OnePlus has unveiled its latest smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch 3, priced at $329.99. After several days of testing, it’s clear this isn’t a radical departure from its predecessor but rather a polished evolution—one that finally addresses some long-standing complaints while playing catch-up in a few areas.
Design: Familiar Yet Refined
The Watch 3 retains much of the OnePlus Watch 2’s aesthetic, with subtle but meaningful tweaks. The 2.2K nits OLED display is slightly larger and brighter, with reduced bezels thanks to a refined casing. A new titanium physical bezel adds a touch of premium flair, though the overall design remains largely unchanged.
One notable drawback? The Watch 3 still comes in only one size (47mm), which may feel bulky on smaller wrists. The lugs leave noticeable gaps, making it less than ideal for those with slender arms—a missed opportunity for broader appeal.
Finally, a Functional Rotating Crown
A major win is the addition of a proper rotating crown, which now actually scrolls—a baffling omission in the previous model. Paired with satisfying haptics, this small but crucial fix makes navigation smoother and aligns the Watch 3 with industry standards.
Battery Life and Charging: Slight Improvements
Battery life sees a modest bump, now rated for 120 hours (5 days) with typical use, or 3 days with the always-on display enabled. In power-saving mode, OnePlus claims up to 16 days. The 631mAh silicon nanostack battery (shared with the OnePlus 13) and Wear OS 5 optimizations contribute to efficiency.
Charging remains a strong point: 10 minutes on the charger delivers a full day’s power—a convenience that’s hard to overlook.
Health and Fitness: New Sensors, Limited Availability
OnePlus has upgraded its sensor suite, adding wrist temperature tracking, an 8-channel heart rate sensor, and a 16-channel SpO2 monitor. The revamped GPS antenna promises better accuracy in urban environments, though real-world testing is pending.
Disappointingly, ECG functionality is unavailable in the U.S. and Canada—OnePlus confirmed it has no plans to seek FDA clearance due to “business reasons.” However, the new 60S Health Check-In (providing quick heart rate, SpO2, stress, and vascular age readings) and vascular health monitoring (similar to Oura’s feature) are welcome additions.
Sleep and Wellness: Expanded Tracking
Sleep tracking has been overhauled, now including snore detection to assess breathing disruptions. Stress tracking has been rebranded as ”360 Mind and Body,” using HRV, resting heart rate, and activity data to suggest guided breathing exercises—complete with emoji-based feedback. Early testing shows improved insights, though the emoji assessments feel gimmicky.
The Bottom Line: A Solid, If Safe, Upgrade
At $30 more than its predecessor, the Watch 3 doesn’t rewrite the smartwatch playbook. Instead, it refines what worked before while adding features competitors already offer. For those seeking a Wear OS alternative to Samsung or Google, it’s a compelling option—just don’t expect a revolution.
