OnePlus Watch 2 does things no other smartwatch can do (actual review)

After three years, OnePlus returns to the smartwatch market with the OnePlus Watch 2. The original OnePlus Watch launched in 2021 struggled to compete with the likes of the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy as watches due to a bland operating system and features. The new OnePlus Watch 2 is packed with features, including the first dual-OS, dual-chipset setup in a smartwatch. We’ve got a first-hand look at the OnePlus Watch 2, here’s what you should know.

Models, prices and availability

OnePlus launched the OnePlus Watch 2 at the MWC 2024 event in Barcelona. The smartwatch comes in a single size and is only available in a Wi-Fi version, not a Wi-Fi + cellular option. The OnePlus Watch 2 is priced at $299 in the US and comes in gloss steel (silver) and black steel (stainless steel black).

Pre-orders are open on OnePlus.com, with wider availability starting on March 4, 2024. The watch will also be available on Amazon from March 11, 2024. Still, if you’re planning to buy one, you should know that OnePlus has an exciting deal on the Watch 2. Interested buyers can get a $50 discount by trading in any watch in any terms, and Amazon Prime members can also get a $50 discount.

Specification

Design and display

Embrace the classic round look

While the Apple Watch has opted for an angular look, including square edges and rounded corners, Wear OS smartwatches – since the days of the first Moto 360 – have adopted a traditional rounded look. The OnePlus Watch 2 follows suit with a round chassis. Although the display appears to be flat, it is protected by a 2.5D sapphire crystal cover and has two buttons on the right side. Overall, the OnePlus Watch 2 does look sportier than the Galaxy Watch 6 or even the Pixel Watch 2.

In terms of materials, the OnePlus Watch 2 features a stainless steel chassis that prevents rust and corrosion. Even in terms of durability, the OnePlus Watch 2 is on par with other smartwatches with MIL-STD-810H military certification and IP68 dust and water resistance. The watch is also 5ATM waterproof, making it suitable for swimming.

Moving to the front, the OnePlus Watch 2 features a 1.43-inch circular display with a pixel density of 326. And, as mentioned above, the OnePlus Watch 2 is only available in a single size. While OnePlus didn’t reveal peak brightness, the display remains clearly visible even in sunlight. As for watch faces, OnePlus includes 20 built-in watch faces and more than 80 watch faces can be downloaded through the OHealth app.

Software and performance

Dual-chipset, hybrid OS approach

Now, let’s take a look at the exciting features of OnePlus Watch 2. OnePlus Watch 2 is the first smartwatch to integrate two chipsets and two different operating systems into one device. It is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor (running and processing Wear OS 4) and features the BES2700 efficient processor running on OnePlus’ own RTOS. But why did OnePlus go with this unique setup? Well, it’s all about the software experience and battery life.

Thanks to a dual-chipset, dual-OS setup, the OnePlus Watch 2 has an impressive battery life of up to 100 hours. This means you only have to charge your smartwatch once every three or four days. In comparison, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 only provide 18 hours and 40 hours of battery life on a single charge.

It’s worth noting that the claimed 100 hours applies to “smart mode,” where the watch seamlessly switches between the two operating systems based on usage. Under heavy use, the watch can still be used for up to 48 hours. Early impressions of the watch are very good, I could easily use it for nearly three days without needing to charge.

Then there’s the improved software experience. The original OnePlus Watch was criticized for having limited software and sluggish performance compared to Wear OS devices. With a more powerful Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor, the OnePlus Watch 2 can now run Wear OS 4 with OnePlus’ RTOS. This allows access to Google apps and third-party apps from the Play Store, significantly improving the software experience.

From the animation to the performance, first impressions of this watch are great. Wear OS 4’s app selection is so great that you’ll barely notice when it switches to a more powerful chipset and operating system. For those wondering, yes, you can use Google Assistant on the OnePlus Watch 2. It’s worth noting, however, that Strava integration isn’t available at launch, but is expected to be added soon.

Fitness and health tracking

Ability to track over 100 sports

When it comes to fitness and health tracking, the OnePlus Watch 2 is packed with features. It can monitor more than 100 sports, with a special focus on certain sports such as badminton, where it can analyze swing strength and speed. For running, it provides detailed data and even some advanced stats like touchdown time, ground balance, and VO2 max. The watch also uses dual-frequency GPS for precise tracking. All these metrics are accessible through the OHealth app.

The Watch also offers sleep tracking, providing insights into deep sleep, light sleep, REM sleep, and advanced statistics including sleep quality scores and snoring risk assessments. In addition, OnePlus Watch 2 also has safety features such as stress detection, blood oxygen monitoring, low and high heart rate detection, and sleep apnea detection. However, it’s worth noting that temperature tracking and fall detection are included here.

OnePlus Watch 2 initial impressions

A welcome addition to the Wear OS smartwatch market

I’ll be honest; the OnePlus Watch 2 shows a lot of potential. In the little time I’ve had with the device, the dual-OS, dual-chipset setup is impressive, but I’m curious to see if it will stay smooth over time. It does lack some features I’d expect at this price point, like fall detection, temperature sensors, and there’s no cellular option. Additionally, a single size product may not fit everyone. That said, the OnePlus Watch 2 seems to be a good value for money. We’ll have to wait for the full review to see how that plays out.