What you need to know

• OnePlus has quietly listed the Watch 4 on its global site.
• Hardware barely changes, with the same Snapdragon W5, BES 2800 chip, 2GB RAM, and 32GB storage.
• Full titanium build makes it lighter and slightly thinner, with a sharper 1.5-inch OLED hitting 3,000 nits.
• While the specs are fully revealed, pricing and release date are still unknown.

Things are strange in tech at the moment. OnePlus is laying off employees and rethinking its global business. Still, instead of staying quiet, the company quietly introduced its next smartwatch as if nothing unusual is happening.

Meet the OnePlus Watch 4. It’s official and listed on the company’s global website. We know all the specs, but the price and release date are still missing.

There aren’t any big hardware changes, though. The Watch 4 uses the same Snapdragon W5 chip and BES 2800 coprocessor as the Watch 2 and Watch 3. It still has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

The battery is almost the same at 632mAh. It should last up to 16 days in power saver mode, 5 days in smart mode, and 3 days with heavy use.

Titanium for everyone

Now, the whole case is made from titanium alloy instead of just the bezel. This change lowers the weight to 43g, or 68g with the strap, and makes the 47.4mm body slightly thinner. The watch also features a clear 1.5-inch LTPO OLED display (466 x 466) that can reach 3,000 nits of brightness in sports mode.

The main improvement is in the software. The Watch 4 launches with OxygenOS Watch 8, which is based on Wear OS 6. That’s one version ahead of the Watch 3. Gemini is included, and the watch has all the latest health certifications, although a few are still missing in the U.S.

The watch has plenty of protection features: 5ATM, IP68, and now an IP69 rating for high-temperature water jets. It also meets MIL-STD-810H durability standards.

The OnePlus Watch 4 is available in Evergreen Titanium and Midnight Titanium. There’s no official price yet, but since it has similar hardware to the $350 Watch 3, it will likely be in that range.

Android Central's Take

Here’s what bothers me. For buyers, this watch is actually impressive. It offers a lighter titanium body, a great display, and Wear OS 6 with Gemini before most competitors. But a good watch doesn’t mean much if the company might disappear soon. OnePlus wants recognition for releasing a polished product, but hasn’t addressed whether it will support the watch in the future.

What you need to know

• A rumor claims that the OnePlus Watch 4 has just passed through the EMVCo for its certification ahead of launch.
• The watch is rumored to debut with a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display, a 646mAh battery, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 SoC.
• OnePlus teased that it had a new watch on the way last year on its website; though the illustration was minimal, it gave the impression that OPPO's Watch S could be used as its base.

It's been a few months since rumors about the OnePlus Watch 4 graced our eyes, but this one suggests development has pushed it through a crucial hoop.

Over on X, tipster Sudhanshu suggests the Chinese OEM's next wearable was spotted receiving its EMVCo certification (via Android Police). This tipster claims the OnePlus Watch 4 could feature a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 466x466 resolution. The device may be offered in a 47mm size variant, alongside Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 SoC powering its functions.

Software-wise, Google's Wear OS 5 is suspected to power the Watch 4. If true, it would be quite the disappointment, considering the Watch 3 still has OS 5, with expectations of OS 6 to hit sometime in 2026. Internally, a 646mAh battery is rumored to keep the device going throughout the day, alongside an IP69 rating for water and dust resistance.

A concrete date for the OnePlus Watch 4 wasn't stated; however, the tipster speculates it could happen "soon," since the EMVCo certification surfaced.

Slow OS updates, but what about the watch itself?

The rumors allege that the OnePlus Watch 4 could feature the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 SoC. It's more likely that OnePlus is looking at Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 series in general, since the W5 Gen 1 launched in 2022. It'd be very weird if the company opted for a chip that's four-years-old. Either way, we first started thinking about the Watch 4 in November when OnePlus teased a new watch on its website.

There was very little about the device to dive into, as we only had the website's illustration. However, there was speculation that OnePlus could use OPPO's Watch S as the foundation for its next model. At the time—and going by that thinking—it was theorized that the Watch 4 might feature a 1.46-inch, 3,000-nit AMOLED display. We're seeing a slightly higher display size with the rumors today, but things are still in the same ballpark.

The device's OS was also a talking point last year, as OnePlus was rather slow in rolling out Wear OS 5 to the Watch 2. Once it finally did (in January 2026, mind you), it caused nothing but problems for users. The OnePlus Watch 3 hasn't gotten Wear OS 6 yet, so if the Watch 4 arrives with OS 5, users might be in an uproar again.

What you need to know

• OnePlus rolled out Wear OS 5 to Watch 2 and 2R units in the last week of December 2025, though only in some territories like India.
• Users who received the update have reported serious battery drain, cutting the 3-day estimate down to 1–2 days.
• OnePlus originally promised the update in Q3 2025 before shifting its window to Q4 2025.
• OnePlus's version of Wear OS 5 mostly includes stock updates like Google app improvements and animation changes.

Like a college student emailing their assignment to the professor at 11:59 p.m., OnePlus rolled out its Wear OS 5 update to some OnePlus Watch 2 and 2R users on December 29, sneaking under their self-imposed end-of-year deadline. And as you might expect, this last-minute update has been causing problems since then.

The OnePlus Watch 2 and Watch 2R, both released in 2024 running Wear OS 4, were originally supposed to receive Wear OS 5 between July and September 2025; only after Android Authority asked about the delay in October did the company say the update would arrive "in the near future."

Now, some OnePlus Watch owners have received the update, though not everyone; my U.S.-based OnePlus Watch 2R, for example, still shows Wear OS 4 and the May 2025 security update. But this might be a blessing in disguise, given the update's effect.

This Reddit thread and several OnePlus forum posts (here, here, and here) have mentioned that the update is causing severe battery drain. The Watch 2 and 2R regularly lasted about three days in smart mode before the update; now, some users say it won't last a full day, even after trying factory resets and other fixes.

"I'm utterly heartbroken and frustrated with the drastic battery drain issue plaguing my OnePlus Watch 2 following the Wear OS 5 update," says one user. "My OnePlus Watch 2 now plummets from full charge at 1:00 PM to a critical 10% by 11:00 PM on light usage."

"Earlier I used to get 2.5 days easily with most settings on (at least 2 days)... Now barely getting 1 day," says another user. Someone responded that his drain wasn't quite as bad, but that he'd gone from 3–4 days before to "a strict 2 days" now.

Several users point to specific apps causing the drain, like the Weather app, Play Store, or "Wear OS" itself, but the variety suggests this is a system-wide issue rather than one app causing problems.

What makes this update especially frustrating to users is that stock Wear OS 5 is (A) a very subtle update with few notable changes and (B) supposed to make Wear OS run more efficiently, as it did on Pixel and Galaxy Watches. The OnePlus Watch 3 has run this version since April with no issues, making this unoptimized update on last-gen models disappointing to see.

Any brand can push a buggy update, but two weeks later, I'd have expected OnePlus to either roll it back or announce a timetable for fixes. Instead, OnePlus hasn't made any official announcement, from what we've seen. My colleague reached out to OnePlus about the update a few days ago, but we've yet to hear back.

Having recommended the OnePlus Watch 2R as my best budget Android smartwatch pick, mostly on the strength of its battery life, this update is deeply concerning to me. OnePlus needs to prove that its promise of two Wear OS updates and three years of security updates isn't just empty rhetoric, and that it'll properly support these watches.

As it is, it's notable that the recent OnePlus Watch Lite skipped Wear OS entirely, using a proprietary RTOS like the original OnePlus Watch.

Owning a Wear OS smartwatch usually means you have to give up at least one thing: great battery life, advanced health tracking, or access to third-party apps (like what you lose on Garmin running watches). However, one smartwatch that manages to nail everything is the OnePlus Watch 3.

The OnePlus Watch 3 easily delivers up to 5 days of battery life, has a solid mix of health and workout tracking features, and thanks to Wear OS, supports all Android apps. And while we recommended buying this smartwatch even at its original $350 launch price in the U.S., this Black Friday deal makes it almost unmissable as Amazon is offering $100 off the OnePlus Watch 3.

• The best 25 deals for Android users during Amazon's Black Friday sale

✅Recommended if: You want a smartwatch with days-long battery life, solid health tracking, and a bright AMOLED display with great Wear OS app support.

❌Skip this deal if: You prefer a slim, lightweight watch and expect long-term software support.

OnePlus has been making smartwatches for a few years now, and the OnePlus Watch 3 is as good as it gets. It offers a large AMOLED display that's easily visible outdoors, whether you're running to work or hiking. The Watch's screen remains bright and readable in almost every situation.

However, the most impressive thing about this smartwatch isn't Wear OS, its build and design, or even the display. It's the battery life. Android Central reviewer Nicholas Sutrich couldn't kill the OnePlus Watch 3 in more than four days with all features on, including Always-On Display.

This is the level of endurance you usually see only on dedicated running watches like Garmin or Coros, but here you get that benefit on a Wear OS smartwatch too. For comparison, this is better battery life than what you'd get on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 or the Pixel Watch 4.

Long battery life doesn't mean fewer features either. The OnePlus Watch 3 offers a similar set of health-tracking features to other Wear OS watches, along with a physical rotating crown that makes navigating Wear OS easier without touching the screen much.

Of course, there are a few drawbacks as well, such as a bulkier build than some competitors, no LTE variant, and the fact that OnePlus will only provide two years of OS updates for the Watch 3. That said, at this price, it's all forgivable.

Bottom line, if you prefer a Wear OS smartwatch experience but still want the battery life of a non-Wear OS watch, the OnePlus Watch 3 is easily one of the best options you can buy this Black Friday.

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: major discounts on Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: official Black Friday discounts on tablets, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday (so far)
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday (so far)
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday (so far)

What you need to know

• The OnePlus Watch Lite arrives on December 17, along with the OnePlus 15R and OnePlus Pad Go 2.
• OnePlus has teased "flagship-level health and fitness features" and a "clean, modern look," but has otherwise avoided sharing specific details.
• OnePlus is offering a £50-off coupon for users who subscribe to its newsletter.

After teasing a "new watch" that we hoped was the OnePlus Watch 4, OnePlus has officially revealed a brand new smartwatch lineup coming December 17: the OnePlus Watch Lite. And while they're waiting to share official details, the Watch Lite certainly looks like the skinny Oppo Watch S announced last month.

Like the Silver Oppo Watch S, the OnePlus Watch Lite has a rotating crown, a white silicone strap with three grooves and four orange dots, and a distinct contoured case that juts out along the right side.

Assuming OnePlus does repurpose its parent company's design for the Watch Lite, it would be distinctly light and skinny, weighing just 35g and measuring 8.9mm thick, with a 1.46-inch AMOLED display that hits 3,000 nits of brightness. But this is unconfirmed; we'll need to wait until December 17 for OnePlus to reveal its Watch Lite specs.

OnePlus told Techradar that the Watch Lite is "a device designed to bring flagship-level health and fitness features to an even more accessible price point," and that the Silver Steel finish "delivers a clean, modern look with a subtle shine that suits both everyday wear and active lifestyles."

Otherwise, OnePlus hasn't shared other official details. The biggest question is whether the OnePlus Watch Lite will use Wear OS like the OnePlus Watch 3, or a proprietary RTOS to maximize battery life and challenge other budget fitness watches.

OnePlus launched the mid-range OnePlus Watch 2R with Wear OS in 2024, and it's still one of the best cheap Android smartwatches available today. Choosing "Watch Lite" instead of Watch 3R could be a simple rebranding to make its low price clearer, or it could signal a shift away from Wear OS. We'll find out more next month.

The Oppo Watch S reportedly sports HR, SpO2, ECG, and skin temperature sensors, paired with dual-band GPS; this could certainly qualify as "flagship-level health and fitness features" in a budget device, if the OnePlus Watch Lite receives them, too.

OnePlus will launch the OnePlus 15R and Pad Go 2 on December 17 in the U.S. and Canada, but we don't have confirmation yet that the OnePlus Watch Lite will launch in North America. So far, we've only found the Watch Lite on OnePlus's UK site.

If the OnePlus Watch Lite does launch in the U.S., it may not get the ECG feature; OnePlus skipped FDA testing for the Watch 3, leaving the ECG feature inactive.

We certainly hope it does launch in North America, as OnePlus's smartwatches have a proven track record for fast performance and strong battery life. The Galaxy Watch FE is the main budget Android smartwatch available today, and its outdated Galaxy Watch 4-era specs make it hard to recommend; the OnePlus Watch Lite could fill that budget Android watch niche.

For now, UK users can go to OnePlus's site for a glimpse of the new watch and subscribe to get a £50-off coupon, with a chance to win a Watch Lite or OnePlus 15R.

What you need to know

• OnePlus teased a "New Watch Coming Soon" on its UK website this week.
• It's offering a £50 discount on this new watch if you subscribe to its newsletter, with one person receiving a free smartwatch.
• OnePlus also teased its upcoming OnePlus 15R phone and a mysterious "New Tablet."
• The terms and conditions suggest the "launch event" could take place on December 17.

OnePlus is teasing three new devices: The OnePlus 15R, a "OnePlus New Watch," and a "OnePlus New Tablet." The 15R is clearly a value flagship spin-off of the upcoming OnePlus 15, just like this year's OnePlus 13R, but we know much less about this mysterious smartwatch.

OnePlus's UK website shows a vague outline of this mystery device (screenshotted above), with the promise to cut £50 off the eventual price if you subscribe. It will also give one lucky subscriber a redemption coupon for a free smartwatch, valid from December 17, 2025, to January 31, 2026.

The OnePlus Watch 3 launched in February (before being delayed to April), while the smaller Watch 3 43mm arrived in July. We'd expect to see a OnePlus Watch 4 in early 2026, but the date range above suggests an even earlier launch. OnePlus could be rescheduling its release to align more closely with its flagship phones.

Will OnePlus reuse this skinny Oppo Watch S design for the Watch 4?

OnePlus Watches use a hybrid OS of both Wear OS and a custom RTOS, which helps them deliver fast performance while also lasting longer than Galaxy and Pixel Watches. They also tend to use designs from their parent company, Oppo.

NotebookCheck, which covered this news on Monday, notes that OnePlus could use the Oppo Watch S as a template. Announced in October, the Watch S measures just 8.9mm thick and 35g, but allegedly delivers four days of battery life with AOD per charge with a 1.46-inch, 3,000-nit AMOLED display.

OnePlus's teaser image is light on details, but the visible crown and the angular case edge at the center do seem to match press photos of the Oppo Watch S.

Past OnePlus Watches have hit about 4–5 days, but with heavy, thick designs; the smaller Watch 3 43mm typically hits two days per charge. If this model can combine lightness with longevity, that would be a major upgrade; on the other hand, it's likely that a OnePlus version running Wear OS wouldn't last as long, due to the battery demands.

This is all entirely speculation until OnePlus shares more next month during its "launch event." But a skinnier OnePlus Watch 4 with better battery life could help it become more competitive against the Pixel Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 8, both of which are significantly lighter than the OnePlus Watch 3.

If this isn't the OnePlus Watch 4, it could instead be labeled as the OnePlus Watch 3R, a lighter, cheaper spin-off of the mainline series. It released the OnePlus Watch 2R in mid-2024, though this had a more sporty design than the Oppo Watch S.

Whatever it's called, OnePlus will have to convince Wear OS fans that it can deliver speedy updates to it. The company has yet to update its OnePlus Watch 2 series to Wear OS 5 despite promising to do so in Q3 2025, and the OnePlus Watch 3 isn't due to receive Wear OS 6 until sometime in 2026.

Still, this new OnePlus Watch could easily number among the best Android smartwatches if it adapts the Oppo Watch S template to Wear OS while delivering strong battery life.

The smaller OnePlus Watch 3 is finally available, and I've been putting it through its paces over the past few weeks to see how it measures up to its bigger, technically more capable sibling. We're talking hikes, walks, running, CrossFit workouts, and even a few times out on the lake with a paddleboard.

What I've come away with is that the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is the right watch for anyone who wants a smaller Wear OS watch but doesn't want to deal with the relatively poor battery life of something like a Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or a Google Pixel Watch 3.

However, while the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm offers significantly improved battery life compared to those watches, OnePlus had to make some concessions in terms of features to create a smaller form factor.

Discounts already, just in time for Prime Day

The OnePlus is available in the U.S. and Canada starting on July 8, 2025, for USD $299.99/CA $399.99 at OnePlus.com. The watch comes in Silver Steel and Black Steel colorways. Our review unit is the Black Steel colorway.

OnePlus is offering two promotions throughout the entire month of July to make its pricing more attractive. Students in the U.S. and Canada can get 10% off the cost (that's $30 off), while everyone else can get $50 bucks off when they trade in an eligible device. OnePlus didn't provide the device list to us ahead of time, but this almost certainly means trading in your old smartwatch as an upgrade.

Designed for comfort

I'm someone who enjoys smaller smartwatches, so it feels like the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm was made for me. It's substantially smaller and lighter than the bigger OnePlus Watch 3, weighing 21g less, according to my scale.

Its 60g weight still isn't as light as the Pixel Watch 3 41mm's 46g, but having a bigger battery and slightly larger display is better than the 14g Google saved on that design. It feels like a Goldilocks product in that regard.

And while the weight and physical size difference are excellent improvements for this size, it's the physical design changes I like the most. It's also worth noting that OnePlus improved the brightness of the 43mm version over the larger model, something that's most apparent outdoors.

The pre-installed band lies completely flat, unlike the OnePlus Watch 3. Even if you get a different band for the bigger watch, the lines on the watch look funny without a curved band. Not the case for the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm.

I also love that there's no "sidebar" on the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm, as I'll call it, that offsets the OnePlus Watch 3's buttons. This makes the design for the 43mm variant a totally uniform circle, with only the crown button protruding from the top right. This crown is wonderfully designed and works just like the larger OnePlus Watch 3, excellent haptics included.

The offset crown means you won't accidentally press the button while working out or leaning on something, a problem that happens all the time for me on the Pixel Watch 3 unless I turn it backward.

Health tracking and battery life

While the weight and size are huge positives, OnePlus had to compromise on the battery size and health tracking capabilities of the smaller OnePlus Watch 3 to reduce its size. While U.S. customers have never been able to enjoy the 60-second health checkup feature on the OnePlus Watch 3 due to a lack of FDA approval, the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm doesn't have the feature in any market.

OnePlus tells us that this is "due to the lack of a temperature sensor and vascular health tracking functionality in the Watch 3 43mm." In other words, there's no software fix for missing hardware. Whether or not you'll use these features is another story, but they're not on the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm, while the larger Watch 3 has them.

Thankfully, workout tracking is just as good as the bigger OnePlus Watch 3, and I found no notable differences in the capabilities of the smaller watch for heart rate or GPS tracking.

One of the primary reasons to choose a OnePlus Watch 3 over other Wear OS watches is its impressive battery life. With an average of 5 days of usage per charge, there's simply no competition on the market. As you might have guessed, the 43mm version doesn't last quite as long on a charge.

Instead of 5 days, you're looking at a full 2 days on a single charge. Light users who don't use sleep or health tracking features much might be able to make it through a third day, but most people won't. Thankfully, the 43mm version still uses the ultra-fast Super VOOC charging OnePlus devices are famous for.

While it's no match for the larger OnePlus Watch 3, its battery life still outperforms the best Galaxy or Pixel watches of the same size. That's especially true when using battery saver mode, which simplifies the watch by using an entirely separate operating system, all without sacrificing health or GPS tracking features. With this feature enabled, you'll get approximately a week, even when using all the available functions in RTOS.

A truly great Wear OS watch

If I had to buy any one Wear OS watch today, it would be a choice between the two available OnePlus Watch 3 sizes. The battery life of the smaller 43mm version is by far my biggest disappointment, but it's still better than other Wear OS watches at this size.

OnePlus's use of a dual OS and dual-CPU architecture is still one of the most unique features in the Wear OS space. It allows the watch to remain fast and capable, all while delivering superior battery life.

The biggest draw of using Wear OS over the best Garmin watches or best Amazfit watches is the app selection, in addition to the deep tie-ins with Android's notification system. This delivers that, plus epic battery life and performance, all without major sacrifices.

What you need to know

• OnePlus just announced two new devices in its lineup, bringing a smaller Watch 3 and a new mid-range Buds 4.
• OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is more compact than its larger sibling, weighing just 37.8g, and is powered by the Snapdragon W5 chipset and the BES2800BP MCU chip.
• The OnePlus Buds 4 is a mid-range audio system that comes in two colorways, featuring 55dB noise cancellation depth and improved Adaptive Noise Cancellation.
• Both accessories go on sale starting today (July 8) via OnePlus' website, Amazon, and Best Buy Canada.

OnePlus wants to be a part of your summer travel kit, and with that in mind, it has launched two wearables today (July 8). The company just launched a smaller version of its latest watch, the Watch 3 43mm, and a mid-range OnePlus Buds 4.

To start, the mini Watch 3 is 43 mm in diameter (as its name suggests) and weighs just 37.8g, making it ideal for people who prefer watches with slim dials. The watch sports a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with a default maximum brightness of 600 nits. However, despite its small size, the smartwatch is designed to be powerful.

"We're bringing a smaller iteration of this device that's perfect for those with smaller wrists – but don't underestimate it," OnePlus's chief marketing officer, Celina Shi, said in an interview earlier this month.

The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is built with a "dual-engine architecture technology" that utilizes two chips, similar to the standard 46mm OnePlus Watch 3. The watch is powered by the Snapdragon W5 chipset and the BES2800BP MCU chip, and features a 354mAh battery capacity. According to the company, this battery will last up to seven days in power-saving mode and can be fully charged within an hour. However, it is important to note that for standard use in smart mode, the smartwatch can be used for up to 60 hours.

The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is said to be able to track over 100 sports modes and will automatically recognize six types of activities, including running, swimming, rowing, and more.

"We’re also bringing a menstrual cycle tracker as part of the update to our smartwatch, which users will be able to get estimated period, ovulation, and fertile times on their device," OnePlus added.

However, OnePlus states that the 60-second health check-in won't be available on this variant as it lacks a temperature sensor and vascular health tracking functionality.

That said, the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm will show up in two colorways: Silver Steel and Black Steel. The smartwatch is available to purchase via OnePlus's website, Amazon, or Best Buy Canada starting today and is priced at $299.99.

OnePlus Buds 4

Joining the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm are the new OnePlus Buds 4. The company says that these Buds are designed for all-day wear with a "minimalistic aesthetic." Moreover, each earbud weighs approximately 4.7 grams. Volume controls on the Buds 4 have become even more seamless with intuitive slide gestures right on the stems of these earbuds.

OnePlus Buds 4 come with Dual Drivers, Dual DACs, Hi-Res LHDC 5.0, and 3D Audio. These earbuds are specifically made keeping gamers in mind as they offer "47ms ultra-low latency in Game Mode, ensuring audio syncs perfectly with on-screen action for a competitive edge," Shi said.

This time around, the OnePlus Buds 4 have a unique feature called "Golden Sound," which is a personalized audio tuning system that analyzes the user's ear canal to create an audio profile that adjusts sound playback based on individual hearing preferences.

Additionally, OnePlus states that these new earbuds will adjust noise cancellation based on the user's environment "up to 800 times per second to ensure optimal quiet." These buds can also filter human voices by 200% when compared to the OnePlus Buds 3. This means you can listen to music or binge on TV shows uninterrupted in a crowded space.

"When walking on the street, the Buds 4 allows users to remain aware of important sounds like traffic or alerts, while still automatically filtering out intrusive noise like low-frequency track rumble when commuting, providing the perfect blend of safety and immersion," OnePlus added in its press release.

The Buds 4 features a 62mAh battery in each earbud, backed by a 530mAh capacity in the charging case. The OnePlus Buds 4 will be available in two color options: Zen Green and Storm Gray.

The OnePlus Buds 4 will be available for $129.99 at OnePlus.com on July 8 and on Best Buy and Amazon in the United States in early August. Meanwhile, Canadians can snag these Buds in early August via the OnePlus website and Best Buy.

OnePlus is offering its online users an additional $30 off for a limited time with the BUDS4 promo code.

I'm always looking for better battery life in my smartwatches. I expect weeks of life in a fitness watch, but OnePlus impressed me last year with the OnePlus Watch 2R by delivering 3–4 days and the full Wear OS experience with Assistant. It slipped under the radar for many Android fans, but its deal price now makes it worth a second look.

The OnePlus Watch 2R normally costs $229 — already a good value — but drops down to $179 on OnePlus's site with the discount code "JUNE25." It's not that much cheaper than the Galaxy Watch 7 at $199, to be fair, but some Android fans should seriously consider my dark-horse favorite watch from last year.

For about half the price of the upgraded OnePlus Watch 3, you get the same performance as most other Wear OS watches, but paired with 500mAh capacity and OnePlus's unique coprocessor that's more efficient at running background tasks. My Galaxy Watch Ultra hits about the same battery life with 590mAh capacity, and it costs and weighs much more.

The OnePlus Watch 2R is on the thick side for a watch, but since it weighs 22g/0.8oz less than the OnePlus Watch 3, I don't think you'll mind. And I think you'll like its sporty look, with the silver case and 24-hour GMT scale bezel around the display.

Need evidence? I held a smartwatch beauty pageant with my family last Christmas, and the Watch 2R beat the Pixel Watch 3, several Galaxy Watches, an Apple Watch, and some fitness watches; it only lost to a hybrid watch, which barely counts. For non-techie people, the Watch 2R makes an impression.

OnePlus Watch 2R or 3?

Meanwhile, the OnePlus Watch 3 costs about double the 2R ($349), but you get several key hardware upgrades like a functional crown, new health sensors, a brighter display with faster refresh rates, an extra year of software support, and an upgraded coprocessor.

The downside is that it's quite heavy compared to the 2R, but OnePlus will launch a smaller Watch 3 43mm on July 8, though we don't know the official price or battery life yet. You can save $30 by subscribing to OnePlus's newsletter, so assuming the price hasn't changed, you must choose whether $319 for the best experience or $179 for the Watch 2R fits your budget.

Even though the Watch 3 43mm will be technically better, the Watch 2R doesn't feel like a compromise compared to other brands. It's due to receive Wear OS 5 soon, and most likely Gemini with it, so the software will still feel fresh. And it'll spare you the headache of frequent charging you get with most smartwatches.

OnePlus Watch 2R alternatives

The Galaxy Watch 7 is a good alternative right now at $199. It's our current pick for best Android watch, at least until the Galaxy Watch 8 supplants it, and it'll get one more year of support despite arriving the same year as the Watch 2R.

But I still think some people will prefer the OnePlus Watch 2R option, simply for that extra efficiency and charging speed. It'll depend on which type of Android phone you have: Samsung watches have a lot of exclusive features requiring Galaxy phones, while the Watch 2R works seamlessly on any Android brand.

You can also go even cheaper with a Galaxy Watch FE or TicWatch Pro 5, both majorly discounted right now on Amazon. Of the two, the Pro 5 has comparable performance, display quality, and battery life, but Mobvoi's slow updates and lack of Google Assistant make it a little harder to recommend. And Samsung's Fan Edition hardware is too outdated, in my opinion. Look at your options, but consider the Watch 2R first.

What you need to know

• OnePlus Watch 3 saw a hefty $500 price tag earlier this month. However, the company seems to have made some changes.
• The Watch 3 was brought down to $350 after President Trump announced that he is exempting tariffs on electronics.
• OnePlus stated that it needs to increase the price "due to the current market conditions."

OnePlus announced today (Apr. 28) that it will be changing the price for its new OnePlus Watch 3 down to $349.99 in the U.S.

Earlier this month, the company opened sales for a watch with an eye-watering $500 price tag only in the U.S., while all other countries where the watch was being sold kept the original price.

While we didn't receive any official word from the company regarding the reasoning behind the unexpected price increase for the wearable, it was assumed that it had something to do with the U.S.-China trade war, specifically President Trump's imposition of a 145% tariff on products imported from China.

However, it was later announced that all electronics were exempted from these tariffs, which came as a relief to many.

In an email to Android Central, the company's Head of Marketing & Communications, Spenser Blank, confirmed that the price was "increased to $499.99 in the U.S. due to the current market conditions."

Without getting into the details of the tariffs situation, Blank said that OnePlus made recent adjustments to its supply chain, which has allowed it to bring back with reduced prices for the Watch 3 in the U.S.

"The OnePlus Watch 3 in the U.S. is now available at its new price of $349.99; this is the final MSRP price and will not be changed going forward," Blank added.

The company also stated that it will be refunding the additional $150 for those who bought the Watch 3 for $499.99 this month.

"OnePlus will refund them the difference to their original payment method, and they will be contacted directly by the OnePlus Customer Support team."

"This change reflects our effort to be transparent, responsive, and committed to bringing the OnePlus Watch 3 to the U.S at a competitive price point, despite the ongoing market conditions." Blank further explained.

The OnePlus Watch 3 is available via the company's official website with the adjusted pricing. According to AC's Nick Sutrich, the OnePlus Watch 3 is one of the best Wear OS watches you can buy today. It shows up with a long battery life, impressive health tracking, and an all-new rotating crown.

Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly listed the Watch 3's price as $350. The announced price was $330, and the article has been updated to reflect this correction.

What you need to know

• A 43mm OnePlus Watch 3 model has appeared with an FCC listing.
• OnePlus will likely use the Oppo Watch X2 Mini as the template for its smaller OnePlus Watch 3.
• This watch should mirror the Watch 3 performance and sensors, but with a 1.32-inch display.
• We also fear it should have a higher-than-average price due to tariffs.

OnePlus only just launched its Watch 3 in the U.S., and now it appears it'll waste no time launching a smaller model based on the Oppo Watch X2 Mini.

91Mobiles spotted an FCC certification for a 43mm OnePlus Watch with the model number OPWE242. It measures 48.03 x 43.14mm, which is taller but slimmer than the 46.6 x 47.6mm OnePlus Watch 3, and will have a 345mAh capacity. The FCC figures also show the rotating crown.

The Oppo Watch X2 Mini was announced last week with the exact same 345mAh capacity and an estimated 3-day battery life. It sports a 1.32-inch AMOLED display with 60Hz refresh rate and 2,200 nits of brightness.

Aside from the larger 1.5-inch display and 631mAh capacity, the 47mm Watch 3 and this Oppo watch have identical Snapdragon W5 and BES2800 MCU chips, 2GB/32GB memory, health sensors, IP68 resistance, and display quality.

That's why it's fair to assume that this 43mm OnePlus Watch 3 will match the Watch X2 Mini specs — though the U.S. version isn't likely to share its eSIM support.

In fact, X leaker Abhishek Yadav (via Techradar) suggested last week that the "Oppo Watch X2 Mini will launch as a rebadged OnePlus Watch 3 Mini in India and globally."

Earlier this year, Dr. Leo Zhang, OnePlus's head of R&D for Health, promised that they were "working on" a smaller OnePlus Watch 3 because the current version "remains heavy for a small wrist." But we weren't expecting OnePlus and Oppo to deliver this mini-watch so quickly.

GSMArena reports that the Oppo Watch X2 Mini will weigh 37.8g without the 18mm strap, while the Watch 3 weighs 49.7g and uses a 22mm strap. The weight difference should be significant.

The OnePlus Watch 3 'Mini' or '3R' could be a battery game-changer — depending on the price

We don't know if this 43mm model will be called "OnePlus Watch 3 Mini" or if the "OnePlus Watch 3" will simply come in two sizes. It's also possible it could be called the OnePlus Watch 3R, as the successor to the Watch 2R.

Whatever it's called, this model isn't actually that "mini" — the Galaxy Watch 7 40mm and Pixel Watch 3 41mm weigh 7–9g less — but it uses that extra weight for about 40mAh of extra capacity. Samsung and Google's watches are rated to last 1–2 days; we're excited to see if this new OnePlus Watch 3 can truly last three days on Wear OS.

At 345mAh, this watch has 286mAh less capacity than the 47mm Watch 3 model, which lasts five days. If OnePlus successfully delivers three days in a smaller package, it'll pressure other Wear OS watch brands to deliver better battery life, too.

Truly, the only question is price. The Oppo model costs CNY 1,799, or about $249 converted. But OnePlus bumped its Watch 3 price from $330 to $500 without explanation. Tariff concerns are the most likely reason, whether or not Chinese smartwatches are exempted from tariffs.

If this watch gets its own 50% price boost, it would put the 43mm OnePlus Watch 3 at about $375, which is pricey but not too far from the $350 Pixel Watch 3. If the price creeps any higher, it could impact how many people choose to buy one, even if it's one of the best Android smartwatches.

What you need to know

• The OnePlus Watch 3's went on sale in the U.S. and it seems like it came with a different price tag.
• The OnePlus Watch 3 was supposed to be sold at $330 however, it looks like the company is now selling the same watch for $499.99.
• While we don't know why OnePlus chose to increase the cost of its smartwatch, but we speculate that it could have something to do with U.S.'s tariffs

No, this is not a typo, but the OnePlus Watch 3 is open for users to buy as of April 10, but it comes with a huge price tag in the U.S.

Let's back up for a bit. In February, a Reddit user noticed a minor error with the wearable. The company ended up engraving "Meda in China" instead of "Made in China" on the first batch of wearables that went out.

After that, the company announced in a press release that it would be pushing the open sale of the Watch 3 from Feb.25 to "sometime in April 2025." The company needed some time to fix the typo that "slipped through" its first batch of watches. And it looks like today's the day that a China-based company decided to open sales for its smartwatch.

While people who wanted to get their hands on this wearable in the U.S. may see a massive surge in the pricing, the smartwatch which was initially supposed to cost $330, is now priced at $499— a $170 bump(as first spotted by Android Police).

While we don't know for sure why the company suddenly chose to increase the price of its smartwatch without any communication, there's some chatter that it could be a typo or that the recently announced U.S.-China tariffs could be at play. Starting today, President Donald Trump has levied a 145% tariff on products being imported from China, including electronics.

OnePlus told Android Central in an email "We don't have any additional information to share at this time." Hinting at the possibility that it could be due to the rising tensions between China and the U.S. due to this trade war.

But if you do plan on buying the OnePlus Watch 3, you could head to the company's official website.

(Update 2/21 1:01 PM): OnePlus finally took to X to address concerns about the glaring typo on its Watch 3.

What you need to know

• OnePlus just launched its Watch 3 and those who have received the watch already have noticed a glaring typo.
• The back panel of the Watch 3 reads "Meda in China" instead of "Made in China." which somehow seems to have skipped the company's quality check.
• It remains unclear if this error is confined to the earliest batch of these wearables or if it hadn't been noticed until now.

The OnePlus Watch 3 launched yesterday and while we're still soaking in all the new features, one user on Reddit has noticed a minor error with the wearable.

It has nothing to do with the Watch 3 itself, but with a typo on the back panel. The company ended up engraving "Meda in China" instead of "Made in China," on these wearables (first reported by Android Authority). While this may seem like a minor issue, it raises questions about how the Watch 3 cleared final quality checks.

While not many people have been able to get their hands on this wearable as official sales don't begin until February 25, the first few who did receive this batch seemed to have got the ones with the typo. This includes Android Central's Nick Sutrich, who also received the watch from the typo- batch.

The Reddit thread showcased mixed reactions from users. Some made fun of this odd situation, while others expressed their disappointment with the company's oversight and attention to detail.

What's more, Android Authority noted this same typo on Watch 3 renders located on OnePlus's website. The site suggested this typo might somehow be intentional, though a simpler alternative is that the error has been copy-pasted in multiple places.

OnePlus has yet to comment on this mistake. Android Central has reached out to them to check if this typo will be corrected on the other watches that will soon be on sale. We will update this article once we have more information.

Typo aside, the OnePlus Watch 3 has mostly attracted positive attention this week thanks to its powerful five-day battery life, backed by the same OnePlus Silicon NanoStack Battery as the OnePlus 13, and several key upgrades over the Watch 2. But we did also note that the Watch 3's software updates will be slower and fewer than the Galaxy and Pixel Watches; this should have a more lasting impact than a typo that'll be hidden by your wrist.

Update

OnePlus took to X (formerly Twitter) to put all the chatter to rest around the hilarious typo it made with the first batch of the Watch 3, stating it was completely unintentional.

"A typo slipped through and made its way onto your shiny new OnePlus Watch 3," the company said. And if users seem to have received one that says "Meda" on the wearable, they have one of two options. Users can keep it as a 'super limited edition' or return it to the company for a brand new one — minus the typo of course.

What you need to know

• Rumors on X state the OnePlus Watch 3 will "launch soon" in global markets outside of China.
• The tipster lists the watch's upcoming launch alongside the global debut of the OnePlus 13 and 13R, though it's unclear if they will all roll out together.
• Early Watch 3 rumors suggest it could arrive with a 500mAh battery, LTE, and eSIM support.

OnePlus rolled out its 2024 smartwatch early this year; however, a new set of rumors claims it's looking to double dip.

According to a post on X by Yogesh Brar, OnePlus is gearing up to launch its next flagship smartwatch with some friends (via Android Authority). Brar states in their post that the OnePlus Watch 3 will "launch soon in global markets." Unfortunately, they don't state how soon consumers can expect this device, especially considering we're a week out from December.

The X post states the Watch 3 is a part of the Chinese OEM's "upcoming product schedule," and alludes to some additional devices.

Brar lists the next watch alongside the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R series phones.

The publication notes that the OnePlus 13R didn't join the top-of-the-line model during its launch at the end of October. This development is curious, to say the least, as we're unsure how OnePlus will go about releasing these three devices in global markets since one hasn't appeared on home soil (China).

A perfect scenario would see them all dropped at once globally, but the odds of that could be lower than we want.

Whispers about a OnePlus Watch 3 started earlier this summer when it appeared for its TENAA certification. Leaked specs suggest the watch will sport LTE and eSIM support alongside a strong 500mAh battery like its predecessor. Additionally, it seems the watch could feature 10W wired charging.

Considering how recently the Watch 2 debuted, those earlier rumors felt closer to a variant rather than a jump in the series.

On the other hand, the "launching soon" rumor sort of makes sense when you consider the one-month launch difference for the OnePlus 13. The phone debuted in China on October 31, which was a month and some change earlier than the OnePlus 12's December 5 launch last year. A global launch for that device is expected sooner since it's already out in its home China market.

With that, perhaps we're looking at a December rollout for the OnePlus 13 overseas — but that's just speculation. For context, the OnePlus 12R rolled out in January 2024, a month after the top-tier model. In any case, these devices might slowly trickle out in a similar cadence to OnePlus' past.

As always, we'll have to wait and see.

The information you'll get from the Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. OnePlus Watch 2 comparison will hopefully help you choose your next smartwatch. Each wearable has its strengths and weaknesses, but it all comes down to what features are more important to you.

The OnePlus Watch 2 has been out for a while now, while the Google Pixel Watch 3 is pretty new. Time will tell if the latest Pixel watch is the best Android wearable, but regardless of that, it still has a lot to offer. Here is what each smartwatch has to offer.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. OnePlus Watch 2: Design and display

Companies try to make their smartwatches as tempting as possible with features that entice you to buy them. For example, Google gives users more options with the Pixel Watch 3 by offering 41mm or 45 mm models. The 41mm model measures 41 x 12.3mm and weighs 31 grams without the band. However, if bigger is better for you, the 45mm model measures 45 x 12.3mm and weighs 37 grams without the band.

Google has made the Pixel Watch band available in different colors, such as Porcelain Active, Polished Silver, Rose Quartz, Champagne Gold with a Hazel band, or Matte Black with an Obsidian band. The 45mm model is available in Polished Silver/Porcelain, Matte Black/Obsidian, or Matte Hazel/Hazel Active. 

Google made the Pixel Watch 3 out of 100% recycled aluminum. The latest Pixel Watch also has a haptic crown with a side button, and you can't forget about the built-in mic and speaker. Thanks to the 5ATM and IP68 water and dust-resistant rating, you can shower with it without worrying about damaging it.

You'll enjoy the wearable's 1.27-inch (41mm or 1.46-inch (45mm) AMOLED display, which offers a 320ppi pixel density on both models. The display tops off at 2,000 nits of brightness alongside a custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

The OnePlus Watch 2, on the other hand, is available in only one 46mm size and two colors, Radiant Steel and Black Steel. You don't get as many color options with OnePlus, but it still has a very elegant design. OnePlus made the watch out of stainless steel with a fluoro rubber band and stainless steel buckle.

The Watch 2 measures 47 x 46.6 x 12.1mm (including the 13.65 mm PPG sensor) and weighs 49 grams, excluding the wristband. You can easily change the band and choose from the best OnePlus Watch 2 bands. Its brightness doesn't match that of its Pixel competitor since it only reaches 600 nits. Thanks to the 5ATM/IP68 rating, you can shower with your watch without worrying about water damage.

This fancy wearable has a 1.43-inch display with a 466 x 466 resolution, 326 ppi pixel density, 60Hz refresh rate,  and 2.5D Sapphire Crystal cover plate. These specifications give you excellent brightness levels under direct sunlight. 

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. OnePlus Watch 2: Hardware and battery

The 45mm Google Pixel 3 option features a bigger 420mAh battery than the 41mm option, which has a smaller 307mAh capacity. Google claims that both models should last up to 24 hours. However, Battery Saver mode can allow you to use the wearable for as long as 36 hours. The 41mm model charges fully in an hour, while the bigger option will need about 80 minutes.

The Pixel Watch 3 has the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 SoC and a Cortex M33 co-processor on both models to help with everyday tasks. Both sizes include 2GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. GPS, Galileo, and Glonass are featured in both sizes. Google also added sensors such as gyroscopes, barometers, magnetometers, etcetera.

The OnePlus Watch 2 is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 and the BES 2700 chip. It has a bigger 500mAh battery that aims to provide 100 hours of uptime with power-saving features. This watch also packs in many sensors such as a barometer, accelerometer, gyroscope, optical heart rate sensor, and more. The OnePlus Watch 2 matches the Pixel's 2GB RAM and 32GB storage.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. OnePlus Watch 2: Connectivity and software

The Google Pixel Watch 3 features WearOS 5.0 and can track vitals such as SpO2, ECG, heart rate, EDA, sleep, skin temperature, activity, and more. You can use the Pixel Watch to track more than 40 distinct exercises and get readiness insights, such as whether you should rest instead of going on that run.

This excellent running watch includes custom runs with cues like cooldown, pacing, warmup, and real-time guidance with audio and haptic cues. You also get informative performance insights. Google AI analyzes your goals, but you need a Fitbit Premium subscription for that. The good news is that Google throws in a six-month free trial with your Pixel Watch 3 purchase.

If you're using a Pixel phone, such as the Pixel 9 Pro XL or the Pixel 8 Pro, you can use the Pixel Watch 3 to control its camera. You can even use the watch as a viewfinder and switch between different camera modes. You can also view the feed of a compatible Nest Cam and access Google TV.

The Pixel Watch also has diverse connectivity specs such as Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, UWB, LTE (upgrade), GPS, Galileo, Glonass, (ROW) Beidou, QZSS, Navic, and NFC contactless payments. Google also bundles in two years of free cellular data using Google Fi, but you only get a paltry 500MB of data before you see the download speed capped.

The OnePlus Watch 2 has WearOS 4, and you can use its dual-band GPS (L5 + L1), which is fantastic for pinpointing your location outdoors. Other useful features include Bluetooth 5.0, QZSS support, and RTOS, which optimizes battery life for small tasks.

Using the OHealth app, you can collect all the health data you need to monitor your health. For example, if you play badminton, you can see how strong and fast your swing is. You can also get detailed data with the sleep-tracking analysis, such as your deep sleep, REM, and wake times. 

Unfortunately, there is no LTE model of the OnePlus Watch 2, but it does offer connectivity options such as Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, GPS (Dual-frequency L1 + L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, and BeiDou.

Google Pixel Watch 3 vs. OnePlus Watch 2: Which one is THE one?

The watch you go with will depend on the specs you need it to have. For example, if LTE is necessary, your choice might be the Google Pixel 3 since it has an LTE version, unlike the OnePlus Watch, which does not. You also get two size options with the Pixel Watch, while you only get on with the Watch 2. You get one more year of OS updates with the Pixel Watch and have more colors to choose from.

The OnePlus Watch 2 has a bigger battery than the Pixel Watch 3, so if it's important not to have to charge your watch as often, you might want to go with the Watch 2. Which one are you more inclined to get?

If you compare the OnePlus Watch 2 vs. OnePlus Watch, you'll see a perfect example of a company taking its average, poorly received first-generation device and fixing many of its issues with the next version. 

The original OnePlus Watch was an odd device. It had the look and feel of a traditional smartwatch, but used OnePlus' proprietary RTOS software and lacked the app suite that Android watch fans expected. That made it more of a fitness watch in function, only without the fitness tools you'd get from more specialized brands and a much heavier stainless steel design.

With the OnePlus Watch 2, you get a hybrid interface that uses the low-power RTOS system for basic tasks but a Snapdragon W5 chip with more RAM for more demanding duties like Wear OS app support. The stylish design now has better durability and functionality to go with it. And while the battery life falls as a result, it's still significantly longer than that of your typical Android smartwatch.

Below, we'll break down everything that's improved from the OnePlus Watch to the Watch 2. You'll have plenty of clear reasons for why you'll want to upgrade, even if the Watch 2 has its own issues.

OnePlus Watch 2 vs. OnePlus Watch: Design and display

The OnePlus Watch 2 is 4g heavier and 1.2mm thicker than the OnePlus Watch, most likely due to the combination of extra processor, memory, and battery space that OnePlus needed to pack into the newer model. OnePlus said it wanted a "timeless aesthetic" with its original design, which passes on to the newer model. 

In either case, thanks to the stainless steel design, you're getting an especially heavy watch. At least the OnePlus Watch 2 gives you a MIL-STD-810H rating, so you're certain it can withstand punishment, plus sapphire glass to guard against scratches. 

Although both watches have two buttons, OnePlus made the top-right button a crown on the OnePlus Watch 2. Bizarrely, this crown is "purely for aesthetics, and you can't actually use the digital crown to navigate the interface," as our reviewer noted. We're hoping OnePlus resolves this "missed opportunity" and patches in the functionality down the line.

The OnePlus Watch 2 display is just 1mm larger than the OnePlus Watch's, with essentially the same pixels per inch as before. What's changed is that the Watch 2 now hits up to 1,000 nits of brightness and a set refresh rate of 60Hz. That's twice as bright as the OnePlus Watch, and OnePlus never shared its (undoubtedly lower) original refresh rate. 

Although many of the latest smartwatches have jumped to 2,000 nits — the Galaxy Watch 6 and Apple Watch Series 9, for example — the OnePlus Watch 2 is at least comparable to most brands, while the original was bright enough to be useable but dim by today's standards. 

In addition, only the OnePlus Watch 2 has an always-on display (AOD) mode, which — according to our testers — will drain only 5% of battery per day versus disabling it, a perfectly reasonable trade-off for such a long-lived watch. With the OnePlus Watch, you're stuck tapping the display or lifting your wrist to check the time. 

Our only wish is that the OnePlus Watch 2 had shrunk the "sizeable bezel" around the display, a trait shared with its predecessor.

Both watches use a soft and flexible fluoroelastomer strap that softens the effect of the watch's weight; one Watch 2 tester assured us that it's "quite comfortable, despite the size," with "plenty of adjustability," and that he didn't mind sleeping with it. 

OnePlus Watch 2 vs. OnePlus Watch: Hardware and battery life

As mentioned above, the OnePlus Watch 2 uses the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset, the same CPU found in the Pixel Watch 2, along with a mobile computing unit (MCU) designed for low-power tasks like measuring health data or checking notifications. 

Google designed the new "hybrid" Wear OS 4 so that the OnePlus Watch 2 can use its old RTOS interface for these background tasks without using much battery life, only using the Snapdragon chip and Wear OS interface for mainline tasks. That helps it hit an estimated 100-hour maximum battery life.

OnePlus sent us two Watch 2 units for testing, and both reviewers have found that it lives up to that estimate in real-life use, though it's closer to three days if you enable AOD mode. It's an amazing perk considering most Android watches last 24 to 40 hours. 

They also called it "super speedy and smooth" in performance, no doubt thanks to the doubled RAM. It's impressive how, behind the scenes, "you don't really notice the switchover between the BES2700 and W5" when swapping from low- to high-power applications.

Now, the OnePlus Watch easily wins the battery life battle, lasting over a week per charge and regaining days' worth of charge in 20 minutes. But that only applies because, like your typical fitness watch, RTOS lacks the processing power or heavy-duty tasks to use much battery life. You have less incentive to wear it to begin with.

With the OnePlus Watch 2, it takes an hour to jump from 0–100%, twice as fast as your typical Android watch — though only if you have a OnePlus charging brick for the fastest speeds. Generally speaking, it's comparable to the OnePlus Watch in speed.

Running through the other OnePlus Watch 2 vs. OnePlus Watch differences, we'll start with location tracking. Both watches support most of the same satellite systems, but only the OnePlus Watch 2 supports dual-frequency GPS tracking to better pinpoint your location during outdoor workouts. It also adds QZSS support.

We haven't yet tested OnePlus' GPS accuracy compared to dedicated fitness brands like Garmin with dual-frequency, but we're optimistic that it'll be much better than most GPS-only watches. Aside from the expensive Apple Watch Ultra 2, you'll rarely find a mainline smartwatch with dual-frequency tracking. 

In terms of connectivity, only the OnePlus Watch 2 supports wi-fi downloads, while the OnePlus Watch only synced over Bluetooth. 

Since the original OnePlus Watch was a fitness-focused smartwatch, it did quite well in this area, and the Watch 2 doesn't have any significant upgrades in terms of sensors. Both watches track heart rate, blood oxygen data, and stress levels, along with an altimeter to judge elevation gain during workouts and a compass for navigation. 

Unfortunately, neither has AFib detection or skin temperature sleep data you'd get on other Android watch models. Plus, our OnePlus Watch 2 reviewer complained that certain data like sleep metrics, stress data, and calories burned were all significantly off. 

OnePlus Watch 2 vs. OnePlus Watch: Software

The OnePlus Watch has your standard set of watch apps: a local music player, alarm clock, weather service, timer, stopwatch, flashlight, compass, and barometer. Our reviewer noted that the lack of third-party apps and "barebones" health app meant there was "not a lot to work with here" to justify actually using the watch. 

He also complained about the inconsistent notification system. Some apps had their notifications muted by default until you enabled them. In other cases, an app set for silent notifications on your phone would still buzz your wrist. And at launch, the OnePlus Watch only had four set replies to notifications, with no option for custom replies. 

Move on to the OnePlus Watch 2, however, and you get a full suite of Wear OS apps through the Play Store, access to Google Assistant, a built-in keyboard for replies, and a slightly more polished notification system. 

Unfortunately, our Watch 2 reviewer felt that some of the RTOS issues from the first watch carried over to the second-gen model, such as issues with invisible notifications, no automatic syncing between his watch and phone's DND mode, and no option to automatically toggle sleep mode — so the watch would light up at night and wake him up if he forgot to turn it on.

"It would have just been easier if OnePlus just went with Wear OS on the Watch 2," our reviewer lamented. The trade-off for the Watch 2's battery life gains is that it kept some of the issues of the original, instead of relying on Google's more polished interface.

OnePlus Watch 2 vs. OnePlus Watch: Should you upgrade?

Yes. To quote directly from our Watch 2 review: "The OnePlus Watch was the worst wearable I ever used, and while the Watch 2 isn't short of software foibles, it is immeasurably better than its predecessor — this is a watch that you can actually use reliably." That pretty much says it all.

The 2021 OnePlus Watch had some intriguing perks, but it was very obviously a first-generation device, with finicky software slapped into a rebranded OPPO Watch RX lent to OnePlus by its parent company. It was too expensive compared to the best fitness watches, but not powerful enough to compete with other well-known Android watches. 

The OnePlus Watch 2 probably isn't in the conversation for the best Android watch compared to Google, Samsung, and Mobvoi, thanks to the software issues we've noticed. But it's still a significant improvement, one earned by OnePlus' hard work over the last couple of years.  

The only reason not to upgrade is that you may have bought the OnePlus Watch for fitness, and you may not like the shorter battery life. But in that case, you may accept that trade-off in exchange for better durability, dual-frequency GPS, and access to third-party fitness apps like Strava through the Play Store. 

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

It may not be the newest wearable out there, but the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is still as impressive as ever. It offers advanced health/fitness tracking, built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, optional LTE connectivity, electrocardiogram (ECG), NFC payments, and more.

OnePlus Watch

The primary reason for buying the OnePlus Watch is the affordable price tag. If you're new to wearables, it could be what you're looking for. It has GPS, heart-rate monitoring, activity/sleep tracking, and other useful features. However, it falls short in terms of smartwatch perks.

OnePlus Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: Similar in appearance only

While many Android smartwatches tend to look alike, it's almost uncanny how similar in appearance the OnePlus Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 are. Considering how popular the Watch Active 2 has been for the last two years, this isn't all that surprising. However, it's important to note that most similarities end there.

The OnePlus Watch is a stunning wearable with long battery life, which is a great starting point for a new smartwatch. Unfortunately, it lacks some key features that make a smartwatch smart. The good news is that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 fills in all the gaps left behind by the OnePlus Watch. Not only is it full of activity and health tracking perks, but you also get some excellent smartwatch features.

The OnePlus Watch is a letdown in some important areas

One look at the OnePlus Watch, and you can see that it offers an attractive design that's not cutting any corners. You get a gorgeous 46mm stainless steel case and a 1.39-inch AMOLED display. You also get a flexible fluoroelastomer strap compatible with 22mm interchangeable bands. So whenever you feel like changing up the look or feel of your watch, simply swap out your OnePlus Watchband.

If you've used a smartwatch before, you know that most of them run on an operating system such as Wear OS or Tizen OS. The OnePlus Watch strays from this path and runs RTOS, which stands for real-time operating system. Other devices such as Amazfit have used RTOS, but it's not the most popular choice these days. Unlike Amazfit, the OnePlus Watch cannot pair with iOS.

If you're not familiar with how RTOS works, it uses pre-determined time constraints when executing tasks, like launching apps and taking heart-rate measurements. In other operating systems, it's not uncommon for watches to lag due to the extra effort required to execute tasks. The good news is that RTOS leads to snappy, fluid performance without too many slowdowns. OnePlus says it decided to go with a real-time operating system so the watch would offer longer battery life.

As you can see, there are some benefits to a watch running RTOS. With that said, every system has its drawbacks. In the case of the OnePlus Watch, smartwatch features are much more limited. Perhaps one of the biggest Oneplus Watch bummers is the lack of third-party app support. You'll also see that notification support isn't what it should be. For example, a notification that's already been cleared on your phone tends to still show up on your watch.

Despite missing some important marks, the OnePlus Watch quickly sold out after it was announced. If you want to enjoy the main benefit of RTOS — 14 days of battery life — the OnePlus Watch may be a good fit for you. As long as you understand that you won't get the full smartwatch experience, you shouldn't be too disappointed.

Aside from extended battery life, the OnePlus Watch has other nice features, including built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, factivity/sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, music storage, and mic/speaker support for Bluetooth calls. Unfortunately, it may have a mic and speaker, but you don't get a voice assistant. The OnePlus Watch doesn't have an always-on display, either. Finally, you won't have support for NFC payments.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 checks all the right boxes

Whether or not you're an avid smartwatch user, you've probably heard of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. It's been around for nearly two years, and it's still one of the most talked-about wearables on the market. It has all the essentials and more, including built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, advanced health/fitness tracking, Samsung Pay, and optional LTE connectivity.

The watch comes in both a 40mm and 44mm case. If you opt for a standard Bluetooth model, it will come in an aluminum case. The LTE models come in a stainless steel case. Both variants offer a crisp AMOLED display and a digital rotating bezel for smooth navigation. You'll also appreciate that Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 bands are compatible with 20mm interchangeable straps.

Samsung states that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is equipped with a more accurate LED-based heart-rate monitor, an advanced accelerometer, and improved GPS accuracy. These are just a few reasons it's one of the best smartwatches for fitness. It runs on Tizen OS, so you'll have an all-around smooth experience. It may not be a Wear OS watch like the new Galaxy Watch 4, but it's still very efficient.

You'll find other useful features on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. For example, it has an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, which can detect irregular heartbeats that may signify a more serious condition. After completing the one-time calibration with a cuff-based blood pressure monitor, it can also provide blood pressure readings.

We'd be remiss not to mention the Running Analysis feature, designed to help you become a better runner. You'll also be able to work on improving your form. The Watch Active 2 can measure VO2 max, which indicates the maximum amount of oxygen you can use during intense activity. This is instrumental in determining your fitness and performance capacity while helping you increase your endurance.

It's not the newest model in the Galaxy Watch lineup, but the Active 2 still has plenty to offer. More importantly, Samsung is still committed to providing essential updates to this watch. The most recent update brings some of the Galaxy Watch 4 features over to the Active 2. For example, users will now have access to advanced fall detection, which will send an SOS notification to your pre-selected contacts if a fall is detected.

If you're someone who enjoys customizing your wearable, you'll appreciate that this update also brings new watch faces to the mix. Additionally, a new Group Challenge feature lets users add their friends and family members to a Challenge. You can either come together as a team or compete against one another.

OnePlus Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: Which should you buy?

When the time comes to choose between the two, you'll want to consider a few key factors. Cost is often one of the main concerns. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a bit more expensive than the OnePlus Watch, so that's something to think about. The primary selling point of the OnePlus Watch is its stellar battery life. If you don't want to be bothered with frequent charging, this might be the right option for you. Just remember that you're not getting the full smartwatch experience due to RTOS and the lack of app support.

If you don't mind spending a bit of extra money for the full smartwatch experience, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the better pick. The only major drawback is more frequent charging, which some users may be able to live with. The OnePlus Watch may have copied the Active 2's design, but it doesn't measure up to the real thing. In addition to a robust health and fitness tracking suite, you also get optional LTE connectivity, NFC payments, app support, and more.

There are many reasons to consider buying the new OnePlus Watch, especially if you're seeking a budget-friendly smartwatch. Your next task will be finding a suitable watch band for it! Whether you're looking for something casual and comfortable or you'd prefer something formal and attractive, we've got you covered. Check out the best OnePlus Watch bands we've rounded up for you!

Best OnePlus Watch bands: Choose your style

It might not be quite as advanced as some of the other best Android smartwatches on the market right now, but the OnePlus Watch is great for active individuals. If you are using your watch to record workouts, you'll need a comfortable but strong watch band.

The Morsey Soft Silicone Band is ideal for those who plan to do lots of exercising with their device. It's got a permeable design that ensures maximum airflow when you need it most. You can rest assured that this is the best OnePlus watch band for those who want their skin to breathe freely without any irritation.

If you're content with the fluoroelastomer band that comes with the OnePlus Watch, then you might be on the hunt for something more suitable for special occasions. After all, you might not feel right wearing a silicone sport band to a dinner party!

You'll feel much better with something more stylish such as the TRUMiRR stainless steel bands. These are the best OnePlus Watch bands for fashion fans. You get two bands, one is solid metal, and the other is woven mesh. They come in an array of colors, so you can pick the one that matches your personal style. As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from. All that's left to do is find the one that will provide the experience you're looking for.

My family is obsessed with the world of Harry Potter. I went through the first four books in a week back when I was a teenager, and lined up at a local bookstore to pick up Order of the Phoenix on launch day. I was so eager to get started that I read the first 100 pages at the bookstore itself (I wasn't the only one), and I did the same for the following books in the series.

So when OnePlus said it was launching a Harry Potter variant of the OnePlus Watch and asked if I'd be interested in taking a look, I immediately agreed. I did so knowing full well that the standard model of the OnePlus Watch is inherently flawed; it fails at basic tasks, doesn't integrate with services I actually use, and the interface is laughably amateurish.

So if you're thinking that OnePlus somehow sorted out the issues for the Harry Potter version, you'd be mistaken. This smartwatch has the same set of downsides, so if you want a wearable you'd want to use daily, you should take a look at the best Android smartwatches instead. Oh, and there's the little matter that this edition is limited to India, so buying it is a moot point anyway if you're reading this from outside the country.

As such, I'll focus on how the OnePlus Watch Harry Potter edition holds up as a collectible. I know that there's enough of an audience for Harry Potter in India that there shouldn't be any issues in finding interested buyers. And in that context, there is a lot to like.

Let's start with the design: the Harry Potter version comes in a bronze finish that immediately makes the smartwatch look very elegant. I had no issues with the design of the standard model (that was one of the few things I liked about it), but the bronze color scheme elevates the look and feel of the smartwatch.

The vegan leather band also adds to that look; it feels great on-hand and you'll find the Hogwarts crest embossed on the band. There are subtle design tweaks elsewhere: the words Harry Potter are inscribed on the outside of the clasp, and there's a lightning bolt icon on the power button.

Other embellishments include six unique watch faces: four for each of the Hogwarts houses, one of the castle, and a face with the Hogwarts crest. Curiously, the faces don't include the names of the houses but are labeled Snake, Lion, Badger, and Eagle. The crest is far and above the best one of the lot, with the yellow color scheme pairing very well with the bronze design of the OnePlus Watch Harry Potter edition.

OnePlus also designed a charging animation that is very intriguing, and the packaging consists of a large box that splits in the middle — it's styled to look like the secret entrance to Diagon Alley.

Other than the design changes and the custom faces, the hardware itself is unchanged from the standard model. That means you get a 1.39-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 454 x 454 and with a 2.5D curved glass design, 4GB of internal storage, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and a 402mAh battery.

Now, one of the biggest issues with the standard OnePlus Watch when it launched was that it didn't have an always-on mode. OnePlus fixed that particular issue a few weeks down the line, and while it's disabled out of the box, you can easily toggle the mode from the settings. There is a noticeable hit on battery life, but you'll at least be able to see the time and date throughout the day, and that's fundamental to a smartwatch.

The heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring works relatively well, and the smartwatch has 5ATM water resistance along with an IP68 rating that allows it to handle extreme weather. There's also Spotify integration now, but the way it is handled is clunky.

In fact, the RTOS interface as a whole feels like it was cobbled together in a few weeks; it is fluid, but it lacks a lot of the features that you'd want in a smartwatch in this category. There's no digital assistant integration, and activity tracking is inconsistent for various modes — there are a total of 110 exercise modes, and it would have been much better if it had a tenth of those modes but if they worked well.

I used a lot of smartwatches at both ends of the pricing scale this year — starting with the $50 Mi Band 6 and going all the way to the $530 Apple Watch Series 7 — and the one thing that's always evident when I switch back to the OnePlus Watch is that it doesn't feel cohesive. To be sure, Amazfit and other RTOS smartwatches aren't what I'd call refined, but they have a strong feature-set and affordability, and that's still missing with the OnePlus Watch.

OnePlus introduced a lot of limited edition products over the last five years, and they've all been thoroughly enjoyable. The OnePlus 5T Star Wars continues to be one of my favorite phones, and the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition has an understated elegance that serves as a nice contrast to its ostentatious packaging.

The OnePlus Watch Harry Potter edition is very good in the sense that it has a unique design and comes with a lot of features that will delight Harry Potter fans. However, as a product you'll use day-to-day, it just isn't worth the hassle; there are much better smartwatches for just about every use case.

But if you like the world of Harry Potter and are looking to buy it as a collectible, you should definitely get your hands on this — I would've done the same if OnePlus didn't send one over. Coming in at ₹16,999 ($225), it is just ₹2,000 ($25) more than the standard model, and that's not bad at all considering it is sold in limited quantities.

What you need to know

• The OnePlus Watch Harry Potter Limited Edition is now official.
• It comes with a vegan leather watch strap and exclusive watch faces from Hogwarts houses.
• The limited edition watch will be available to purchase in India from October 21 for ₹16,999 (about $226).

Back in May this year, OnePlus introduced a special limited edition version of its first smartwatch, called the OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition. The company has now launched another special edition variant of the smartwatch for consumers in India, dubbed the OnePlus Watch Harry Potter Limited Edition.

The special version of the OnePlus Watch is the result of a collaboration between OnePlus and Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP). Designed for Harry Potter fans, the watch offers six custom watch faces, including four based around the Hogwarts school houses. You also get a Harry Potter-themed charging animation, a copper-colored case, and a vegan leather watch strap.

As expected, the OnePlus Watch Harry Potter Limited Edition is identical to the regular version in other areas. The smartwatch has a circular 1.39-inch display and offers over 110 different exercise modes. Some of the other major highlights of OnePlus' answer to the best Android smartwatches include 5ATM water resistance, real-time blood oxygen monitoring, built-in GPS, and Warp Charge fast charging.

The OnePlus Watch Harry Potter Limited Edition has priced at ₹16,999 (about $226) in India, ₹2,000 more than the regular version. It will be available via OnePlus India's online store, OnePlus Store app, Red Cable Club app, and offline OnePlus Experience stores across the country from October 21 at 12 p.m. IST. An early access sale for the watch will be held on the OnePlus Store app at 12 p.m. IST on October 20.

OnePlus Watch

While it isn't the best smartwatch on the market, the OnePlus Watch does offer a premium design and reliable battery life. It also has built-in GPS and blood oxygen monitoring.

• $159 at OnePlus
• ₹14,999 at Amazon India

What you need to know

• A new update is rolling out to the OnePlus Watch today.
• The update adds a special 'Spotify music mode' along with four new watch faces.
• OnePlus is also providing a few optimizations to improve sleep detection and vibration intensity.

If you were hoping that the OnePlus Watch was going to end up as one of the best Android smartwatches, you're in luck. Another update is rolling out to the Watch, bringing with it a dedicated Spotify 'music mode' to let you sync Spotify playlists, along with four new watch faces. But perhaps even more importantly, the update includes improved optimizations for sleep tracking.

Along with the new watch faces and sleep optimization, OnePlus also makes it possible to view navigation directions right from your wrist. This is one of those quality-of-life features that makes it easier to know where you need to go instead of just grabbing your OnePlus 9 Pro or other Android phones.

The entire changelog of the B.65 update was posted to the OnePlus Forums, as users began receiving the update:

• Spotify music mode, sync your Spotify playlist.
• Support real-time display of some navigation, easy to watch the navigation by raising your hand.
• Add 4 new watch faces, enjoy your new style!
• Support mobile phone alarm reminder linkage.
• Optimize the sleep algorithm and make sleep detection smarter.
• The vibration intensity can be adjusted in the watch setting to experience stronger vibration reminders.

This update comes a little more than a month after the last one, which attempted to fix problems surrounding inconsistent GPS readings. It seems that despite its shortcomings in using RTOS over Wear OS, the OnePlus Watch continues to be a success. The smartwatch is regularly "out of stock" on the OnePlus website, so it's clear that the popularity of the wearable is high.

If you're looking for the update on your OnePlus Watch, it should arrive in the next few days. You will receive a notification once it's available for download, or you can check for an update yourself by heading into the OnePlus Health app with your Watch paired to your phone.

What you need to know

• A new update is rolling out to the OnePlus Watch with version B.62.
• The update includes a few changes to the UI along with a potential for GPS issues.
• OnePlus is rolling out the update in stages, with it arriving for everyone in the coming days.

Another update is rolling out to the OnePlus Watch, but instead of bringing new features, this one aims to fix some issues plaguing the smartwatch. This update comes with version number B.62 and includes a potential fix for the "accuracy and speed" regarding GPS positioning. Also included in the update are an array of design changes for various aspects of the UI.

A OnePlus Forums post detailed all of the changes that are arriving. Here's the full changelog of what you can expect to find:

• Optimize the design details of some dials, make them look better, and add some information such as date;
• Optimize the layout of some interface buttons, making them more intuitive and convenient to use;
• The newly designed volume control function makes adjustment easier and convenient;
• Optimize the remote control camera interface;
• Improved the accuracy and speed of GPS positioning

The OnePlus Watch has turned out to be a bit of a dud by many accounts, as it was released without many of the features one would expect. These features included things like an Always-on Display and dedicated workout modes. We had high hopes for the latest OnePlus wearable, hoping that it would join the ranks of the best Android smartwatches. Unfortunately, that simply has not been the case, even after recent updates have attempted to fix issues.

The company states that the B.62 update is rolling out to a "small percentage of users first" before being made available to more OnePlus Watch owners in the "next few days." Thankfully, you won't have to try and flash the update, as it is arriving over-the-air and will be available on your connected phone to install.

What you need to know

• The OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition has been launched in India.
• The limited edition variant uses sapphire crystal glass and a cobalt alloy frame.
• It is slated to go on open sale in the country from July 16.

OnePlus unveiled a special edition variant of the OnePlus Watch called the OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition in May, featuring a cobalt alloy middle frame. After being limited to OnePlus' home market for nearly two months, the special edition variant has finally been launched in India to rival the best Android smartwatches.

Cobalt alloy is twice as hard as stainless steel and happens to be both hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant. The limited edition variant also uses a sapphire glass face for higher scratch resistance. Aside from these changes, the OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition is identical to the regular OnePlus Watch that has been on sale in India since April.

The smartwatch sports a 1.39-inch AMOLED display with 454 x 454 resolution. It touts a number of health-focused features, including heart-rate monitoring, stress detection, sedentary reminders, over 110 workout modes, as well as an SpO2 sensor. Keeping the lights on is a 402mAh, which OnePlus says can last up to two weeks on a single charge. Thanks to OnePlus' Warp Charge technology, you can get roughly a week's battery life from a short 20-minute charge. The smartwatch runs OnePlus' proprietary software, based on a real-time operating system.

The OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition has been priced at ₹19,999 (about $268) in India, ₹5,000 more than the standard variant. It will be available to purchase in the country from July 16 via the OnePlus online store, the OnePlus Store app, and OnePlus Experience Stores.

OnePlus Watch Cobalt Limited Edition

OnePlus' first smartwatch comes with a premium design and a wide range of useful features such as blood oxygen monitoring, built-in GPS, and multiple workout modes. It also impresses with solid battery life and a colorful AMOLED screen.

• ₹19,999 at OnePlus

What you need to know

• The OnePlus Watch is receiving an update that brings the promised 110 workout modes.
• The device is getting an AI Outfit feature to mimic the user's clothing to create a watch face.
• The update comes after OnePlus devices finally received the AOD function.

Owners of the OnePlus Watch are finally getting their hands on an update that brings the fitness features first promised at launch. OnePlus software manager Baihan H. announced update B.52 on Monday in the OnePlus forum.

The update brings more than 110 workout modes to the watch, a feature that the company first promised at launch and one of several that were notably missing. The update also introduces a marathon running function as well as a new AI Outfit feature.

AI Outfit was hinted at when the company announced the first major software update for the OnePlus Watch. The feature allows the user to change the watch face by capturing a photo of their outfit. The watch face will then generate various watch faces that the user can select from, with similar color schemes or patterns. It's a feature borrowed from the OPPO Watch.

With this new update, OnePlus is finally closer to giving customers the smartwatch that it promised. The last update was released in May and finally brought users the option for an always-on display, although at the expense of battery life which apparently drops by half. The company has also been working to improve system stability, notification syncing, and GPS tracking, although users are still complaining about GPS accuracy.

OnePlus has stated that the update will reach a small batch of users before a wider rollout within the next few days. Users should ensure that the OnePlus Watch has at least a 40% charge before attempting the update and should be kept close to the paired smartphone with Bluetooth on.

The company is continuing to improve the OnePlus Watch in the hopes that it can compete with the best Android smartwatches. So far, OnePlus has been quick about rolling out necessary updates, but it remains to be seen if it'll be enough to turn things around for the smartwatch.

What you need to know

• OnePlus has announced that its smartwatch will be back in stock on April 28.
• The first batch of OnePlus Watches ran out of stock extremely quickly.
• OnePlus has already started rolling out the first update for the watch, with more features coming soon.

The OnePlus Watch may not have had the best reviews, but the company's first smartwatch managed to sell out in about a minute after going on sale earlier this month. The device has been out of stock ever since, but OnePlus has just given some hope to those who are still wanting to get their hands on it. The company has announced via Twitter that the OnePlus Watch will be back in stock tomorrow, April 28.

When the OnePlus Watch went on sale, it was missing a few features advertised at launch, most notably the 110+ workout modes. Not only that but the watch was plagued with inconsistent notifications and shoddy stability. Fortunately, OnePlus has heard the complaints and is issuing an update to the watch that should hopefully fix some of the problems. The company also announced that other features, like Always On Display, will be coming in later updates, which could end up making the OnePlus Watch one of the best cheap Android smartwatches on the market, given its low price.

As noted in the tweet, the device will go on sale at 11 am EST, so you should act fast if you want to grab one! You can use the link below to purchase the watch.

What you need to know

• The OnePlus Watch is being updated soon with several fixes and enhancements.
• The update will bring enhanced notification support and better system stability.
• OnePlus also plans to bring Always-On Display and a remote camera function.

The OnePlus Watch has not been received too well, and a lot of that has to do with the software experience. Many reviewers have even suggested that you'd be better off with any of the best Wear OS watches. Fortunately, OnePlus has apparently heard the criticisms and is rolling out an update soon that should hopefully help with the smartwatch's software woes.

Hopefully, the update should improve notification support on the watch, which is something that many users have complained about. Notifications would either not sync properly, or many apps weren't supported, so that should improve with the update, although it's not clear to what extent. OnePlus states that notification app icons would only be supported for "the most frequently used apps."

The update should also bring improved system stability and fixes several bugs. The full changelog includes the following improvements, which should arrive "in the coming days" for watch owners in the U.S. and Canada:

• Improved GPS performance
• Improved accuracy of activity tracking (walking and running)
• Optimized heart rate monitoring algorithm
• Enabled notification app icons for the most frequently used apps
• Improved raise-to-wake function
• Optimized notification syncing algorithm
• Fixed some known bugs
• Improved system stability

OnePlus also outlined its plans for future updates, including Always-On Display, something that the company famously left out of the OnePlus Watch. The watch is still expected to get support for the 110+ workout modes that were publicized at launch, as well as a remote camera function for the best Android phones:

• Add Always-on Display feature
• Add remote camera control of Android smartphones (Android phones running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow and above) from OnePlus Watch
• Add 12-hour time format
• Add 4 languages: German, Italian, Spanish, and Polish
• Enable all 110+ workout modes
• Enable AI watch face

It's not clear when these features will arrive on the OnePlus Watch, but hopefully, they'll come sooner rather than later. If you go to the OnePlus website, the additional workout modes will apparently arrive in a May update, meaning we don't have to wait long. Meanwhile, owners of the OnePlus Watch can leave their feedback and suggestions in the OnePlus forum thread.

What you need to know

• The OnePlus Watch reportedly sold out within a minute after going live.
• Reviews of the smartwatch haven't been kind, criticizing the software experience.
• The watch retails for $159, but a $20 voucher is still available.

Reviews of OnePlus' first smartwatch are in, and boy, are they harsh. Reviewers have largely ripped apart the device, criticizing its seeming lack of software polish while praising some of its hardware. Our own Harish Jonnalagadda complains in his OnePlus Watch review that the device offers limited support for notifications, no third-party app support, and no always-on display, the latter of which is kind of the point of having a watch. Yet, despite the bad reviews, it seems the watch is still coveted by many, as it apparently sold out within a minute of going on sale.

If you take a look on the OnePlus website, you'll see that the watch is currently out of stock. Whether that's due to low initial stock or an actual high volume of sales is unclear, but enough people seemed to want it to clear OnePlus of its initial batch. Reddit users were complaining about not being able to purchase one the moment the device went on sale, indicating it sold out fast.

Meanwhile, even a cursory glance at OnePlus Watch reviews shows just how unpolished this device seems to be. Gizmodo gave the OnePlus Watch a scathing review:

Engadget suggested that you'd be better off purchasing one of the best fitness trackers from Fitbit:

Even Michael Fisher preferred to switch back to any of the best Wear OS watches, despite OnePlus opting not to use the platform to achieve better battery life, which, to its credit, it does:

It's safe to say that if you're looking for the best cheap Android smartwatch, this isn't it, even with the additional $20 discount you can get from the OnePlus website. Perhaps sometime down the road, when OnePlus brings more features and polish, we might recommend it. Still, on the off chance you'd like to try your hand at purchasing one, you can find it at the link below. Otherwise, it might be worth checking out the much cheaper Mobvoi TicWatch GTH.

OnePlus Watch

When you're looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch that offers solid health and fitness tracking, the new OnePlus Watch might catch your eye. It's got the essentials, including onboard GPS, activity/sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, two-week battery life, and more. It may not be as advanced as the Versa 3, but it delivers in some important areas.

Fitbit Versa 3

Most people in the fitness tracking world are familiar with Fitbit. The company's latest smartwatch, the Versa 3, has many improvements. You get a solid six days of battery life, improved heart rate accuracy, onboard GPS, Active Zone Minutes, and a built-in mic/speaker with two voice assistant options. It runs FitbitOS, which is easy and intuitive for all users.

OnePlus Watch vs. Fitbit Versa 3: Similar features, different experiences

Some of the best Android smartwatches are new models that just hit the market, while others have been around a bit longer. The OnePlus Watch and the Fitbit Versa 3 are two perfect examples of this. While they offer many similar features, the overall wearable experiences are different.

If you want a smartwatch with a tried-and-true operating system, the Fitbit Versa 3 is the better choice. The OnePlus Watch does things a bit differently with a real-time operating system (RTOS). On paper, it's an impressive fitness smartwatch with plenty of features, but in our OnePlus Watch review, things aren't quite as rosy. Most importantly, it's one of the most affordable options we've seen in some time. If you're not willing to take a gamble on this OS, you might want to consider the Fitbit Versa 3 instead.

The OnePlus Watch kills the battery life game

You might expect an affordable smartwatch like the OnePlus Watch to be cheaply made, but that's not the case. This new wearable comes in an attractive 46mm stainless steel case. You also get a rich 1.39-inch AMOLED display. It comes with a sturdy fluoroelastomer strap, which is compatible with 22mm interchangeable bands.

One of the popular topics with this new release is that it runs RTOS, which stands for real-time operating systems. This isn't totally unheard of for smartwatches, but it is definitely not the most common route when systems like Wear OS are readily available.

What's the difference? RTOS handles tasks differently. A pre-determined time constraint is used for executing tasks on your smartwatch, whether that be launching an app or taking a heart-rate measurement. As a result, users will typically experience quick and reliable usage. The company has offered an explanation for this decision and also addressed other common questions ahead of the launch.

If you've had smartwatch experiences in the past that were full of bugs and slow performance, you'll be happy to know that's not going to be a prominent issue with RTOS. It's designed to eliminate extraneous effort within the system, so it doesn't have to work as hard to complete simple tasks. RTOS means better battery life, which is one of the high points for the OnePlus Watch. This seems to have been the company's main goal with choosing RTOS, and two weeks of battery life isn't too shabby.

That all sounds pretty great, so you're probably wondering what the problem with a real-time operating system is. If you're looking for the full smartwatch experience, a wearable with RTOS can't really live up to that. For example, don't expect a giant app selection or tons of watch faces. The little things that make a smartwatch smart may not make it into the picture with RTOS.

Moving away from OS talk, the OnePlus Watch does a surprisingly good job of measuring up against the Versa 3. It offers many of the same features, including heart-rate monitoring, onboard GPS, activity/sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, and mic/speaker support for Bluetooth calls. As far as what's missing, there are no voice assistant options. You also won't have an always-on display feature, but the company says it's looking into this. There's no mention of NFC support for contactless payments, either.

After a few attempts, the Fitbit Versa 3 got it right

It might have taken a few attempts, but the Fitbit Versa lineup has finally delivered gold in the form of a smartwatch. Sure, the previous models were nice, but there was always something missing. Short offering an LTE model, the Fitbit Versa 3 covers all the key areas that users are looking for in a wearable. All of the Fitbit features you're accustomed to are here, like 24/7 heart-rate monitoring, 20+ goal-based exercise modes, advanced sleep monitoring, female health tracking, and Fitbit Pay.

The squircle design is familiar yet refined. You have smoother lines, a larger display, and better responsiveness. The 40mm case is available in Black and Soft Gold. Another improvement is the Fitbit Versa 3 bands. If you have any experience with the old band system for these models, you know this improvement was sorely needed. It's easier to swap out bands when you want a change with the new Infinity band system. The only drawback is that any old Versa bands you have won't be compatible here.

The Fitbit Versa 3 also offers better battery life than previous models. You'll get approximately six days out of this watch, depending on your usage. Fitbit also added a fast charging feature, which allows you to put your watch on the charger for only 12 minutes, and it'll supply you with a full day of battery life. When you're in a rush or forgot to charge it, this perk will surely come in handy.

One new Versa 3 feature is Active Zone Minutes, which alerts you when you hit your target heart-rate zones. Users can "earn" Active Zone Minutes during an activity for the time they spend in fat burn, cardio, or peak heart-rate zones. Keep in mind these zones are personalized based on your fitness level and age. You'll also appreciate that the Fitbit Versa 3 comes with improved heart-rate accuracy thanks to the new PurePulse 2.0 technology.

The last Versa model offered Amazon Alexa, which was a step in the right direction. Now, you also get Google Assistant. The built-in microphone and speaker lead to a seamless experience when using both of these voice assistants. Not to mention that you can also use the mic/speaker for Bluetooth calling, which is an excellent upgrade.

OnePlus Watch vs. Fitbit Versa 3: Which should you buy?

As far as features are concerned, these two fitness smartwatches aren't all that different. Both the OnePlus Watch and Fitbit Versa 3 offer activity/sleep tracking, onboard GPS, heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, multiple exercise modes, and a mic/speaker for Bluetooth calls.

The OnePlus Watch offers more than double the battery life of the Versa 3, which may be enough to win some people over. It's also significantly cheaper. While a real-time operating system (RTOS) may be useful for longer battery life, it does come with its own set of drawbacks.

If you want a wearable experience that's guaranteed to be great, the Fitbit Versa 3 is a wonderful choice. It runs FitbitOS, which is easy to navigate and offers enough app support and watch faces for most people. It might be more expensive, and the battery life isn't as long, but those are small compromises in the grand scheme of things.

OnePlus revealed its vision of building a connected ecosystem of products back in 2019. That was just before the launch of its first TV, the OnePlus Q1 Pro. The TV launched in India to much fanfare, and OnePlus followed it up with the budget-focused 55U1 and entry-level Y series last year.

OnePlus also delved into wireless earbuds, rolling out the OnePlus Buds and Buds Z last year, which joined the Bullets Z neckbuds. And earlier this year, OnePlus finally made its debut in the wearable segment with the OnePlus Band, a rebranded OPPO Band that's available exclusively in India.

OnePlus is now making further inroads into the wearable category with the launch of its first smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch. The product itself looks identical to the OPPO Watch RX — a smartwatch that OPPO showed off last year but didn't launch. We now know why; that device ended up being the OnePlus Watch.

OnePlus continues to rely heavily on OPPO for the manufacture and distribution of its phones — like the OnePlus 9 Pro — and it is doing the same with wearables. In fact, it is going one step further; OnePlus is using a clone of OPPO's HeyTap Health utility, with the OnePlus Health app offering the exact same interface and an identical feature-set. The only thing that's different between HeyTap Health and OnePlus Health is the name.

The OnePlus Watch doesn't score a lot of points in terms of originality, but it will be widely available around the world. OPPO doesn't sell its phones or wearables in North America, so for customers in the region, the OnePlus Watch is the default choice from BBK's stable. That said, the OnePlus Watch is going up against the best Android smartwatches, so let's see if it can hold its own in this category.

OnePlus Watch: Price and availability

The OnePlus Watch was announced alongside the OnePlus 9 series on March 23. The smartwatch is going up for sale in North America from April 14, in India from April 21, and European markets starting April 26.

The OnePlus Watch is sold in a single 46mm variant, and it debuts at $159 in the U.S., £149 ($205) in the UK, €159 ($190) in EU, and ₹14,999 ($200) in India. You'll be able to pick it up in Midnight Black and Moonlight Silver color options. There's also a Cobalt Limited Edition that will be available later in the year.

OnePlus Watch: Design and display

OnePlus says it wanted to offer a timeless aesthetic with its smartwatch, and it has managed to do just that. The OnePlus Watch has a round watch face with thin bezels around the screen, and the smooth arcs on the sides give it an elegance that belies its price tag. There are many smartwatches available today that don't end up looking like a traditional watch, but that's not the case here.

It's evident that OnePlus paid a lot of attention to the design, and the result is that the OnePlus Watch feels more upmarket than its rivals. The 316L stainless steel chassis feels sturdy and adds a decent amount of heft to the smartwatch, with the case alone coming in at 45g. Add another 31g for the bundled 31g for the fluoroelastomer band and it comes in at 76g.

The smartwatch comes in a single 46mm variant, and it is one of the larger smartwatches I've used. I would have liked to see a smaller 42mm or even a 40mm option, because in this iteration the watch feels big and heavy on my wrist.

The OnePlus Watch is available in Midnight Black and Moonlight Silver options, with the former featuring a grey case and the latter switching to a silver option. I'm using the Midnight Black version of the OnePlus Watch, but there's also a Cobalt Limited Edition that will make its debut at a later date. The limited edition features toughened glass with higher scratch resistance.

The OnePlus Watch has two buttons on the side, with the one up top engraved with the OnePlus moniker. You'll use this button for pulling up the app list and going back to the home screen, and the second button serves as a power button.

There's a mic located on the underside, and you'll find a speaker on the other side. The back has the optical sensor for heart rate monitoring and the blood oxygen module, and contains the two pogo pins that let you charge the smartwatch.

The smartwatch has standard 22mm lugs, so you can switch out the strap and add your own without any issues whatsoever. You can switch out the included band without any hassle, and the fluoroelastomer band feels good and is comfortable for all-day use.

The OnePlus Watch has a 1.39-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 454 x 454. The 2.5D curved glass gives it just that little bit more elegance, and the screen itself is bright in daily use. I didn't face any issues with the panel quality even under sunlight, and the large screen size makes it ideal for navigating the interface.

OnePlus is offering a decent amount of customizability with its smartwatch, and you get 50 watch faces to choose from. You can set 14 watch faces on the watch itself and rotate between them natively — just press and hold on a watch face to switch it out.

You'll find a lot of exciting options on the list, ranging from minimalist to fitness-focused styles and a few classic watch faces. And yes, you'll also find one emblazoned with OnePlus' Never Settle mantra, so if you're interested in showing off the fact that you own the OnePlus Watch, there's no dearth of options here.

My main issue with the screen is that it lacks AOD. OnePlus says it doesn't offer an always-on display to conserve battery life, but hasn't ruled out the possibility of the feature making its way to the smartwatch:

OnePlus has recently issued a few updates that bring AOD functionality, the 110+ workout modes, and several other features that were missing at launch. The review will be updated to reflect the new software improvements once we've had time to test them out.

OnePlus Watch: Performance and battery

Coming to the hardware side of things, the OnePlus Watch uses three chips. First up is an STMicroelectronics ST32 microcontroller with a Cortex M3 core that drives the UI on the smartwatch; then there's Ambiq's Apollo 3 low-power platform that allows the smartwatch to gather data from its sensors during workouts, and finally you'll find a Cypress Semiconductors' chip that enables Bluetooth.

All of this translates to stellar performance in daily use. The smartwatch UI feels fast and fluid, and there are no slowdowns. Of course, a large part of that has to do with the fact that the OnePlus Watch features a lightweight RTOS, but it's clear that the UI has been optimized for the hardware.

The smartwatch has 4GB of internal storage, with 2GB of user-accessible storage for storing music locally. You can add files to the smartwatch via the OnePlus Health app — the files need to be in MP3 or AAC to show up within the included music app.

The OnePlus Watch can also be paired with OnePlus TVs, and it is a fun (if not straightforward) way to control the volume of the TV. But the more interesting addition here is that should you receive a call when the TV is on, the volume is automatically turned down — it was exciting to see this in action on the Q1 Pro.

Finally, the smartwatch automatically turns off the TV after 30 minutes if it detects that you've fallen asleep — but I wasn't able to test this particular feature.

Elsewhere, you get built-in GPS that plots your outdoor workouts, making the OnePlus Watch that much more versatile. You can also take calls directly on your wrist thanks to the built-in mic and speaker, and the few calls I answered on the OnePlus Watch went through without a hassle.

I didn't have any issues with Bluetooth connectivity either. The smartwatch maintained a steady connection to my phone at up to 35 feet. While there's technically NFC on the watch, you won't be able to use it for mobile payments, making it a non-starter.

The standout feature on the OnePlus Watch has to be the battery life. The 402mAh battery lasts well more than a week on a full charge. The main reason for OnePlus to use RTOS in lieu of Wear OS is battery life considerations, and the fact that the smartwatch lasts up to ten days even with medium to heavy use is a huge bonus.

I've used the smartwatch for just over a week, and battery is down to 30%. My daily use involved morning workouts, controlling music playback, and glancing at notifications over the course of the day. The OnePlus Watch charges via the two pogo pins at the back, and it takes just 20 minutes to get up to a week's worth of use.

OnePlus Watch: Health

The OnePlus Watch has IP68 dust and water resistance, and it is watertight up to 5ATM — making it ideal for swimming. It recognizes up to 110 different workouts, with 15 modes to choose from. It also automatically detects jogging and running, and you can set up customized modes.

I used the OnePlus Watch alongside the Apple Watch Series 6, and it did a pretty decent job cataloguing data from workouts. The OnePlus Watch had a variance of around 5 to 8% from the Apple Watch, and all things considered, it did a much better job than I was envisaging.

But what's particularly notable is just how unrefined the user interface is at this point in time. When you do hit your activity goal for the day, you get an alert that says, "Your step count is up to standard. Pls keep it up." I don't know who signed off on that message, but that is just one of several instances where the UI just lacks polish.

The OnePlus Watch includes automatic heart rate monitoring, and you have the ability to set up alerts for when your heart rate crosses a threshold. You get sleep tracking as well, and it gives you a score based on the night's data and suggestions on how to get a better score.

OnePlus Watch: Software

The OnePlus Watch runs RTOS (real-time operating system), and is compatible with all Android devices running Marshmallow and above. Unlike Amazfit's smartwatches, it doesn't pair with iOS.

The smartwatch includes all the basics — it does a good job mirroring notifications and calls to your wrist, and includes a local music player, alarm clock, weather service, timer, stopwatch, flashlight, compass, and barometer. There's also a feature that measures your stress levels, but its efficacy is dubious — I'm writing this with just a few hours left on the embargo for this review, but the watch says that my stress level is low.

The interface itself is fluid, but there are a few teething problems. First and foremost is an inexplicable language selector that somehow wants to switch to Hindi all the time. That was the case when I booted up the OnePlus Watch for the first time, and it did so again when I received an update a day later. Oh, and there's no way option for a 12-hour clock format.

The gestures are similar to what you'll find on Wear OS: pull down from the top to access the quick settings tiles, including DND, brightness, timer, flashlight, and settings. You'll be able to view recent notifications with a swipe-up gesture, and swiping left gives you access to the music, and activity tiles.

The OnePlus Watch doesn't deliver notifications from all apps out of the box — instead limiting to popular messaging services and mail clients. It disabled notifications from Slack and Newton Mail out of the box, so for the first few hours of using the watch, I didn't get any notification alerts on my wrist.

Thankfully, it's pretty straightforward to enable or disable notifications from an app. The notifications that do show up are actionable, but only just — you get a list of canned responses, and you can only use them on messaging services. OnePlus says it will roll out the ability to add your own via an upcoming OTA update, but even then there just isn't enough on offer here.

Another downside with notifications is that the smartwatch doesn't recognize the distinction between silent and regular notifications, so the notifications that are tagged silent on your phone will vibrate on your wrist. Notifications that I already cleared on my phone had a tendency to show up on the smartwatch, making it far from ideal.

Then there's the phone app, OnePlus Health. You can see all activity data, SpO2 and heart rate levels, and workouts history from here, but the interface is barebones to say the least. The Health tab contains the activity dashboard, there's a Fitness tab in the middle that lets you manually start a running or walking session, and the Manage tab lets you change watch faces, adjust notifications, and set up idle alerts and health goals.

The one redeeming quality here is that the Watch lets you easily pair with Google Fit, and you can view activity and heart rate data within Google's fitness platform. Talking about Google, you won't find a smart assistant on the OnePlus Watch, so if you like to invoke Google Assistant or Alexa on your wrist, you will have to look elsewhere.

There's not a lot to work with here, and OnePlus definitely needs to do more on the software side of things. As I said earlier, OnePlus Health is just a rebranded version of HeyTap Health, and that needs to change if OnePlus wants to distinguish itself from rivals. Of course, Amazfit doesn't make it any easier to navigate its UI either, but at least you get an exhaustive list of features.

OnePlus Watch: Competition

The Amazfit GTS 2 is the ideal alternative to the OnePlus Watch. The smartwatch has a larger 1.65-inch AMOLED panel, 3GB of storage for music, lag-free navigation, 5ATM water resistance and 90 workout modes, blood oxygen monitoring, and 7-day battery life. At $180, it is $20 more than the OnePlus Watch in the U.S., but over in India, it costs ₹12,999 ($175), $25 less than the OnePlus Watch.

The Fitbit Versa 2 isn't exactly new at this point, but it is still a solid option in 2021. It has all the activity tracking and health monitoring you need, and the Fitbit app has a level of polish that you just don't get with OnePlus.

Of course, there's the OPPO Watch. The smartwatch has much more powerful hardware and runs Wear OS out of the box, and costs the same as the OnePlus Watch. You'll need to charge it daily, but other than that it is a much better option.

OnePlus Watch: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

• You want a stylish smartwatch
• You want weeks-long battery life
• You're looking for a smartwatch with blood oxygen monitoring
• You need a smartwatch with accurate activity tracking

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You want a polished software interface
• You want to use third-party apps
• You're looking for a value-focused smartwatch

OnePlus hasn't been particularly successful with its foray into new segments; its TVs don't sell anywhere near as much as Xiaomi, TCL, or Vu, and its wireless earbuds haven't moved the needle too much for the company.

The same is true for its wearable efforts. The OnePlus Watch certainly has a lot going for it; the hardware feels great, it has blood oxygen monitoring, accurate workout tracking, and weeks-long battery life. But it isn't the only product that does these things in the sub-$200 segment, and the limited software features hold it back.

3 out of 5

The OnePlus Watch is a decent alternative to the myriad of options available in this category, but it lacks the finesse of Fitbit's software and the feature-set that you get with Amazfit. But if you've been waiting for a OnePlus smartwatch, you will find a lot to like here. Sure, it may not measure up to alternatives, but it gets the basics right. You may just want to wait a few weeks for the bugs to be sorted out.

I don't see OnePlus selling a lot of smartwatches in India. The wearable segment is just as competitive as the phone category, and with plenty of alternatives available from Amazfit, Fitbit, Mobvoi, and others, the OnePlus Watch just doesn't quite pass muster at ₹14,999 ($200).

OnePlus Watch

If you don't mind a watch running real-time OS, you might be a fan of the new OnePlus Watch. It's reasonably priced and it covers all the essentials. You get activity/sleep tracking, onboard GPS, heart-rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, and 14 days of battery life.

Amazfit GTS

The GTS isn't Amazfit's newest smartwatch, but it's still an impressive wearable that comes at an affordable price point. You'll have the basics, including GPS, activity/sleep tracking, and heart-rate monitoring. Did we mention this watch also offers 14 days of battery life?

OnePlus Watch vs. Amazfit GTS: Similar concepts

If you're currently trying to find the best Android smartwatch for your needs, you'll be glad to know there are plenty of options out there. Two wearables you might want to consider are the OnePlus Watch and the Amazfit GTS. These wearables might not be as well-known as some of the bigger names in the smartwatch world, but they deserve some recognition, too!

Not only are these watches surprisingly affordable, but they're also full of useful features. If you like having the newest watch on the market and want as many features as possible, you'll appreciate the OnePlus Watch. If you're more interested in finding the cheapest watch that's best at handling the basics, you might prefer the Amazfit GTS.

The OnePlus Watch costs more, but it also does more

The OnePlus Watch might be more expensive than the Amazfit GTS, but it still falls into the category of affordable smartwatches. Upon comparing these two, you might be wondering why the OnePlus Watch is more expensive. There are some good reasons for this, believe it or not. First of all, this isn't a cheap-looking device. It's housed in a shiny stainless steel case that comes in one size: 46mm. It also sports a colorful 1.39-inch AMOLED display and a flexible fluoroelastomer strap. Fortunately, these straps are compatible with 22mm interchangeable bands.

Something that sets the OnePlus Watch apart from other smartwatches is that it runs on a real-time operating system (RTOS). While this isn't the first time a smartwatch has run RTOS, it's not the most popular option. When you choose a system like this for a smartwatch, there are some important pros and cons. It's worth noting that it's part of why the OnePlus Watch doesn't have an always-on display.

So, what are the pros? Real-time operating systems are designed to handle tasks in a different way. This system uses a pre-determined time constraint when executing tasks, like launching an app or recording your heart rate. Generally speaking, this means that users will experience fast and reliable usage. It's not uncommon to experience lags on a general OS when the software struggles to complete a task.

Another advantage of the OnePlus Watch using RTOS is 14 days of battery life, probably one of the most attractive selling points for the OnePlus Watch. In explaining its choice to opt for RTOS on this smartwatch, OnePlus cited the importance of offering longer battery life.

So, what are the cons? Snappy performance and two weeks of battery life sound pretty sweet, right? The primary disadvantage of RTOS is that you won't have the full smartwatch experience you're probably accustomed to. If you're expecting a wearable with a robust app store and endless watch face options, you'll likely be disappointed. A real-time operating system simply isn't designed for that type of personalized experience that many users look for in a smartwatch.

As far as where the OnePlus Watch succeeds, it's an excellent fitness smartwatch for those who are serious about tracking their metrics. You'll have everything you need, including onboard GPS, activity/sleep tracking, over 100 movement modes, heart-rate monitoring, and blood oxygen tracking. It also provides you with some extra perks, like a built-in mic/speaker so you can take Bluetooth calls on your watch. You'll have music storage on the watch as well.

The Amazfit GTS is great for the basics

When it was first released over a year ago, the Amazfit GTS was a fairly impressive smartwatch. It was always designed to be an affordable smartwatch that could still accomplish basic health and fitness tracking tasks. It may not be a brand-new wearable like the OnePlus Watch, but the GTS is still one of the best Amazfit smartwatches you can buy.

The 43mm case is made of a combination of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and polymer material, so it's much more lightweight than the OnePlus Watch. You get a 1.65-inch AMOLED display as well as 20mm interchangeable bands. You get many more color options with the GTS, too. It comes in some standard colors, like Obsidian Black, Lava Gray, and Desert Gold. If you want to be unique, you might prefer Rose Pink, Steel Blue, or Vermillion Orange.

You'll find that the Amazfit GTS also runs a version of RTOS. It might look like an Apple Watch on the surface, but the Amazfit GTS doesn't compare under the hood. You get the basics, but that's about it. Similar to the OnePlus Watch, RTOS means you won't have an app store and other perks that come with an operating system such as Wear OS or Tizen OS. You'll still get 14 days of battery life, though.

Fortunately, if your main concern is health and fitness tracking, then you might not mind the drawbacks of RTOS. The Amazfit GTS is great for casual tracking. Whether you're a beginner or you're seeking a budget-friendly wearable that's great for basics, the GTS will deliver. It offers onboard GPS, heart-rate monitoring, activity/sleep tracking, and 12 sport modes. The 12 sport modes include outdoor running, treadmill, walking, outdoor/indoor cycling, elliptical trainer, pool/open water swimming, mountaineering, skiing, trail running, and general exercise.

It may not have bonus perks such as a mic/speaker for Bluetooth calls or onboard music storage, but the Amazfit GTS wasn't made for that. If you don't need a bunch of extras, then you might not mind the basic nature of this smartwatch. However, if you're craving more, you should look elsewhere.

OnePlus Watch vs. Amazfit GTS: Which should you buy?

At the end of the day, the OnePlus Watch and the Amazfit GTS are more alike than they are different. They run the same type of operating system, and they both offer 14 days of battery life. Both of them offer built-in GPS, heart-rate monitoring, and activity/sleep tracking. With that said, the differences are what will guide your decision.

The Amazfit GTS is the best choice if you're only concerned with the basics. It's also worth noting there is a newer version of the GTS. If you don't mind giving up the stellar battery life, the newer Amazfit GTS 2 offers more features. If you're content with the basics and love the idea of 2-week battery life, the Amazfit GTS might meet your needs. Compared to the OnePlus Watch, it doesn't have a mic/speaker, onboard music storage, or blood oxygen tracking. If you don't mind missing out on these perks, the GTS is a good choice.

The OnePlus Watch is a newer release, so it naturally has more to offer in terms of features. The main difference is that you'll have a mic/speaker, which means you can take Bluetooth calls on your watch. You'll also have onboard music storage for up to 500 songs. The OnePlus watch has blood oxygen tracking, which is a thoughtful addition to this budget-friendly watch. It's slightly more expensive than the Amazfit GTS, but the extra perks will be worth it for most people. The OnePlus Watch will be available for purchase on April 15.

What you need to know

• OnePlus posted an faq regarding the upcoming OnePlus Watch.
• The company explains why it didn't choose Wear OS and why the watch doesn't feature an always-on-display.
• The OnePlus Watch will go on sale starting April 15th for $159.

The OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are just days away, and many can't wait to get their hands on the devices. The OnePlus Watch is also on the way, gunning for a spot as one of the best cheap Android smartwatches, although it will be a couple more weeks before it goes on sale. OnePlus decided to take this opportunity to explain some of its choices regarding the watch.

One of the main points that the company is making is that the focus for this wearable is battery life, something that CEO Pete Lau has echoed in the past and is now being emphasized again. The post explains that both Wear OS and RTOS were weighed against each other, but the latter won out due to its battery efficiency:

It makes sense that Wear OS would lose out for this reason. Even the best Wear OS watches can last just a couple of days with active use, whereas OnePlus is claiming a week of battery life when used consistently and up to two weeks when used sparingly.

Unfortunately, these figures don't consider the OnePlus Watch's always-on-display because it turns out there isn't one. Apparently, the company is looking into adding this feature in a future update but wants to examine how this will affect the already stellar battery life. There is a raise-to-wake feature, however, which may appease some potential buyers.

Furthermore, the post explains that the display can achieve more than 50fps, or nearly double that of most of the best Android smartwatches. Even with such a high refresh-rate, the OnePlus Watch battery life can be attributed in part to the three-chip solution, one of which is a low-power chip for the watch's various sensors. This way, the watch can continuously record health data and push it to the OnePlus Health app.

Other sections of the post go over design, specs, and some other features on the OnePlus Watch. It's definitely worth a read if you're curious about what the upcoming smartwatch will be capable of.

What you need to know

• OnePlus has announced the launch of its first smartwatch — the OnePlus Watch.
• The new smartwatch touts two-week battery life fast-charging capabilities.
• The OnePlus Watch can act as a remote for the OnePlus TV.

After months, even years, of teasers and leaks, and not long after the OnePlus Band launch, the long-awaited OnePlus Watch is officially here with a sleek design and some useful connectivity features. Despite some shortcomings, OnePlus has made sure to outfit the watch with enough features to make this one of the best smartwatches for fitness and a solid companion for the new OnePlus 9 Pro.

The 46mm case of the OnePlus Watch is made from stainless steel, featuring 5ATM + IP68 water and dust resistance for users with an active lifestyle. Underneath the circular 1.39" AMOLED display is a fairly decent set of specs, including 4GB of storage (only 2GB of usable storage, unfortunately). OnePlus ensures enough room for more than 500 songs. There's also built-in GPS, which helps keep track of the 100+ workouts that the OnePlus Watch can automatically detect and track.

Additional health and fitness features include pulse, distance, calories, speed, and SWOLF efficiency measurements. There's also a built-in SpO2 sensor, stress detection, and heart rate alerts. The OnePlus Watch can remind you to get up and move when it senses you've been inactive for too long and has breathing exercises to help you collect yourself.

When it comes to connectivity, the OnePlus Watch comes with standard smartwatch features such as making calls and checking notifications thanks to Bluetooth. OnePlus also touts the ability to intelligently control the OnePlus TV U series, automatically lowering the volume when a call comes in or turning the TV off when it detects the user has fallen asleep. This brings the OnePlus Watch into the ecosystem that the company is trying to build around its products, allowing them to seamlessly connect with each other.

The OnePlus Watch may not run Wear OS to the dismay of many, but with RTOS, the watch can make the most of its 402mAh battery. OnePlus claims that users can get up to two weeks of battery life on a single charge with "sustainable" use. The OnePlus Watch sports a week-long battery life for the most active users, which is still fairly impressive. And when it's on power, Warp Charge technology will provide up to a day's power in just five minutes or a week's work of power in 20 minutes.

The OnePlus Watch will be available for purchase on April 14th for a suggested retail price of $159. There are two colorways; Moonlight Silver and Midnight Black, and the watch will be compatible with traditional strap sizes. In addition to the Classic Edition, OnePlus announced a Cobalt Limited Edition built from cobalt alloy to make it twice as tough and sapphire glass for enhanced brightness and scratch resistance.

Thanks to OnePlus Day, you can claim a $20 voucher for the OnePlus Watch, making this already affordable watch even more of a steal. The offer must be claimed before April 14th.

What you need to know

• A new leak claims the OnePlus Watch will be priced around €150 in Europe.
• New renders of the smartwatch have also surfaced online.
• The OnePlus Watch is rumored to come with a round AMOLED display, IP68 water resistance, and Warp Charge support.

The first official render of the OnePlus Watch "leaked" online last week, revealing a round display and a similar design to the OPPO Watch RX. Ahead of its official unveiling tomorrow, leaker Ishan Agarwal has claimed that the OnePlus Watch will be priced at around €150 in Europe.

Agarwal suggests the price of the smartwatch will be "different" in other markets, so it isn't possible to predict the OnePlus Watch's price in markets such as India using currency conversion alone. That said, it is quite clear that OnePlus is looking to take on companies like Xiaomi and Amazfit in the budget smartwatch market.

Despite a relatively affordable price tag, the OnePlus Watch will still be packed to the gills with features. Agarwal had previously revealed that the smartwatch will come in a 46mm dial size in Black and Silver color options. It is tipped to feature over 110 workout modes, heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, IP68 dust and water resistance, 4GB of built-in storage, as well as an SpO2 sensor for measuring blood oxygen levels. Similar to OnePlus' best Android phones, the OnePlus Watch will also offer Warp Charge support.

While the smartwatch was initially rumored to run Wear OS, OnePlus recently confirmed that the OnePlus Watch will instead have a "smart wear operating system based on RTOS," similar to the best Android smartwatches from Amazfit. The smartwatch will debut at OnePlus' global launch event tomorrow, alongside the OnePlus 9 series.

What you need to know

• The first official render of the OnePlus Watch has surfaced.
• Just as rumored, the smartwatch will have a round display.
• It will be unveiled alongside the OnePlus 9 series phones on March 23.

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirmed earlier this week that the company's upcoming OnePlus Watch will run RTOS, and not Google's Wear OS. Ahead of its big launch event next week, OnePlus today revealed the design of its first smartwatch in collaboration with popular YouTube unboxing and tech channel Unbox Therapy.

As expected, the smartwatch has a round display and features a similar design to the OPPO Watch RX, which was announced in China last year. The watch appears to have two buttons on the right side, with the OnePlus logo embedded on the one on the top. In addition to the Black color variant seen in the render above, the smartwatch is also expected to be offered in a Silver option as well.

As revealed by tipster Ishan Agarwal recently, the OnePlus Watch could come with a 46mm dial and is tipped to offer a wide range of fitness-tracking features. Just like the best Android smartwatches, OnePlus' first smartwatch is expected to feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

The OnePlus Watch will also offer automatic workout detection, 4GB of built-in storage, sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, as well as an SpO2 sensor to measure blood oxygen levels. You'll even be able to use the smartwatch as a remote control for your OnePlus TV. Its most impressive feature, however, is said to be Warp Charge support. A mere 20-minute charge will give you up to one week of battery life. Its pricing, however, still remains a mystery.

What you need to know

• OnePlus CEO has confirmed that the upcoming smartwatch will not run Wear OS.
• The OnePlus Watch will run RTOS with a focus on connectivity with other OnePlus devices.
• More information about the OnePlus Watch will be revealed on March 23rd.

Who needs leaks when the company is spilling the beans on its products before launch? In a similar fashion to how LG launches its smartphones, OnePlus has been teasing its upcoming OnePlus 9 smartphones, posting images and divulging new information via blog posts. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has been pretty active on the community forum, answering questions about products like the upcoming OnePlus Watch. On Wednesday, he confirmed a major piece of news regarding the watch; it won't run Wear OS.

In a community blog post, OnePlus went over some of its inspiration for creating its first smartwatch, which was to build an affordable device that seamlessly connects with all its devices. When answering a question from a forum member on whether or not the OnePlus Watch will run Wear OS, Pete Lau stated that the focus was to alleviate pain points for those familiar with smartwatches:

It's a bit surprising, not only because Pete Lau once talked up wanting to work with Google on improving Wear OS, but also because the OPPO Watch ran Wear OS and was released by OnePlus' parent company, both whom now share hardware resources between them. At the same time, OnePlus never confirmed Wear OS as the choice platform for its upcoming smartwatch, but given the company's close relationship with Google, it was always expected.

This may come as a disappointment for lovers of the best Wear OS watches hoping for a strong, new addition to Google's smartwatch family. On the bright side, the watch will run RTOS, a lightweight smartwatch platform found on some of the best Android smartwatches like the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini, ensuring that the watch may actually have great battery life.

Full details about the OnePlus Watch will be unveiled at the OnePlus 9 launch event on March 23rd.

What you need to know

• OnePlus took to Twitter to tease the launch of its highly anticipated OnePlus Watch.
• The company has been fairly vocal about its plans to launch wearables this year.
• The OnePlus Watch is likely to launch alongside the OnePlus 9 smartphones later this month.

The OnePlus Watch is coming. Thanks to a less than subtle tweet from OnePlus, fans can likely expect a launch relatively soon. The tweet cycles through several images, which are undoubtedly different angles and parts of the watch, such as the case and band. None of the images provide a good glimpse at the watch, but we can probably expect a round watch face from the look of it. This would coincide with leaked design sketches of a OnePlus Watch, which showed two round models with different watch bands.

Also unknown is whether this watch will feature Wear OS, but it's very likely considering OnePlus' relationship with Google and Android. For instance, the OnePlus TV U series runs Android TV, and CEO Pete Lau has previously talked up the ways that OnePlus wants to help enhance Wear OS "to improve the connectivity between the Wear OS ecosystem, Android TV, and Android smartphones." If it does come rocking Wear OS, the OnePlus Watch, along with the rumored Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, could become some of the best Android smartwatches of the year.

While there was no mention of a release date, the first quote displayed in the tweet from OnePlus mentions that something is in the works and will likely launch alongside the OnePlus 9, which seems to be the consensus of fans. Pete Lau teased last year that the company was releasing a watch in early 2021, and while we did get a OnePlus Band, that doesn't really fall under the same "smartwatch" category.

With any luck, the OnePlus Watch will finally become a reality very soon. The launch can be viewed on the OnePlus website on March 23 at 10 am ET.

What you need to know

• The OnePlus Watch was spotted in new patent sketches.
• The watch features a traditional round watch design, unlike the watch from OPPO which OnePlus has a close relationship.
• The watch could launch alongside the OnePlus 9 smartphones in March.

OnePlus has been stepping up its hardware game, as noted by last year's OnePlus 8 smartphones as well as the current leaks of the upcoming OnePlus 9 trio. Last year the company teased that it was releasing a watch in early 2021, which has been technically true after the launch of the OnePlus Band. Fans are still expecting a more traditional OnePlus Watch which appears to also be in the works according to a new patent.

A German site spotted some patent sketches (via GSMArena) of a smartwatch device submitted by OnePlus to the German office for patents and registered brand names. The images show several different angles of what could be two different models, based on the different bands.

The "standard" watchband looks to have a unique clamping mechanism, while the "sport" band looks like more of a silicon strap. The watch sensors are shown on the back of the watch, with two buttons on the side of the watch case. It's unclear from the sketches if it's the same watch just with different bands outfitted to it, which could be the case.

OnePlus has previously teased that it was open to work with Google on improving Wear OS, although where those talks went, no one knows. Given OnePlus' relationship with the Android ecosystem, it could very well run Google's software to compete with the best Wear OS watches. That said, no details are known about the OnePlus Watch, including its release date. It's possible that an official launch will coincide with the OnePlus 9, which is slated for March.

Update, January 7 (7:20 pm ET): A bunch of new watch faces were uncovered from the app, hinting at a smartwatch as well as a fitness band.

What you need to know

• A new OnePlus Health app has appeared on Google Play with information about the OnePlus Band.
• The app will be able to manage the OnePlus Band's health data and change watch faces.
• The OnePlus Band is expected to be announced early this year.

OnePlus got fans of the company excited when it announced that it was working on a smartwatch and surprised many when CEO, Pete Lau, tweeted last month that the watch would be launched in early 2021. Well, early 2021 has arrived, and more information about the watch has slowly crept up, such as the fact that it's more of a fitness band than a full-on smartwatch. That was pretty much solidified with this week's teaser, and now a new OnePlus Health app has been spotted on the Google Play Store which actually shows off the OnePlus Band, as well as some of the functions of the app.

Source: Google Play

The OnePlus Health app gives a bit of insight into the functions of the OnePlus Band, such as heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking, which is fairly par-for-the-course for any decent fitness band. The app also shows off the ability to track your routes, which suggests the OnePlus Band will feature built-in GPS, putting it on par with many of the best fitness trackers on the market.

The app manages to identify and show off the OnePlus Band from the front, which doesn't look much different from similar fitness trackers like the Xiaomi Mi Band 5. It's said to feature a 1.1" AMOLED touchscreen display, IP68 water and dust resistance, and will cost roughly $40 when it launches.

The app doesn't seem to be available for download but there is a public beta that users can sign up for, assuming they have a compatible device in a supported region. As it stands, the OnePlus Band is expected to launch in regions such as India, but it's unclear if or when OnePlus will bring the wearable to North America.

Update, January 7 (7:20 pm ET) ― New watch faces have been uncovered for a OnePlus Band and Watch

After digging into the code, XDA Developers managed to uncover some gifs of the OnePlus Band UI which you can find on their site, showing how users will swipe to access different functions. Some of the gifs suggest the band will activate the display when the user hovers their hand over it, likely a battery-saving technique.

There are also a number of watch faces that have been dug up from within the OnePlus Health app, which you can see below.

The most interesting part of this is the fact that there are watch faces for not just the OnePlus Band, but what is likely the OnePlus Watch as well. OnePlus has mentioned that it is working on a watch, but recent teasers and leaks suggested that it would instead just be a fitness band with smartwatch-like functions. These watch faces now point to both products coming soon.

Xiaomi Mi Band 5

The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 offers a lot of value for a fitness tracker, undercutting much of the competition with its price. It's AMOLED touchscreen display lets users manage notifications and calls, plus there's 5ATM water resistance, and you'll only have to charge it a few times a month.

• $37 at Amazon

What you need to know

• OnePlus CEO confirmed that a watch will arrive in early 2021.
• Almost no details about said watch have been leaked, so it's anyone's guess how the watch will function.
• Pete Lau previously stated that the company wanted to work with Google on Wear OS.

After years of rumors, hints, and broken hopes and dreams, OnePlus CEO, Pete Lau, has just confirmed that the company is working on a OnePlus watch that will arrive early next year. Lau made the announcement in a tweet that was in response to a question he posed to followers in early December asking what they wanted to see that the company hasn't done yet. Among the answers were a stylus pen, tablet, and even a laptop, but there were plenty of responses that called for a smartwatch.

OnePlus has long been rumored to be working on a smartwatch. Former co-founder Carl Pei confirmed that at one point in 2015 the company did start developing a OnePlus watch, but the plans were scrapped because, with so many product launches at the time, they felt as though the company was starting to lose focus. Later, sketches that apparently showed the design of the watch were leaked, giving us a view of something quite modular, which the company recently included in a teaser for the potential watch.

Since work on a watch resumed, the company has been fairly mum on its plans, although some tidbits of information were gathered regarding what a OnePlus watch might actually be. Back in August, a device dubbed "OnePlus Watch" was certified in Indonesia, which indicated that we could see a launch relatively soon. OnePlus has been known to focus efforts on products such as TVs and even the initial Nord launch, away from the US and in other markets like Asia and Europe, so the certification could hint that such a OnePlus watch may not initially see U.S. shores.

In a recent interview with Input, Lau talked about how the company was trying to work with Google on improving Wear OS and its connectivity, or lack thereof, with the greater Android ecosystem. Since OnePlus is all about community and making its products work seamlessly with each other, Wear OS' seeming disconnect would certainly steer the company away from any potential watch running the OS. Still, Lau stated that Google was open to working with OnePlus, although we don't know how far things have progressed in these talks.

There's also the fact that OnePlus' sister company, Oppo, recently released its first smartwatch dubbed the Oppo Watch. It takes on a very familiar design and even runs a skinned version of Wear OS what apparently runs very well, as noted in our Oppo Watch review.

And while OnePlus denies any sharing of design concepts between the companies, they do share a supply chain and so it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility to imagine a OnePlus watch that looked a lot like Oppo's.

The recent Wear OS updates and new Qualcomm chips could have also been a factor in OnePlus revitalizing its plans to release a watch. And with the right software tweaks, adopting the new Snapdragon Wear 4100+ could put a OnePlus watch in the running for the best Android smartwatch of 2021, depending on how other companies plan do adopt the chip.

The OnePlus 9 series smartphones are believed to have a launch set around March, and with Pete Lau giving the OnePlus watch release a timeframe of "early next year", it would make sense for it to launch alongside the upcoming smartphones.

What you need to know

• Interview with OnePlus CEO Peter Lau discusses OnePlus' past decisions and future products.
• While he did not elaborate on Carl Pei's departure, the company had previously faced some internal conflict over its software decisions.
• Lau teased the OnePlus watch while stating the company is working with Google on making Wear OS connect better with the Android ecosystem.

It's been an interesting year for OnePlus. The company made some questionable choices with its smartphones early in the year, it returned to offering cheaper, entry-level smartphones with the Nord lineup, and its founder, Carl Pei, abruptly departed the OnePlus to chase his dream. CEO and co-founder, Pete Lau, sat down with Input to discuss the ups and downs of the company, and even manage to throw in some talk about a OnePlus watch and Wear OS.

Early on in the interview, Lau discussed the company's contraversial decision to pre-load Facebook onto OnePlus 8 and Nord phones. While it wouldn't have been too big of an issue, users were unable to remove the app from their phones, which caused some disarray. It was described as a betrayal to the community that OnePlus worked hard to build since its inception, having the reputation of listening to its customers. Lau stated that criticism surrounding the move caused a "very significant and very heated debate internally in our company," which led to the company removing it from future devices.

Interestingly, Lau did not want to discuss details regarding the departure of Carl Pei, who was essentially the face of the company since the beginning. Talks of internal tension do stoke the fires of workplace disorder, especially considering some long-time employees had left the company within the year prior to Pei's departure.

Lau did say that his departure had no bearing on future products and that the company was still on track. "There's no change in our focus on delivering the best possible products going forward. There are times when people leave companies, but it hasn't changed the focus and the direction that we've set out for ourselves and will continue carrying forward."

Further in the interview, Lau discussed OnePlus working to improve camera quality, a commitment to smart TVs, and even the state of foldable smartphones, which OnePlus is not currently looking into developing due to lack of app optimization for the form factor. One thing the company is looking into: smartwatches.

It's been mentioned before that the company had begun developing a OnePlus watch as far back as 2015, only for it to be canceled a year later. OnePlus apparently decided that it was losing focus and wanted to reign itself back in, which, given the state of Wear OS at the time, is understandable. And while it hasn't improved too much in the past couple of years, Wear OS has gotten better, and some of the best Android smartwatches right now are running Wear OS.

Pete Lau recognizes this and talks about OnePlus trying to work with Google to improve Wear OS' connectivity with the overall Android ecosystem, something it seems to lack.

Google's purchase of Fossil's R&D team had given Android users hope that Google was getting serious about smartwatches, but not much came from it. Qualcomm recently launched new smartwatch chips aimed at powering the next generation of OS smartwatches, followed by a large, under-the-hood update to Wear OS that seemed to reinvigorate hope that Google was trying to improve things. And now that Google is purchasing Fitbit, it could signal better things coming to the platform. OnePlus has already teased that it's once again back to working on a OnePlus watch, so perhaps the stars have finally aligned.

The interview with Pete Lau can be found on Input.