Highlights
What happens when a brand known for pushing smartphone boundaries decides to create a smartwatch? OnePlus brings its signature blend of minimalist design and solid performance to the wearable market, offering a device that seamlessly extends its ecosystem. With a focus on sleek aesthetics and user-friendly features, OnePlus smartwatches are made to fit naturally into daily life, whether you're tracking a workout or just checking your notifications. It’s an approach that prioritizes simplicity—but does it do enough to stand out in a crowded market?
Product Selection
The lineup of OnePlus smartwatches consists of the OnePlus Watch 2 and the OnePlus Watch 2R for users desiring deeper integrations with OnePlus phones. While the former focuses on providing a premium experience stuffed with advanced features, the latter is more budget-friendly, housing only the core functionalities. Although the range is very limited, both models strike a balance in style, functionality, and user-friendly features for the OnePlus ecosystem.
Affordability
The OnePlus Watch 2 takes on a closer-to-mid-range approach, costing in the region of $250-300 for a more premium smartwatch experience. Coming below that model is the OnePlus Watch 2R, usually setting one back less than $200, while getting all the core features at a more budget-friendly price. That two-tier approach makes OnePlus an attractive prospect to those wanting variety but not wanting to fully enter into premium territory.
Reputation
Oneplus came to the smartwatch market with the intention of offering a cohesive experience for users already indoctrinated by its smartphone lineup. Their first major entry, the OnePlus Watch, was known for its long battery life and a premium design for a competitive price. The OnePlus Watches are refining that approach, touting seamless integration with OnePlus devices and user-friendly features. Today, OnePlus mostly stands for stylish and durable smartwatches with decent value, particularly for those who want to continue being inside the OnePlus ecosystem without compromising on essential features.
Battery Life
OnePlus smartwatches are known for their impressive battery life, with the Watch 2 offering up to 14 days on a single charge and fast charging capabilities that can deliver a day’s use in just a few minutes. The Watch 2R also boasts strong battery performance, making it ideal for users who prioritize long-lasting use and minimal downtime.
Performance
With a custom OS driving the OnePlus Watch 2, navigation is good and smooth in transitioning to health and smart features. The 2R follows much of the same design language of simplicity and ease of interaction. Performance will be fine-tuned to work best with OnePlus phones, while the software isn't quite as versatile as other platforms but focuses on delivering a seamless, integrated experience within the OnePlus ecosystem.
Design & Style
The OnePlus Watch 2 has a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, an exquisite and round design, and plenty of personalization options with its watch faces, making it modern and really premium-looking. The OnePlus Watch 2R is similar to the former in design but in a much more minimalist form to bring lightness and affordability while keeping the essence of the brand. Both watches support changeable bands for each taste.
Build Quality & Durability
The OnePlus Watchs both feature stainless steel casings and Corning Gorilla Glass to protect the display, enhancing durability for everyday wear. They offer 5 ATM water resistance, suitable for swimming and various outdoor activities. The robust build quality demonstrates OnePlus' dedication to providing watches that endure daily wear while retaining a premium appearance.
Health & Fitness Tracking
The health features included in the OnePlus Watch 2 are integrated: 24/7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep analysis, and stress monitoring. It supports over 110 sports modes for most types of fitness activities. The 2R provides a more streamlined version of these, sticking to the basics of health monitoring and fitness tracking for users who do not require detailed metrics.
Smart Features & Connectivity
The smart features of the OnePlus Watch 2 include integration with Bluetooth and GPS for smart notifications, music control, and remote camera shutter. It works seamlessly in conjunction with a OnePlus smartphone, further enriching the user experience within the ecosystem. The Watch 2R will carry some comparable connectivity features but will further focus its attention on the core features of a smartwatch rather than advanced ones, such as NFC for payments, hence it will be more suitable for users who seek just the essential smart capabilities.
Conclusion
OnePlus smartwatches offer a winning combination of stylish design and long battery life, making them a great choice for users who appreciate simplicity and a clean interface. These devices excel in providing basic fitness tracking and smooth integration with OnePlus smartphones, creating a cohesive user experience. However, they fall short when it comes to advanced health metrics and a broader app ecosystem, which may leave some users wanting more. For those who value design and ease of use over exhaustive features, OnePlus delivers a smartwatch that balances style with everyday utility, even if it doesn’t push the limits of what a smartwatch can do.
