It’s always intriguing to see a company evolve and learn from its past mistakes. Four years ago, OnePlus made its first attempt to break into the wearables market with the original OnePlus Watch. While the first generation of the watch boasted impressive battery life, its functionality was severely lacking. It seemed like a gadget with potential, but the smart features were practically unusable. Fast forward to 2024, and the brand clearly paid attention to feedback from that launch. With the back-to-back release of the OnePlus Watch 2 and Watch 2R, it became evident that OnePlus was refining its approach.
Now, the OnePlus Watch 3 represents the result of these iterative efforts. It’s a product that blends the positive aspects of its predecessors while making key improvements. The question is whether this is the smartwatch that will convince people to switch from other options, like the Pixel Watch, or if it will still fall short. For many Android users, however, the OnePlus Watch 3 could very well be the multi-day wearable they’ve been waiting for.
OnePlus Watch 3
At first glance, the OnePlus Watch 3 may feel a bit too large for some users, but for those who can embrace its size, the standout feature here is its incredible battery life. And, the rest of the smartwatch experience isn’t half bad either.
Pros & Cons
- Exceptional battery life for a Wear OS device.
- Vibrant, large display.
- The rotating crown now has a functional purpose.
- Robust health and fitness tracking features.
- OHealth app can be a bit overwhelming to navigate.
- No LTE or smaller model available (at least for now).
- The update policy could be better compared to its competitors.
- Its size might make it uncomfortable to wear at night.
Price, Availability, and Specifications
After a minor delay due to a typo on the back of the device, the OnePlus Watch 3 is now available for purchase directly from OnePlus. It comes in two color options: Emerald Titanium (a silver watch with a green band) and Obsidian Titanium (dark silver with a black band).
Pricing for the OnePlus Watch 3 is a bit tricky. Initially, the watch was slated for a price of $330, along with a temporary $30 discount. However, following its re-launch, the price has increased to $500, though the $30 discount still applies. This represents a 52% price hike, and while OnePlus hasn’t specified the reason for the increase, the ongoing trade war between the US and China likely plays a role.
What’s Great About the OnePlus Watch 3?
The OnePlus Watch 3’s design may not be for everyone, especially those who prefer smaller or more subtle wearables, but for those who enjoy a larger, more substantial smartwatch, this is a solid option. The design keeps the familiar elements from its predecessors but incorporates subtle improvements. The watch is slightly thinner, though still on the bulky side, and its weight remains largely unchanged. The display has been increased by about a tenth of an inch, and the surrounding bezel has been replaced with a more traditional seconds-based frame.
Despite its size, the OnePlus Watch 3 is surprisingly comfortable on the wrist. Its round face and distinctive protruding flat edge make it visually unique, though it might not appeal to everyone. If you like large smartwatches, this one might just be the right fit for you.
A key design improvement in this model is the now functional rotating crown. Previously, the crown on the earlier models was purely decorative, offering no real functionality other than being a fidget spinner. With the Watch 3, however, the crown now works in tandem with Wear OS, allowing for more intuitive control.
The Watch 3 shines in terms of display quality. The 1.5-inch screen is bright and vibrant in both indoor and outdoor environments, ensuring excellent visibility regardless of lighting. The device runs Wear OS 5, enhanced with OnePlus’s own RTOS, which was first introduced with the Watch 2 last year. The RTOS helps extend battery life, and based on my experience with previous OnePlus watches, this feature really makes a noticeable difference.
While Wear OS is fine and functional, it’s not a revolutionary platform. The customizations OnePlus made to the software don’t drastically change the experience, but there are some new preloaded watch faces to choose from. Of course, the Play Store allows for more customization, meaning you can find watch faces to suit your personal taste.
On the fitness-tracking front, the OnePlus Watch 3 delivers fairly accurate readings. For example, heart rate measurements matched those from larger gym equipment, and step tracking is generally consistent, though not always perfect. It performed well on both indoor and outdoor runs, and during treadmill use, the Watch 3 provided more accurate distance tracking compared to the Apple Watch on my other wrist. Unlike the Apple Watch, you can also adjust the treadmill distance if it’s off. The lack of an LTE connection did affect my experience a little, but overall, the watch performed well.
The OHealth app isn’t the most visually appealing, but it offers useful metrics like average ground contact time, helping you improve your fitness. However, the app’s interface can feel a bit cluttered, as it combines both fitness tracking and settings in one place, which can be overwhelming at times.
But the true standout feature of the OnePlus Watch 3 is its battery life. Despite using the always-on display mode, which typically reduces battery longevity, I easily got five full days of use, including fitness tracking but excluding sleep monitoring. That’s an impressive feat, especially for a device of this size. If you need even more battery life, OnePlus also includes an extreme battery saver mode that disables most smart features, allowing the watch to last up to an entire month. For outdoor enthusiasts, this feature is especially appealing. The charger is also a highlight: it’s compact, using a USB-C connection, which means you don’t need to pack a bulky charging cable. Recharging the device from 0 to 100% takes about an hour.
Is the OnePlus Watch 3 Too Big?
Let’s address the obvious: the OnePlus Watch 3 is large. While this isn’t necessarily a negative for everyone, if you have smaller wrists, it may feel uncomfortable or look too bulky. For comparison, the Watch 3 is about 7mm larger than the 41mm Pixel Watch and only slightly larger than the 45mm Pixel Watch 3. If you’re used to the size of the Galaxy Watch Ultra, the OnePlus Watch 3 is narrower and thinner but still similar in overall size.
The larger size brings advantages, like the big screen and extended battery life, which smaller watches can’t offer. However, this also means the watch might appeal more to men, as its size doesn’t provide the same gender-neutral feel found in devices like the Pixel Watch 3 or Galaxy Watch 7. Additionally, wearing the Watch 3 to bed is uncomfortable for many users. Personally, as someone who’s already skeptical about sleep tracking, adding a large device on my wrist only made things worse.
OnePlus has mentioned the possibility of a smaller version and an LTE model in the future, but neither of these options is available at launch. An LTE model would be a welcome addition, as cellular connectivity makes it easier to leave your phone behind, whether for a short run or a phone-free evening.
Lacking a Subscription Fitness Service
While OnePlus doesn’t offer subscription-based fitness services like Apple Fitness+ or Fitbit Premium, it’s not surprising given the high cost of maintaining such services. However, it’s worth noting that OHealth doesn’t include any such programs, unlike some of its competitors. On the plus side, there are no features locked behind a paywall.
The OHealth App and Update Policy
OHealth, while functional, can be difficult to navigate. It combines fitness tracking and settings into one app, which can feel cluttered. If you’re looking for specific metrics, they’re usually there, but you might have to dig to find them.
At launch, OnePlus’s update policy was confusing, with the Watch 3 initially promised only two years of software updates. Thankfully, this has been clarified: the device will receive two OS upgrades and three years of bi-monthly patches. However, this is still less impressive compared to competitors like Samsung and Google, which offer more robust update plans. The OnePlus Watch 2 has yet to receive its promised Wear OS 5 update, indicating that OnePlus still has room for improvement in terms of long-term support.
Should You Buy the OnePlus Watch 3?
While the OnePlus Watch 3 won’t be for everyone, it’s an excellent option for those who want a larger Wear OS device or prioritize superior battery life. Its battery performance is unparalleled, outshining other smartwatches in terms of longevity, and it’s certainly among the best in this regard. The fitness tracking is competitive, the design is distinctive, and issues from previous OnePlus smartwatches have been addressed.
That being said, the price increase to $500 is a tough pill to swallow. At its original price of $330, it would have been a much easier sell. But even at the higher price point, those who have been eagerly awaiting this device since its unveiling will likely still find it appealing. Whether the price will drop remains uncertain, but for now, it’s clear that the OnePlus Watch 3 offers a refreshing alternative to the current smartwatch market.