I’ll be the primary to inform you that the unique OnePlus Watch wasn’t value shopping for. Amongst a saturated market of fantastic, Android-compatible smartwatches, OnePlus’s first try missed the mark. However the firm returned to the drafting board and has delivered the OnePlus Watch 2 — a $299 system that’s nearly incomparable to its predecessor.
With the OnePlus Watch 2, the customers of the corporate’s smartphones lastly get the companion smartwatch they deserve. The mix of chic design and sturdiness rivals pricier alternate options. OnePlus has additionally built-in its RTOS (real-time working system) with Put on OS 4, the software program powering well-liked flagships just like the Google Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.
Loaded with an intensive suite of correct well being sensors, the OnePlus Watch 2 makes a powerful pitch as a health tracker, too. Along with sleep- and stress-tracking, the watch helps exercise monitoring for dozens of sports activities varieties. Plus there are perks for choose sports activities modes akin to working. The twin-frequency GPS makes certain your motion is monitored exactly all of the whereas.
Although it lacks some fashionable smartwatch options like LTE assist and fall detection, in most methods, it retains up with the perfect smartwatches I’ve examined and is really a recent begin within the story of the OnePlus Watch. You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the the reason why in my full OnePlus Watch 2 evaluate under.
OnePlus Watch 2 evaluate: Cheat sheet
- What’s it? The OnePlus Watch 2 is a great-looking, fitness-tracking smartwatch with Put on OS 4.
- Who’s it for? Although it’s suitable with any Android cellphone, it’s finest for OnePlus smartphone house owners.
- What’s the value? The OnePlus Watch 2 is obtainable for $299 / £299.
- How lengthy is the battery life? The battery lasts as much as 100 hours in Good mode and as much as 12 days in Energy Saver mode.
- How is it completely different from the primary OnePlus Watch? It is a main improve in virtually each method.
OnePlus Watch 2 evaluate: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 | OnePlus Watch 2 |
|---|---|
| Value | $299 / £299 |
| Dimension | 47mm x 46.6mm x 12.1mm |
| Colours | Radiant Metal, Black Metal |
| Weight | 1.73oz |
| Processor | Snapdragon W5 + |
| Sturdiness | MIL-STD-810H, IP68, 5ATM |
| Battery life | Good mode: As much as 100 hours; Energy Saver mode: As much as 12 days |
| Storage | 32GB + 2GB |
| Compatibility | Android 8.0 or later |
| Connectivity | Twin-frequency (L1 + L5) GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
OnePlus Watch 2 evaluate: Ups
Flagship-level design
Whereas the primary OnePlus Watch lacked finesse, the OnePlus Watch 2 is a trendy timepiece that’s simply distinct sufficient from different smartwatches. Obtainable in two finishes, Radiant Metal and Black Metal, the chrome steel chassis appears and feels flagship-tier. It encompasses a digital crown and motion button, each of which prolong barely from the chassis moderately than sitting flush with the watch’s curve. Whereas this sort of button placements look good from a design perspective, I discovered it really helps stop unintended presses, too.
However don’t let the magnificence idiot you. The OnePlus Watch 2 is up for rugged actions with the identical MIL-STD-810H sturdiness score discovered on lots of the finest Garmin watches for outside sports activities. It’s additionally IP68 water resistance rated and may stand up to water stress equal to 50 meters, so it’s protected for swimming. The show is even manufactured from sapphire crystal, which is similar materials used on the Garmin Epix Professional and Apple Watch Extremely watches that value a whole lot of {dollars} extra.
Put on OS 4 software program
Slightly than double down by itself RTOS, OnePlus has adopted Google’s Put on OS software program you’ll discover on lots of the finest Android smartwatches. Although much like the Samsung Galaxy Watch, the OnePlus Watch 2 has sure apps and features that stay proprietary to the model. The result’s a hybrid Put on OS 4 + RTOS expertise powered by a pair of adaptive chipsets.
That stated, it’s the inclusion of Google apps that make the OnePlus a trusty companion. From my wrist, I used Google Calendar to test my assembly schedule, Google Maps to get transit instructions to the assembly venue, and Google Pay for my subway fare. There are another third-party apps accessible within the Google Play Retailer, although I discovered those that come on-board cater to the most typical smartwatch wants.
Spectacular health monitoring
I’ve by no means actually thought of OnePlus a well being firm in the identical method that I do Apple and Samsung, so I did not have excessive expectations for the OnePlus Watch 2’s health monitoring talents. But it surely seems the watch is loaded with assist for dozens of sports activities varieties and an activity-tracking app that makes it straightforward to watch your motion (together with step depend) every day. The sleep- and stress-tracking apps present additional wellness data that may be reviewed from both your wrist or within the companion OHealth app for Android.
I in contrast the guts fee sensor towards Google Pixel Watch 2, which I’ve discovered to have some of the correct sensors accessible. The OnePlus Watch 2’s readings have been intently aligned. Although I favor Google’s ensuing health metrics by way of Fitbit, OnePlus’ watch additionally has some superior insights for choose sports activities like working. Assume: Vertical amplitude, floor contact time, stride size, cadence, tempo and VO2 max.
Nice battery life and quick charging
OnePlus claims its second-generation smartwatch can last as long as two weeks in energy saver mode and as much as 100 hours in regular ‘sensible’ mode. Calling on the GPS just a few occasions per day for utilizing Google Maps for navigation or monitoring exercises, I discovered I wanted to recharge simply shy of three days, which continues to be significantly longer stamina than most flagship smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch 6 and Google Pixel Watch 2 have to be charged virtually every day.
In terms of charging, the watch can juice up in 10 minutes for a day’s value of battery, whereas only one hour of charging delivers a full battery. The proprietary charging base comes with a USB-C cable and OnePlus charging brick. When you’ll wish to use that charging brick for quick charging, you would use a USB-C cable with the bottom, which means you may theoretically journey with fewer cables. Most smartwatches have a charger built-in with a cable, so it is a distinctive benefit of the OnePlus Watch 2.
OnePlus Watch 2 evaluate: Downs
No fall detection
Whereas it is true the OnePlus Watch 2 is a significant improve over the unique OnePlus Watch, it is lacking just a few options which can be customary on flagship smartwatches. A serious one, in my view, is fall detection. Fall detection is a security characteristic that may routinely alert authorities and emergency contacts while you’re unresponsive after taking a tough fall, as detected by a smartwatch’s accelerometer.
There’s been a number of reported situations of fall detection saving lives in all types of eventualities, although most contain biking and mountain climbing. For a watch that is considerably marketed for outside sports activities, not having fall detection looks like a miss. Hopefully it is a characteristic that would are available a later software program replace.
No possibility for LTE
One other frequent smartwatch characteristic is LTE connectivity, or the choice so as to add an impartial mobile line to the wearable (for an added price, in fact.) This allows you to depart your cellphone behind however nonetheless reply textual content messages, use cellular funds, search instructions and extra.
For the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, and Pixel Watch, LTE-supporting fashions are a preferred selection for purchasers. It enables you to make absolutely the most out of your smartwatch expertise. It isn’t essentially a deal-breaker, however I feel it’d would make a a lot stronger case for the OnePlus Watch 2 incomes a spot in the identical tier as these flagship opponents.
OnePlus Watch 2 evaluate: Verdict
Regardless of missing just a few options, the OnePlus Watch 2 is prepared for the massive league. It fastened every part that was unsuitable with the unique OnePlus Watch after which some, taking a cue from how OnePlus smartphones have raised the bar lately.
On that word, the OnePlus Watch 2 is really preferrred for OnePlus smartphone customers. Though it is technically suitable with any Android cellphone, it will work the perfect with an in-brand handset. The identical is true all flagship watches, although. Until you are trying a third-party smartwatch model, Samsung cellphone customers ought to get a Galaxy Watch, Pixel cellphone customers a Pixel Watch, and so forth.
A minimum of now, OnePlus cellphone customers have an amazing watch to name their very own.