After a few days with the OnePlus Watch 3, it’s clear that this isn’t a revolutionary smartwatch. Instead, it represents a story of refinement and catching up. Surprisingly, that’s not a bad thing. With a rotating crown that finally scrolls, a stronger Google/Samsung alternative emerges, making it a compelling option for smartwatch enthusiasts.
Design Revisions: Large Display and Ti Bezel
The design of the OnePlus Watch 3 builds upon its predecessor, with a few notable enhancements. The OLED display is larger and brighter, reaching 2,200 nits, providing a more vivid viewing experience. The bezels have been reduced, making the watch look more modern and sleek. The screen itself is now spiffier, especially with the new video watchface feature where users can upload their own clips. While the casing remains stainless steel, a new titanium physical bezel adds a classic, analog touch.
Single Design Flaw: Limited Size
The primary design issue is that the OnePlus Watch 3 is still only offered in a single 47mm size. This means that those with smaller wrists might find the watch too large and uncomfortable. It’s a missed opportunity to cater to a wider range of wearers.
Rotating Crown: A Smartwatch Essential
A long-awaited feature of the OnePlus Watch 3 is its rotating crown, which now scrolls through screens—something missing from its predecessor. The addition of haptic feedback enhances the feel and functionality. This upgrade is a welcome step towards fully embracing a core tenet of smartwatch design: a rotating crown should scroll.
Improved Battery Life
The OnePlus Watch 3 boasts better battery life, extending from 100 hours in the previous model to 120 hours with the always-on display (AOD) turned off. The AOD shortens battery life to about three days, which is typical for current smartwatches. In power-saving mode, you can get up to 16 days of use. OnePlus managed to pack a larger 631mAh battery within the same frame, leveraging the same silicon nanostack battery used in the OnePlus 13 smartphone.
Enhanced Health Monitoring
In terms of health features, the OnePlus Watch 3 adds a wrist temperature sensor, an eight-channel optical heart rate sensor, and a 16-channel blood oxygen sensor. The GPS has been revamped with a “circular polarized antenna” to improve accuracy in urban environments.
Healthier Living: Advanced Health Checks
OnePlus’ 60S Health Check-In is a standout feature, allowing you to perform a quick scan of your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, mental wellness, wrist temperature, sleep quality, and vascular age by touching the side button. European users will gain access to EKGs in Q2 2025. Additionally, a vascular health test assesses the stiffness of your arteries, similar to a feature introduced by Oura.
Limitation with EKG Functionality
Disappointingly, the EKG functionality wouldn’t be available for users in the US or Canada initially. Spenser Blank, OnePlus spokesperson, cited FDA clearance issues as the primary reason, stating business decisions have prevented the company from pursuing FDA approval.
New Software and Slightly Larger Price Tag
Running on Wear OS 5, the OnePlus Watch 3 benefits from the latest smartwatch system, which likely extends its battery life. However, it’s now $329.99, a $30 increase from the OnePlus Watch 2. Despite the higher price, the additional features and refinements provide strong value.
Availability
The OnePlus Watch 3 is available for preorder starting today and will begin shipping on February 25th.
Have you tried the OnePlus Watch 3? Share your experience in the comments below. If you’re considering an upgrade, check out our reviews and experiences to decide if it’s the right fit for you. Don’t forget to subscribe to Archynetys for more updates on the latest tech innovations.
