A First Look at the OnePlus Watch: Is It a Worthy Contender in the Smartwatch Arena?
The OnePlus Watch, the company’s first foray into the smartwatch market, has generated considerable buzz among Android users, especially those seeking a smartwatch with SpO2 tracking – a feature that’s become increasingly important in these times. However, the watch’s biggest surprise for many was the absence of Google’s WearOS, despite widespread expectations. This raises a critical question: Does the OnePlus Watch stand a chance against the competition, and is it the right choice for you? Let’s dive into this comprehensive review to uncover the answers.
OnePlus Watch Price in India
The OnePlus Watch is currently priced at Rs. 14,999 in India. OnePlus has also announced a OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition, expected to carry a higher price tag, but specific details about its launch date and price remain undisclosed. While the internals of both variants are identical, they boast distinct exterior features, which we’ll explore later.
OnePlus Watch Design – A Classic Circular Look
Smartwatches often sport two distinct dial shapes: square or circular. While the square, or "squircle" shape, has gained widespread popularity with the Apple Watch, many prefer the circular dial for its resemblance to traditional watches. OnePlus has opted for a circular dial, resulting in a 46mm watch face housed in a stainless steel case. The case exudes a premium feel and is available in Midnight Black and Moonlight Silver finishes.
The OnePlus Watch boasts a 1.39-inch AMOLED display with thin bezels, making them virtually invisible on the Midnight Black model. A 2.5D curved glass protects the display, slightly protruding from the case’s rim. The overall design is clean and uncluttered, with two buttons strategically positioned on the right side. The top button features the OnePlus logo, while the other is plain.
The Underside – Sensors and Charging
Flipping the OnePlus Watch over reveals a plastic underside that houses various sensors and charging contacts. A speaker port is situated on the left side, while a microphone hole is positioned on the right. The case lugs extend outwards and are compatible with all standard 22mm straps. OnePlus includes a high-quality fluoroelastomer strap with the standard model, which I wore for over two weeks without experiencing any skin irritation. These straps utilize a pin and tuck design similar to the Apple Watch, proving convenient and secure. You can effortlessly remove the strap without tools and replace it with any 22mm strap of your preference.
Size and Weight Considerations
The OnePlus Watch itself, even without a strap, weighs approximately 45gms, which is undeniably noticeable when worn. OnePlus offers only a single 46mm dial size, which might appear bulky on smaller wrists. The watch’s thickness could also lead to accidental bumps against objects during everyday activities. I did experience a few such incidents during my review, but thankfully, the watch remained unscratched.
The OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition
For those seeking superior build quality, the OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition presents a compelling option. This variant features a case crafted from Cobalt alloy instead of stainless steel, finished in a gold hue. It also boasts sapphire glass protecting the display, providing enhanced scratch resistance. OnePlus generously bundles two straps with the Cobalt Limited Edition: a fluoroelastomer strap similar to the standard edition and an extra vegan leather strap with a butterfly buckle.
OnePlus Watch Charging – Warp Speed Charging
The OnePlus Watch utilizes a charger with pogo pins to replenish its 402mAh battery. Staying true to OnePlus’s reputation for fast charging, this watch also incorporates fast charging capabilities. The OnePlus Watch is also IP68 rated for dust and water resistance and can withstand up to 5ATM of pressure, adding further practicality.
OnePlus Watch Specifications and Software
Initial leaks surrounding the OnePlus Watch hinted at a Google WearOS operating system and the inclusion of a Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor. However, the reality diverges from expectations. The OnePlus Watch runs a custom Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) instead of WearOS. Intriguingly, the watch houses three discrete processors, each dedicated to a specific function. According to a OnePlus forum post by a Product Manager, the OnePlus Watch employs a combination of ST32, Apollo 3, and Cypress chips. These chips respectively control display functionality, low-power usage, and communications.
Features and Connectivity
The OnePlus Watch is equipped with an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, barometer, blood oxygen sensor, and heart rate sensor. The watch also supports Bluetooth 5, NFC, and four satellite navigation systems. With 4GB of storage, you can store a few audio tracks for offline listening. Pairing the watch with Bluetooth headphones allows you to leave your smartphone behind during runs or workouts.
Compatibility and App Requirements
The OnePlus Watch is compatible with Android smartphones running Android 6.0 and above. However, iPhone support is currently unavailable, which could limit its potential user base. Setting up the smartwatch requires the OnePlus Health App. I found the smartphone pairing process remarkably straightforward. Once connected, the OnePlus Watch consistently maintained a connection unless my smartphone was outside range.
OnePlus Health App: Your Fitness Hub
The OnePlus Health App serves as your central dashboard for all fitness data and allows you to adjust certain device settings. Through the app, you can also change watch faces and download new ones, choosing between digital or analog designs. Curiously, I couldn’t set a digital watch face in the 12-hour format; only the 24-hour time format was accessible. You can even create custom watch faces using your own photos. The app is necessary for transferring songs from your smartphone to the OnePlus Watch.
OnePlus Watch Performance and Battery Life
Navigating through the OnePlus Watch’s simple UI is intuitive and hassle-free. Swiping up from the watch face displays pending notifications, while a swipe down reveals quick toggles. You can also tap and hold on the watch face to change it. While I found reading notifications on the watch effortless, replying was limited to predefined quick reply templates, which proved less than ideal.
Always-On Display
The OnePlus Watch initially lacked an Always-On Display (AOD) feature, but this functionality was introduced via a software update shortly after its launch. You can enable this feature from the watch itself and select from four different always-on faces. The OnePlus Watch also incorporates an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust screen brightness.
Power Saving Modes
I discovered the OnePlus Watch’s power-saving mode to be quite aggressive. The screen would quickly turn off after I finished glancing at it. Similarly, the auto-brightness adjustment was also quite aggressive, and the default brightness setting was somewhat low. Thankfully, you can manually increase the brightness level, which I opted to do.
OnePlus Watch Health and Fitness Tracking
The OnePlus Watch is capable of tracking workouts, heart rate, stress, SpO2, and sleep. I extensively tested the watch for almost a month to evaluate its performance.
Heart Rate Tracking
To assess the accuracy of the heart rate sensor, I compared its readings against those of an Apple Watch SE. I observed that the heart rate readings were virtually identical on both devices for most situations. However, heart rate tracking accuracy was inconsistent during workouts.
Step Tracking Accuracy
To test step tracking accuracy, I intentionally walked 1,000 steps, but the OnePlus Watch undercounted this by 70 steps, registering 930 steps. I also wore the OnePlus Watch alongside the Apple Watch SE for a full day to track my total activity. The Apple Watch measured 2,056 steps, while the OnePlus Watch recorded 1,532 steps on the same day, highlighting a significant discrepancy.
SpO2 Tracking Accuracy
For SpO2 tracking, I compared the OnePlus Watch with a Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, obtaining consistent results. My SpO2 readings typically ranged between 96% and 98%, falling within the normal range for a healthy individual.
Sleep Tracking
Sleep tracking on the OnePlus Watch proved accurate and aligned with the readings from the Apple Watch SE. The OnePlus Health app provides a detailed breakdown of Deep sleep, Light Sleep, and Awake durations. It also includes information about the ideal duration for each sleeping phase. Another valuable feature is SpO2 tracking during sleep. This feature is disabled by default due to its battery-intensive nature. When enabled, the app displays the lowest SpO2 level recorded during sleep, which was 90% (Normal) in my case.
Call Functionality
The OnePlus Watch has a built-in speaker and microphone, enabling you to make and receive calls directly from the watch. The speaker volume is sufficient if you hold the watch to your ear. However, my callers mentioned that I sounded slightly distant.
OnePlus Watch Battery Life and Charging
Battery life on the OnePlus Watch was remarkably impressive, lasting approximately 12 days on a single charge. This was with WhatsApp notifications enabled and indoor workouts tracked. If you don’t track workouts frequently and primarily use the OnePlus Watch for notifications, you should be able to attain the promised two-week battery life. Battery life will naturally fluctuate if you actively monitor SpO2 levels and heart rate frequently. Enabling the always-on display reduced battery life by about half with the same usage patterns. Furthermore, activating SpO2 tracking during sleep will further decrease battery life.
Fast Charging
OnePlus’s signature Warp Charge technology is present in the OnePlus Watch. The watch reached 20% in just five minutes, which is arguably sufficient for a full day of use with my typical usage patterns. Charging to 55% took 20 minutes, and a complete charge took 53 minutes. The combination of fast charging and extended battery life ensures that you won’t need to worry about running out of power on the OnePlus Watch.
Verdict: A Smart Notifier Rather Than a True Smartwatch
The OnePlus Watch was a highly anticipated release, but it ultimately turned out to be a bit of a letdown. The lack of WearOS means you miss out on Google’s ecosystem and a vast collection of apps. The functionality is limited compared to a true smartwatch, making it feel more like a smart notifier rather than a comprehensive smartwatch. However, its strong points include good battery life, accurate sleep tracking, and SpO2 tracking. Unfortunately, step tracking and heart rate tracking during workouts were inconsistent.
If you’re in the market for a smartwatch to track fitness, the Amazfit GTR 2e might be a better and even more affordable alternative. Alternatively, if you prefer a smartwatch running Google’s Wear OS, then the Oppo Watch 46mm is also a worthy contender. Ultimately, the OnePlus Watch is a decent option for those seeking a smartwatch with excellent battery life and solid health tracking capabilities, but its limitations in terms of app support and inconsistent fitness tracking might turn some users away.
