OnePlus, a brand well-known for its high-quality smartphones, ventured into the wearable market with the launch of the OnePlus Watch. This smartwatch is designed to integrate seamlessly with the OnePlus ecosystem while offering a competitive blend of features, design, and performance. In this article, we take an in-depth look at the OnePlus Watch, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and how it stacks up against other smartwatches in the market.
Contents
Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus Watch is a testament to the brand’s commitment to design excellence. It features a sleek, minimalist design that is both elegant and functional. The watch has a 46mm circular dial made of stainless steel, giving it a premium look and feel. The 2.5D curved glass adds to the aesthetics, making the watch look sophisticated while also providing a smooth touch experience. The body is available in two finishes: Classic Silver and Midnight Black, allowing users to choose a style that suits their preferences.
The watch comes with a fluoroelastomer strap, which is comfortable to wear for extended periods. The strap is interchangeable, providing users with the flexibility to switch to other materials like leather or metal, depending on their style. The OnePlus Watch is also water-resistant with an IP68 rating and can withstand pressures up to 5ATM, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.
Display
The OnePlus Watch features a 1.39-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. The display is vibrant, with deep blacks and rich colors, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. The touch response is smooth, and the display is adequately bright, even under direct sunlight. The Always-On Display feature, though power-hungry, adds convenience, allowing users to glance at the time without having to wake the device.
One of the standout features of the OnePlus Watch is its customizable watch faces. Users can choose from a wide range of watch faces, each offering different designs and functionalities. Additionally, users can create their own watch faces using photos or other images, adding a personal touch to their smartwatch.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the OnePlus Watch is powered by a dual-core processor, paired with 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. While these specifications might seem modest compared to some high-end smartwatches, the OnePlus Watch is optimized to deliver smooth performance across its various functions. Whether you’re tracking a workout, receiving notifications, or controlling music, the watch handles tasks efficiently without noticeable lag.
The watch runs on OnePlus’s proprietary RTOS (Real-Time Operating System), which is lightweight and optimized for battery efficiency. The RTOS is designed to provide a smooth user experience, with quick app launches and responsive interactions. However, it’s worth noting that the OS does not support third-party apps, which may be a drawback for users looking for extensive app integration.
Health and Fitness Tracking
The OnePlus Watch is equipped with a comprehensive set of health and fitness tracking features, making it a suitable companion for active individuals. The watch offers over 110 workout modes, ranging from running and cycling to swimming and yoga. It also has built-in GPS, allowing users to track outdoor activities without needing to carry their phone.
One of the key health features is the SpO2 sensor, which measures blood oxygen levels—a crucial metric for understanding overall health, especially during intense workouts or high-altitude activities. The watch also includes a heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, and stress monitor, providing users with a holistic view of their health.
The OnePlus Watch supports automatic workout detection, which can identify and start tracking certain activities like running or walking without requiring manual input. This feature is particularly useful for those who may forget to start tracking their workouts manually. Additionally, the watch provides detailed insights into your fitness progress, including VO2 max, calorie burn, and workout intensity.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the standout features of the OnePlus Watch is its impressive battery life. The watch is powered by a 402mAh battery, which OnePlus claims can last up to two weeks on a single charge with typical usage. Even with heavy usage, including continuous heart rate monitoring and frequent GPS use, the watch can last around a week, which is significantly better than many competitors in the same price range.
The watch supports Warp Charge, OnePlus’s fast-charging technology, which can provide a week’s worth of battery life with just 20 minutes of charging. This makes the watch incredibly convenient for users who are always on the go and don’t want to worry about frequent charging.
Smart Features and Connectivity
As a smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch offers a range of smart features that enhance its utility beyond fitness tracking. The watch can receive and respond to notifications, control music playback, and even make and answer calls when paired with a compatible smartphone. It also offers remote camera control, which is handy for taking photos from a distance using your smartphone.
The watch integrates seamlessly with OnePlus smartphones, but it is also compatible with other Android devices. However, the experience is slightly optimized for OnePlus users, with features like quick pairing and seamless syncing with the OnePlus Health app.
One area where the OnePlus Watch falls short is the lack of third-party app support. While it covers essential functions, users who rely heavily on apps like Spotify, Strava, or Google Maps may find the watch limiting. The absence of a voice assistant, such as Google Assistant or Alexa, also puts the OnePlus Watch behind some of its competitors in terms of smart functionality.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Watch marks an impressive entry into the smartwatch market for the brand. It offers a well-rounded experience with a focus on design, battery life, and fitness tracking. While it may not have the extensive app ecosystem of some of its competitors, it excels in the core areas that matter most to many users—health tracking, battery life, and seamless integration with the OnePlus ecosystem.
For OnePlus smartphone users, the OnePlus Watch is a natural extension of their mobile experience, offering smooth connectivity and a consistent user interface. For those who prioritize battery life and fitness features over third-party app support, the OnePlus Watch represents excellent value for money.
In conclusion, the OnePlus Watch is a solid choice for anyone in the market for a stylish, long-lasting, and capable smartwatch. It may not be the most feature-rich smartwatch available, but it nails the fundamentals, making it a reliable and attractive option in the mid-range smartwatch category.