Let me be real with you: the first OnePlus Watch didn’t quite hit the sweet spot.
In a world brimming with top-notch Android-friendly smartwatches, OnePlus’s initial foray felt a bit off-target.
But, I'll give credit where credit is due - OnePlus didn’t just sit back; they went back to the drawing board and came back with this, the OnePlus Watch 2.
Priced at ₹24,999, it's a way better device that’s leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor.
And for Android phone users, this is the perfect companion smartwatch you've been holding out for, boasting features you won't see on any other mainstream Wear OS smartwatch out there.
OnePlus Watch 2 Design
The Watch 2 adopts a classic round dial aesthetic. The design includes a peculiar handle-like structure on the right side, which gives it a bit of a distinct identity.
Also placed on the right are two buttons, with the bottom one being flat and the top one resembling a traditional watch crown.
The stainless steel construction of the OnePlus Watch 2 exudes a premium feel. Our test unit here is an understated full black, but there’s a cool silver-green colour option for looking for more character.
OnePlus has decided to launch the Watch 2 in just a single 46mm size. This, in addition to the watch’s higher-than-average thickness, might not be ideal for users with slender wrists.
I really hope OnePlus launches a smaller 40/42mm option in the future to expand the Watch 2’s appeal.
On the plus side, the Watch 2 boasts a comfortable rubber strap that uses standard 22mm lugs. This will allow for easy customisation with third-party straps.
And it's seriously durable, too, boasting IP68 and 5ATM water resistance ratings, so feel free to dive in for a swim. It even meets the rugged MIL-STD-810H American military standard, which means it's ready for just about anything you throw at it.
OnePlus Watch 2 Connectivity
The Watch 2 connects to your smartphone via the O Health app, and the setup process is pretty straightforward.
OnePlus is also not reserving any mainstream feature just for its ecosystem, so you can seamlessly use this Watch with any Android smartphone.
But, there’s no iPhone support since the O Health app is not available on the Apple App Store.
In addition to Bluetooth and Wifi, The Watch 2 also has NFC. But, it's not useful as of now because popular payment apps like Google Pay do not have a Wear OS app here in India.
Finally, the absence of a dedicated LTE variant on this smartwatch might put a few buyers off.
OnePlus Watch 2 Display
The 1.43-inch AMOLED display on this watch offers a resolution of 466 x 466 and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, making it easily readable even outdoors.
It's protected by a sapphire crystal glass, which adds the much-required scratch resistance.
The display bezel is slightly on the thicker side. Although it will not be noticeable if you primarily use darker watch faces.
What’s awesome is the always-on option. This feature maintains the watch face's design, ensuring you are not wearing a lifeless black screen when the watch is not in use.
OnePlus Watch 2 Performance & Software
There has been a 3 year gap between the original OnePlus Watch and this Watch 2. But, it looks like OnePlus has been diligently working on the perfect smartwatch formula.
The result is a rather ingenious solution: dual chips and dual operating systems.
While the Watch 2 is a primarily a Wear OS smartwatch, it also simultaneously runs OnePlus’ proprietary RTOS. So, it seamlessly switches between the two depending on the task at hand.
This transition is aided by two chipsets: Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 for Wear OS, and BES2700 for RTOS.
Most background operations, such as connectivity, sleep and heart rate monitoring, and fitness tracking, are managed by RTOS.
However, engaging with Wear OS-specific functionalities and apps triggers the activation of the W5 chipset.
This smart synergy between the two systems results in stellar battery life, which I will talk about in a while.
Also, the Watch 2 comes with 2GB of RAM which helps its interface run smoothly. The UI is a bit different from that of the Galaxy Watch 6, but WearOS users will feel right at home here.
The navigation is aided by the two buttons on the right side. The top crown works as a home button and app drawer.
But, even though this crown rotates, it does absolutely nothing, which is a bummer considering it would have made the UI more intuitive.
However, the ability to customise these buttons is excellent. Users can assign different actions to a double press and long press of the crown, and the lower button also supports customisation for a single press.
OnePlus Watch 2 Health & Fitness Tracking
The health and fitness suite of this smartwatch is quite robust. It has all the basics covered like heart rate monitoring with high/low heart rate warning, sleep tracking, SPO2 monitoring, and stress monitoring as well.
I cross-checked these readings with another smartwatch, and the readings were consistent across both.
However, the OnePlus Watch 2 does skip out on a few essentials you'd anticipate in a watch at this price point, such as fall detection and period tracking.
Additionally, features like blood pressure and ECG monitoring, which were recently added to the Galaxy Watch 6 through an update, haven't made their way onto this model.
On the fitness side, you get 100+ sports modes with automatic recognition for things like running, cycling, and swimming.
The Watch 2 also has dual-band GPS support to enhance its utility for outdoor fitness enthusiasts.
To test the watch's GPS, I took a brisk walk outside. The route tracking was spot-on!
OnePlus Watch 2 Battery Life
With its 500mAh battery, the OnePlus Watch 2 has the best battery life I’ve ever seen on a smartwatch.
In "Smart Mode," which switches between Wear OS and RTOS, OnePlus estimates the Watch 2 can last up to 100 hours on a single charge. It's important to note that this excludes the always-on display and assumes 30 minutes of GPS activity.
But during my testing, I kept the continuous heart rate monitoring and the always-on display enabled, and still I charged this watch only once in about three days. Mind blown!
But, there is a caveat here. The smart switch to RTOS for the always-on display feature is limited to the default watch faces, which, to be honest, aren't that eye-catching.
Opting for any third-party watch face deactivates this smart switch feature and can take a toll on the battery life.
Alternatively, activating Power Saver mode turns off Wear OS and fully switches to RTOS, extending the battery life to an impressive 12 days, as claimed.
The watch charges with a handy magnetic puck that has a detachable cable for better portability.
The fast VOOC charging tech allows the Watch to fully charge in under an hour without needing a specific OnePlus adapter.
OnePlus Watch 2 Review
The OnePlus Watch 2 emerges as the best Wear OS smartwatch to buy in 2024. It has a high-quality build, a great UI, and an outstanding battery life.
At ₹24,999, it undercuts both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Pixel Watch 2 in India. It offers good value, considering its array of features and performance.
However, its lack of LTE and a smaller variant might disappoint some prospective buyers.
Despite these drawbacks, its exceptional battery life alone may be enough to sway potential buyers looking for a reliable and long-lasting smartwatch.
OnePlus Watch 2 Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Unmatched Battery Life: The OnePlus Watch 2 boasts the best battery performance seen in a smartwatch, offering days of usage without needing a recharge, even with features like continuous heart rate monitoring and the always-on display activated.
- High-Quality Build, Comfortable Strap: Crafted from stainless steel, the Watch 2 has a premium feel. It also features a comfortable rubber strap that is easy to customise with standard 22mm lugs.
- Convenient Custom Button: The Watch 2 offers excellent button customisation, allowing users to assign various actions to the lower button.
Cons:
- Only a Single 46mm Size: The OnePlus Watch 2 is only available in a 46mm size, which may not suit everyone, particularly those with smaller wrists.
- No LTE Option: The lack of a dedicated LTE variant restricts the Watch 2's functionality as a standalone device.
Also watch: OnePlus 12 Review
