: The two rounded buttons are easier to press and identify.
- Thicker lugs: The thicker lugs offer a cleaner fit for straps.
- New straps: The straps have a nice texture and offer a clean fit.
One potential drawback is the lack of a smaller 44mm case size, which could be preferable for individuals with smaller wrists.
The Watch 2R retains the magnetic charging mechanism of the Watch 2, which is practical and ensures a secure connection to the charging dock. However, the exposed flat metal pins on the back case could potentially cause skin allergies in some users.
Despite the transition to an aluminum case, the OnePlus Watch 2R maintains a solid IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and can withstand up to 5 ATM of water pressure.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review Display: Large and Clear
For its display, the OnePlus Watch 2R follows in the footsteps of the Watch 2, featuring a 1.43-inch AMOLED display. However, OnePlus has made an interesting change by opting for flat Panda display glass instead of curved glass, with numbers imprinted near its edge. This choice gives the Watch 2R’s bezel a slimmer appearance, even though the actual thickness remains the same as the Watch 2. While the bezel does appear slimmer, it’s still significantly thicker when compared to the Galaxy Watch 6.
The OnePlus Watch 2R’s display offers:
- Type: AMOLED
- Resolution: 466 x 466
- Protection: 2D Panda glass
The display’s brightness is impressive, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The sharpness of text and icons is also commendable, delivering a clear and crisp viewing experience. The always-on display (AOD) feature has been refined, making the Watch 2R’s AOD noticeably brighter and more functional for quickly viewing information on compatible watch faces.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review Software and Companion App: Easy Peasy
The OnePlus Watch 2R leverages the power of Wear OS 4 (Android 13) in tandem with OnePlus’ RTOS, delivering a smooth and user-friendly experience. This unique dual-operating system architecture provides a combination of power and efficiency, seamlessly switching between systems depending on tasks.
The Watch 2R’s software setup includes:
- Companion app platforms: Android
- Watch software: Wear OS 4 (Android 13) + RTOS
To use the OnePlus Watch 2R, you’ll need to download Oppo’s OHealth companion app from the Google Play Store. This app is designed for Android devices and displays information and settings in a clear and organized fashion.
One of the strengths of the OHealth companion app is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to navigate and access various settings. Unlike some other companion apps, the settings aren’t buried too deep, making customizing the watch experience much simpler. The setup process is quick and easy, especially for OnePlus and Oppo users who already have accounts.
OHealth’s companion app also includes:
- Easy syncing with other health tracking platforms like Google Fit, Google Health Connect, and Strava.
This means users can seamlessly transfer their health data to different ecosystems and platforms, providing flexibility and freedom for those who choose to change their wearable ecosystem.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review Performance: Great for its price
The OnePlus Watch 2R incorporates a powerful hardware configuration, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 and BES2700 processors. It also offers an ample 2GB of RAM and 32GB of ROM, ensuring smooth performance across different tasks.
Key performance specs:
- Processors: Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 + BES2700
- RAM: 2GB
- Storage: 32GB ROM
With the seamless integration of Wear OS 4 and RTOS, the user experience is fluid and responsive. Notably, software bugs identified in the Watch 2 have been addressed in the Watch 2R, delivering a more polished and bug-free software experience.
Bluetooth calling delivers clear and consistent audio quality, even in breezy environments, but the speaker volume is on the softer side. For optimal audio clarity, users might want to consider pairing the Watch 2R with a set of TWS earphones.
The OnePlus Watch 2R features the same suite of health sensors as the Watch 2, providing accurate readings for SpO2 and heart rate monitoring. The smartwatch’s GPS tracker performs accurately, even in environments with obstacles like trees and buildings, providing reliable location data for fitness tracking.
OnePlus Watch 2R Review Battery: Easily the Best
OnePlus’ unique dual-engine architecture ensures impressive battery life, reaching up to 7 days under normal use with a fully charged battery. The Watch 2R supports both Smart Mode (which incorporates both Wear OS 4 and RTOS) and Power Saver Mode (using only RTOS).
Here’s a breakdown of the battery performance:
- Battery capacity: 500mAh
- Charging rate: 7.5W
- Charging adapter: Magnetic (4-pin)
In smart mode, with AOD and SpO2 monitoring disabled and daily sleep tracking enabled, battery life can last up to 7 days. The addition of a 5km GPS-connected walk each day drops battery life to 2.5 days. This performance is impressive and rivals the battery life of the Watch 2.
With Power Saver Mode, OnePlus claims a battery life of up to 12 days, allowing users to still utilize health and fitness tracking features. Power Saver Mode makes the Watch 2R an exceptional value proposition, allowing for an extended usage experience even with a battery-intensive approach.
The OnePlus Watch 2R charges quickly using the included magnetic charging dock and a 100W SuperVOOC charger (not included in the box). The fast charging capability allows for an 87 percent charge in just 30 minutes and a full charge in 46 minutes.
OnePlus’ magnetic charging dock is a user-friendly design that holds the watch securely during charging. The dock’s Type-C charging port makes it compatible with any Type-C cable, which makes it very practical, especially when traveling.
OnePlus Watch 2R Verdict: A Solid Value Proposition
The OnePlus Watch 2R is a compelling smartwatch that offers a blend of robust performance, a classic design, and an excellent battery life at a very attractive price point.
Key takeaways regarding the OnePlus Watch 2R:
- Strong performance: Delivers a smooth and reliable performance thanks to its dual-operating system architecture, ample RAM, and storage.
- Classic design: Offers a vintage aesthetic that is less jarring and more comfortable to wear than the Watch 2.
- Excellent battery life: Provides impressive battery life that can last up to 7 days in Smart Mode and up to 12 days in Power Saver Mode.
- Value-for-money: Offers excellent performance and features at an attractive price point.
While the Watch 2R does sacrifice some features of the more expensive Watch 2, like a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal glass, the performance and battery life improvements make it a far more attractive option for many users.
In a market heavily populated by Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series, the OnePlus Watch 2R stands out as a compelling alternative, offering a compelling blend of price and performance.
