Table of Contents
Highlights
- Having been launched officially on the 18th of February 2025, this new iteration of the OnePlus Watch 3 builds upon the many features of its predecessor.
- The brand has now fitted the device with a larger and significantly brighter display, along with a crown that is capable of rotating physically.
- Although a launch for Indian audiences has not been confirmed, it is expected to arrive in the coming months.
The China-based brand unveiled its latest smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch 3, last Tuesday, the 18th of February 2025. Boasting a bunch of upgrades and new features, this iteration builds on its predecessor, all the while introducing a good grade of improvements in the overall design, performance, and health tracking. Another big upgrade to the watch that must be mentioned is its battery life; OnePlus claims that it can last up to five days on a single charge.
A refreshed design
At a glance, the device may look like the Watch 2, but this new wearable features a comparatively larger 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display at 2,200 nits peak brightness, along with a titanium bezel and sapphire crystal glass cover. This premium look is further supported by the stainless steel chassis, which previously made an appearance on the Watch 2. OnePus has made the product available in two color options: Emerald and Obsidian Titanium. The green of the Emerald gives the watch an almost military look, while the black of the Obsidian Titanium is a masterful aesthetic design.
The wearable is also set to be 5ATM waterproof, with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance; also featuring a MIL-STD-810H rating. Much like the previous model, the OnePlus Watch 3 will be a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-only wearable and will not support a cellular connectivity option.
A notable addition to this version is the rotating crown, which allows users to use it as a scroll. This solves a key complaint that users had with the Watch 2. The watch retains its 47mm size, which, although it may feel a bit bulky for smaller wrists, is designed with a rugged aesthetic in mind and can even be used in extreme conditions.
Hardware Specifications
Taking a look underneath the glass, we find that the system is powered by the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset with 32 GB of onboard memory, paired with the new BES2800 co-processor for handling tasks that require low power.
The application of this dual setup, combining the Wear OS 5 for apps and features with a custom real-time operating System (RTOS) for the always-on display and other background activity, all but ensures that the device performs smoothly and has an extended battery life.
On the topic of battery, a 631 mAh battery now offers up to 5 days of usage on a single charge, albeit with the always-on display turned off. Another feature to note is the fast charging, providing a full day’s worth of usage with just a 10-minute charge.
Health Tracking
A major upside of using a smartwatch is its inherent capability to monitor its user’s health. In this regard, the Watch 3 has been fitted with advanced health monitoring features, including a 60-second health check-in. This feature analyzes various metrics, such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep quality, wrist temperature, and vascular health. For more accurate readings, it also features an 8-channel optical heart rate sensor and a 16-channel pulse oximeter.
There is a catch with the ECG feature, though. Users from the US and Canada will not be able to access the features as OnePlus could not receive official certification from the FDA regarding the Watch 3’s ECG capabilities. Users will be provided with a version of the 60-second Health Check, which will not include the ECG readings. This report comes straight from OnePlus, who had stated 9to5Google, so kudos to the brand for revealing the limitations so customers can make an informed decision during purchase.
OnePlus Watch 3 Price
The wearable is priced at $329, which is roughly 29,600 INR, and is available for pre-order globally. While the company has not yet confirmed any news for a launch in India, the device is expected to arrive in the coming months at a similar price tag. For comparison, the OnePlus Watch 2 was launched in India for 24,999 INR, in the month of February 2024. The OnePlus Watch 3 will begin shipping on the 25th of February, 2025.
With all this information, we can conclude that the Watch 3 is a major upgrade of its predecessor, and although sporting a premium design, it can be well utilized in harsh conditions. With good screen visibility, even outdoors, and an amazing battery life, users who prefer a smartwatch over an analog one are in for a treat.
