If you’re in the market for a smartwatch that effortlessly blends style and performance, the OnePlus Watch 3 might just be your new best friend. After a full week of testing (with plenty of daily chatter between it and my older Apple Watch Series 6 buddy), I can confidently say that this little Android device punches well above its weight in some areas, even if it stumbles a bit on others.
Design & Visual Appeal At first glance, the OnePlus Watch 3 takes you on a visual joyride thanks to its massive 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display encased in a stainless steel body. The visuals pop with a crisp 466 x 466 resolution and a brightness that can go up to a dazzling 2,200 nits—yes, you read that right. Whether you’re outdoors under the full glare of the sun or checking your notifications in a dim room, this watch confidently holds its own. And let’s not forget the crown: shaped like a sharp pyramid, it gives the whole gadget an instant air of sophistication. A subtle yet significant upgrade over Apple’s tiny, pancake-style crown that often left my wrist feeling more “plaything” than premium timepiece.
Display & Touch and Strap Woes The touchscreen is as responsive as you’d hope, complete with smooth animations and precise haptic feedback that makes every tap feel intentional rather than robotic. But here’s the kicker—even a perfectly executed touchscreen can be let down by a subpar wristband. Enter the included fluoro rubber strap: ugly, cheap-feeling, and prone to detaching, it really detracts from the high-end feel the rest of the watch boasts. If style matters (and who doesn’t want their tech looking as sharp as they do?), you might want to explore better third-party straps.
Performance & Power Under the Hood Powered by Snapdragon W5 and BES2800 chips, the Watch 3 offers lightning-fast navigation through menus—especially with Power Mode enabled. The dedicated workout button is a thoughtful touch for those quick transitions into exercise mode, and once you manually activate it, tracking your workout performance becomes a matter of pride. This is exactly where I noticed the Watch 3 standing toe-to-toe with my Series 6, even if the everyday tracking left me a tad underwhelmed.
Water, Workouts, and Other Quirks Now, if you’re an avid swimmer or enjoy those steamy, power-refreshing showers, be aware: the 50-meter water resistance rating sounds promising until water droplets decide to turn your screen into a rogue touchpad. During short showers, false inputs and erratic behavior forced me to take a backseat—something I never experienced with my Apple Watch. If you’re planning on mixing your daily hygiene with your high-tech gear, consider this a heads-up.
Battery Love and Everyday Use Battery life is where the OnePlus Watch 3 really knows how to make an impression. In Smart Mode, with typical day-to-day tasks—like bumping through apartment chores, handling notifications, and even sneaking in a VR fitness session with Supernatural—the battery barely dropped a fraction. The Apple Watch Series 6, my long-time companion, did its best to keep pace but still fell behind. With the Watch 3, I could comfortably go up to five days on a single charge. That’s a game changer for anyone tired of the constant charge cycle.
Health & Fitness Tracking – The Good and the Quirky For fitness junkies and health enthusiasts alike, this watch packs a suite of sensors: heart rate, blood oxygen (SPO2), movement tracking, and even wrist temperature (which, by the way, takes about five days to give you any useful data). Its 60 Second Health Check-In neatly bundles your stats into a contextual snapshot of your well-being. However, I did hit a snag with step counting and general fitness tracking accuracy. During an intense VR workout, my Series 6 recorded over 5,000 steps while the Watch 3 lagged significantly behind. While calorie burns and heart rate readings were spot-on and even included a more detailed breakdown of zones, the overall activity data often took a “delayed update” approach, almost like it was napping on the job until you got outside.
Software Setup & Google Integration The Watch 3 is powered by Wear OS, opening the door to Google’s robust ecosystem rather than Apple’s siloed environment. Expect a seamless experience with handy apps like Spotify, Google Calendar, and even voice commands via Google Assistant. Here’s where the setup process might feel a bit like you’re in the deep end if you’re coming from Apple land—it isn’t exactly plug-and-play. You need the OHealth companion app and an extra OnePlus account to get things moving, which might be a tad confusing for those unfamiliar with Android’s layout. But once you crack the code, the UI—swipe down for quick settings, up for notifications, and a dignified crown to navigate—becomes a joy to use.
Final Thoughts & Purchasing Information The OnePlus Watch 3 shines in many departments, boasting a premium design, an exceptional battery, and a fast, friendly interface. For the most part, it is a stellar watch for Android users, especially those invested in Google’s ecosystem. Just be prepared for a bit of a learning curve with the software and potential hiccups in fitness tracking. If you value sleek aesthetics and battery endurance over super-precise step counting and customizable strap options, this smartwatch could be a win for you.
For those interested, you can grab the OnePlus Watch 3 directly from OnePlus for $349.99. Consider this a solid option if you’re ready to upgrade your wrist game and dive into a whirlwind of notifications, health data, and a bit of quirky tech personality you won’t soon forget.
Source: This article was inspired by content from Ign . All images belong to their respective owners.