Plus five-day battery life, Wear OS 5, a new GPS antenna, and a host of new health features.
The OnePlus Watch 3 is here, and while it doesn’t revolutionize the Android smartwatch landscape, it certainly refines the formula. At $329.99, this latest iteration from OnePlus focuses on incremental improvements rather than bold leaps, but sometimes, fine-tuning the experience is just as important as reinventing the wheel. And with the addition of a long-awaited, fully functional rotating crown, it’s clear that OnePlus has been listening to its users.
Sleeker Design with Thoughtful Tweaks
At first glance, the OnePlus Watch 3 doesn’t stray too far from its predecessor’s design language. However, there are several key refinements that make it a more polished wearable. The OLED display is now slightly larger, and with an impressive 2,200 nits of brightness, it remains easily readable even under direct sunlight. The bezels have been slimmed down thanks to a subtle design tweak, giving it a more modern and premium look.
A standout addition to the Watch 3 is the introduction of a titanium physical bezel, which enhances its classic analog appeal while maintaining the sturdy stainless steel casing. Despite these refinements, the Watch 3 still comes in only one size: 47mm. For users with smaller wrists, this remains a notable drawback. Offering multiple size options would have made the device more accessible and comfortable for a broader audience.
A Rotating Crown That Actually Scrolls
One of the most baffling oversights of the OnePlus Watch 2 was the inability to use its rotating crown for scrolling. Thankfully, OnePlus has corrected that mistake with the Watch 3. The new rotating crown is fully functional, providing smooth navigation with satisfying haptic feedback. While this might not seem groundbreaking, it’s a significant quality-of-life improvement that enhances usability. For smartwatch enthusiasts, a rotating crown that doesn’t scroll feels like a missed opportunity, so it’s reassuring to see OnePlus aligning with industry standards.
Battery Life: Longer and More Efficient
Battery life has seen a notable boost, extending from 100 hours to 120 hours under regular use (with the always-on display turned off). With the AOD enabled, users can expect around three days of battery life, which is fairly typical for flagship smartwatches. In power-saving mode, the Watch 3 can last up to an impressive 16 days. This extended longevity is thanks to a larger 631mAh battery, utilizing the same silicon nanostack battery technology found in the OnePlus 13 smartphone.
Charging speed has also been optimized, allowing users to get a full day’s worth of battery in just 10 minutes. While real-world battery performance remains to be fully tested, these improvements indicate that OnePlus is prioritizing efficiency without sacrificing power.
Enhanced Health and Fitness Tracking
OnePlus has made several changes to improve tracking accuracy, both in sensor technology and material design. The Watch 3 now includes an upgraded sensor array, featuring:
- A new wrist temperature sensor
- An advanced eight-channel optical heart rate sensor
- A 16-channel blood oxygen sensor
Additionally, the GPS system has been revamped with a “circular polarized antenna” to enhance accuracy, particularly in urban environments with tall buildings. While I haven’t had the chance to test its performance on a run yet, this could be a major selling point for fitness enthusiasts.
The Watch 3 is also capable of performing electrocardiograms (EKGs), but there’s a catch: this feature won’t be available in the US or Canada due to the lack of FDA clearance. OnePlus has stated that it does not plan to pursue clearance for “business reasons,” which is a disappointment given the growing importance of medical-grade health tracking in wearables.
Introducing OnePlus 60S Health Check-In and Vascular Health Test
A notable new addition is the OnePlus 60S Health Check-In, a feature that provides a quick snapshot of key health metrics, including heart rate, blood oxygen levels, wrist temperature, sleep quality, mental wellness, and vascular age. European users will also have access to EKG functionality starting in Q2 2025.
Another intriguing feature is the vascular health test, which measures arterial stiffness to gauge overall circulatory health. This is similar to a feature introduced by Oura last year and is designed to provide deeper insights into heart and vascular well-being.
Sleep and Stress Tracking: A Smarter Approach
OnePlus has overhauled its sleep tracking capabilities, adding new features such as snoring pattern analysis to help users identify breathing disruptions during sleep. Stress tracking has also been rebranded as “360 Mind and Body,” using heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and activity intensity to assess overall well-being.
The results? Expressed through emojis. Yes, instead of dry statistics, the Watch 3 attempts to communicate your stress levels in a more visual and intuitive manner. While I appreciate the attempt to make health tracking more engaging, I’m not entirely sold on this approach just yet. So far, my watch has mostly “roasted” me for my moderate wellness, which is an interesting—if not slightly amusing—way to provide feedback.
Software and Ecosystem: Incremental but Important Updates
The Watch 3 runs on Wear OS 5, which should contribute to additional battery savings and a smoother software experience. OnePlus has also introduced subtle UI improvements and new watch faces, including a video watch face that allows users to upload their own short clips. (Naturally, I uploaded a video of my cat asking for belly rubs.)
However, many of these software updates are not revolutionary but rather refinements of existing features found in competitor devices. Still, OnePlus’ unique take on these enhancements, combined with its focus on user experience, makes the Watch 3 a compelling alternative to Samsung and Google’s smartwatches.
Pricing and Availability
One notable change that may not sit well with everyone is the price increase. The OnePlus Watch 3 is $30 more expensive than its predecessor, though the company insists this has nothing to do with tariffs. While this price bump might be justified by the improved battery life, enhanced sensors, and a functional rotating crown, it still places the watch in a highly competitive segment where value is a key deciding factor.
Preorders for the OnePlus Watch 3 are available starting today, with shipments beginning on February 25th.
Final Thoughts: A Step Forward, Not a Leap
The OnePlus Watch 3 doesn’t reinvent the smartwatch, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it refines and polishes the experience, addressing past shortcomings and adding useful, if not groundbreaking, features. With improved battery life, better health tracking, and a proper rotating crown, it’s a strong alternative to Google and Samsung’s offerings.
For OnePlus fans or those looking for a Wear OS smartwatch with a sleek design and solid battery life, the Watch 3 is a compelling option. However, the lack of multiple size choices, the missing FDA clearance for EKG functionality, and the small price hike may give some potential buyers pause.
OnePlus may not be breaking new ground, but it’s proving that iteration and refinement can be just as valuable as innovation. And honestly? A functional rotating crown alone makes this a win in my book.
