OnePlus Watch 3 Review

Is the OnePlus Watch 3 the ultimate Android smartwatch in 2025?

If you’re hunting for a wearable that blends flagship-tier battery life, premium materials, and cutting-edge health tracking, this OnePlus Watch 3 review is your no-nonsense guide. Whether you’re comparing it to the Pixel Watch 3 or upgrading from a fitness band, we break down everything—design, software, battery life, and more—so you know exactly what you’re strapping onto your wrist. Let’s dive in.

Related: Garmin Vivoactive 6 Review

OnePlus Watch 3 Overview

The OnePlus Watch 3 delivers a rare combo of luxury build, week-long battery life, and feature-packed performance. Powered by a dual-chip setup and running Wear OS 5, it’s one of the most well-rounded smartwatches you can buy—especially for Android users tired of daily charging rituals.

Key Specs at a Glance

The OnePlus Watch 3 launched in mid-2025 with a retail price of $299 USD, placing it squarely in the premium-but-accessible category. It’s widely available via the OnePlus website, Amazon, and select retailers.

You can grab the Watch 3 in two elegant finishes:

• Radiant Black (with a high-polish look)
• Midnight Titanium (for a more subdued, matte vibe)

Expect occasional discounts, especially if you’re bundling it with a OnePlus phone.

Dimensions, Display & Internals

Under the hood, the OnePlus Watch 3 is a beast in disguise. Here’s the quick breakdown:

• Dimensions: 46.6 × 47.6 × 11.75 mm
• Display: 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED, 466 × 466 resolution, 2,200 nits peak brightness
• Processor: Snapdragon W5 + BES2700 MCU (dual-engine architecture)
• RAM / Storage: 2 GB RAM + 32 GB internal storage
• OS: Wear OS 5 + RTOS hybrid system
• Battery Life: 4–6 days (Smart Mode), up to 14 days (Power Saver)

It’s built to run smooth, run long, and stay legible even under harsh sunlight—something many AMOLED watches still struggle with.

Design & Build Quality

Let’s talk wrist presence. The OnePlus Watch 3 ditches plastic in favor of titanium alloy, giving it a luxe look and a premium in-hand (and on-wrist) feel. The sapphire crystal glass on top offers serious scratch resistance—ideal if you’re living an active life or just clumsy with doorknobs.

Even the backplate is stainless steel, which not only feels more robust but also plays nicer with your skin over time compared to cheaper polymer bases.

Bottom line? This smartwatch feels like a timepiece—more TAG Heuer, less toy.

Size, Weight & Fit

The Watch 3 clocks in at 46.6 × 47.6 × 11.75 mm, which puts it on the larger side. It’s definitely bold on smaller wrists, but it wears lighter than you’d expect thanks to smart weight distribution and the titanium chassis.

It’s not paper-thin, but the curve of the case helps it nestle nicely into your wrist—especially once you’ve swapped out the band for something more tailored.

If you like statement watches or have average-to-larger wrists, you’ll love how it feels. But small-wristed folks may wish for a more compact option.

Straps & Accessory Ecosystem

Strap lovers, rejoice. The OnePlus Watch 3 uses a 22mm universal lug, which means it’s compatible with virtually every standard strap on the market. Whether you want leather, metal, silicone, or a woven nylon vibe, your options are endless.

Out of the box, it ships with a silicone sport band—comfortable, sweat-resistant, and ready for workouts. But if you’re heading to the office or a wedding, it’s easy to dress it up in seconds.

Compared to proprietary strap systems like the Pixel Watch’s, this is a win for flexibility, style, and affordability.

Display Quality

The OnePlus Watch 3 boasts a gorgeous 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display, and trust us—it pops. With a pixel resolution of 466 × 466, visuals are razor-sharp, and colors are bold without being oversaturated. The real headline here? A peak brightness of 2,200 nits.

That makes it one of the brightest smartwatches on the market. Whether you’re under harsh sunlight during a morning run or just checking notifications during your coffee break, readability is effortless. The adaptive brightness feature adjusts swiftly, and the high refresh rate keeps animations smooth and fluid.

It’s not just a screen—it’s a statement.

DC-Dimmed vs PWM Flicker

OnePlus has taken user comfort seriously. The Watch 3 uses DC dimming, which is a huge win for those sensitive to PWM (pulse-width modulation) flicker. Many AMOLED displays cause eye strain or headaches over long use due to invisible flickering at low brightness.

DC dimming keeps flicker to a minimum, making this screen not only beautiful but also comfortable for prolonged viewing—even at night.

If screen fatigue is a dealbreaker for you, the OnePlus Watch 3 is a top-tier pick.

Always-On Display Modes

Yes, the OnePlus Watch 3 supports Always-On Display (AOD)—but it goes a step further with customizable AOD styles. From minimal analog to bold digital designs, there’s a look for every wrist personality.

And thanks to that efficient LTPO panel, battery life barely takes a hit when AOD is active. You can leave it on 24/7 without obsessing over battery drain.

A nice touch: AOD even adapts brightness based on ambient light—so it’s visible in daylight but dims in darker environments. Smart, subtle, and stylish.

Software & UI Experience

Here’s where things get spicy. The OnePlus Watch 3 is one of the first smartwatches to launch with Wear OS 5—Google’s latest and most refined wearable operating system. But OnePlus didn’t stop there. They paired it with their custom RTOS (real-time OS) for hybrid flexibility.

So what does that mean for you?

• Wear OS handles the smart stuff: app access, notifications, tiles, voice control, and Google Assistant.
• RTOS handles the background health tracking, system performance, and battery efficiency.

The result? You get a rich feature set without the typical Wear OS battery tax. It’s fast when you need it and frugal when you don’t.

Rotating Crown Navigation & Haptics

Navigation on the OnePlus Watch 3 is a delight. The rotating crown isn’t just for show—it provides fluid, tactile scrolling that’s responsive and precise. Want to fly through menus, notifications, or widgets without smudging the screen? The crown’s your best friend.

The haptic feedback is also top-notch. Subtle, strong, and satisfying—this isn’t the buzzy, hollow vibration of older watches. Each press and scroll delivers a premium “click” feel that makes interactions feel intentional and refined.

OnePlus OHealth App Overview

Meet OHealth—OnePlus’ reimagined health and fitness companion app. Whether you’re on Android or iOS, OHealth acts as your all-in-one hub for wellness insights.

You’ll find:

• Daily activity summaries (steps, calories, move goals)
• Sleep analysis, including deep/REM breakdown
• Continuous heart rate & SpO2 tracking
• Stress monitoring & guided breathing
• Workout logs & GPS mapping

The interface is clean, intuitive, and responsive. Plus, the sync between the OnePlus Watch 3 and the app is fast and reliable—no annoying delays or syncing issues.

Performance & Hardware

The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 is the star of the show here. It’s Qualcomm’s latest wearable chip, purpose-built for performance and efficiency. But what makes the OnePlus Watch 3 unique is the dual-chip setup—it pairs the W5 with the BES2700 MCU, a low-power co-processor.

This dual-engine design is smart:

• The W5 takes over when you’re actively using apps or features.
• The MCU kicks in during idle time, handling low-power tasks silently.

This is why the Watch 3 feels lightning-fast and lasts nearly a week.

RAM & Storage

With 2 GB of RAM, the OnePlus Watch 3 has no trouble juggling multiple apps, notifications, or background tasks. Swipes are instant, voice commands are recognized fast, and app load times are snappy.

The 32 GB of onboard storage means you can:

• Download more apps directly via the Play Store
• Sync playlists from Spotify or YouTube Music for offline use
• Store hundreds of watch faces or a full library of workout data

It’s more than enough for everyday needs—and then some.

Processor Benchmarks

In day-to-day use, the OnePlus Watch 3 just flows. Swiping through menus is fluid, tapping into apps is instant, and there’s virtually zero stutter—a rarity even among top-tier Wear OS devices.

Benchmarks? The Snapdragon W5 consistently outperforms the Exynos chip in the Pixel Watch 2/3 in both performance and energy efficiency.

But numbers aside, it’s the feel that counts. And this watch? It feels fast, responsive, and—most importantly—reliable.

Health & Fitness Tracking

The OnePlus Watch 3 steps up its wellness game with an upgraded PPG heart-rate sensor and, yes, an ECG (electrocardiogram)—but with a catch. While the ECG feature is fully enabled in global markets like India and parts of Europe, it’s currently disabled in North America due to pending regulatory approval.

That said, the heart-rate tracking is excellent across the board. Continuous monitoring is accurate, responsive during workouts, and syncs in real-time to the OHealth app. If you’re looking to stay on top of your cardio health, this watch brings serious value.

SpO₂, Skin Temperature & Bio-metrics

The OnePlus Watch 3 continues the trend of packing high-end sensors into a sleek frame. You get:

• SpO₂ (blood oxygen monitoring): Works both spot-check and continuously overnight.
• Skin temperature tracking: Great for sleep insights and general wellness trends.
• Stress detection: Uses HRV (heart rate variability) to provide real-time stress scores.

These bio-metrics don’t just look good on a dashboard—they’re backed by legit accuracy, making the OnePlus Watch 3 a real contender for health-conscious users.

Sleep & Stress Monitoring

Sleep tracking on the OnePlus Watch 3 is surprisingly comprehensive. You get full breakdowns of:

• Light, deep, and REM sleep cycles
• Blood oxygen levels during sleep
• Restfulness and movement tracking
• Sleep regularity scores over time

Stress monitoring runs throughout the day, with gentle nudges to breathe when your levels spike. It’s not just data—it’s actionable insight, all tied into the intuitive OHealth app.

Workout Modes & GPS

Whether you’re a weekend jogger or a data-driven athlete, the OnePlus Watch 3 has your back with over 100 workout modes, including running, cycling, swimming, HIIT, and yoga.

The real star? Dual-band GPS (L1 + L5). This delivers more accurate tracking even in dense urban areas or tricky terrain, beating many competitors in real-world testing.

The watch auto-detects common workouts, records VO₂ Max, and provides post-workout analysis like recovery time and training load. It’s not quite Garmin-level, but it’s closer than ever.

Related: Xiaomi Watch S4 Review

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life is where the OnePlus Watch 3 crushes the competition. In Smart Mode, you’ll get 4 to 6 days of usage—with features like GPS, heart rate monitoring, and AOD turned on.

Switch to Power Saver Mode, and it stretches up to 16 days! You still get notifications, steps, sleep, and heart rate tracking. It’s perfect for travel or low-maintenance users who hate charging cables.

This endurance alone makes the OnePlus Watch 3 the battery king of Wear OS watches.

Fast-Charging

Running out the door? No problem.

The OnePlus Watch 3 supports blazing-fast charging:

• 10 minutes = 24 hours of use
• Full charge = ~30 minutes

You won’t need to charge it daily, but when you do, it won’t slow you down. OnePlus has nailed convenience here, and it’s one of the watch’s most user-loved features.

Real-World Battery Tests & Tips

In real-world use with moderate notifications, AOD, and two workouts a week, the OnePlus Watch 3 consistently hits 5+ days.

Pro tips:

• Disable AOD at night to save juice.
• Keep brightness on “Auto.”
• Use Power Saver Mode during travel.

With a little optimization, you can squeeze out even more—and that’s without sacrificing performance.

Connectivity & Extras

The OnePlus Watch 3 offers a full suite of wireless features:

• Bluetooth 5.2 for stable phone/watch connection
• Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) for speedy app downloads and syncs
• NFC for tap-to-pay (depending on your region and bank support)

It’s fast, reliable, and keeps your experience frictionless.

LTE / eSIM (What’s Missing)

Here’s one area where the OnePlus Watch 3 falls short: there’s no LTE or eSIM support.

If you’re looking for a watch that works entirely untethered from your phone, this isn’t it—at least not yet. No streaming music on-the-go without your phone. No standalone calls or texts.

It’s a notable omission, especially since other premium watches (like the Pixel Watch 2/3 or Galaxy Watch 6) do support LTE. But OnePlus has prioritized battery life over full cellular independence.

Smart Features

Even without LTE, the OnePlus Watch 3 delivers on core smart features:

• Google Wallet for tap payments
• Rich notifications with reply options (text, emoji, voice)
• Google Assistant voice control with excellent microphone pickup

App support is also solid thanks to Wear OS 5. You can download your favorite tools like Spotify, Strava, and Google Maps—right on the watch.

It’s smart enough to feel like a true extension of your phone, without the fluff.

Apps & Ecosystem

Thanks to Wear OS 5, the OnePlus Watch 3 brings the full power of the Google Play Store straight to your wrist. You can download a growing list of wrist-optimized apps—from Spotify and Google Maps to Strava, Todoist, YouTube Music, and even WhatsApp.

It’s a massive upgrade over the app-less original OnePlus Watch and marks a major shift in OnePlus’ wearable strategy. Setup is smooth, and app syncing works seamlessly with most Android phones.

This is a true smartwatch experience—not just a fitness tracker with notifications.

Third-Party App Support & Limitations

That said, not every app is optimized for the round display or compact interface of the OnePlus Watch 3. Some apps feel cramped, and others don’t yet support wrist-based interactions. Also, iPhone users are out of luck, as there’s no iOS support at launch.

Still, the foundation is here. With Google’s backing, and OnePlus’ dual-OS magic, expect support to grow fast. Just be aware: it’s not quite Apple Watch-level in terms of app maturity—but it’s catching up.

Comparisons & Alternatives

OnePlus Watch 3 vs Google Pixel Watch 3

The OnePlus Watch 3 absolutely outshines the Pixel Watch 3 in battery life, build quality, and screen brightness. Where the Pixel struggles to make it past 24 hours, the Watch 3 cruises for days.

That said, the Pixel Watch 3 wins in Google ecosystem integration and LTE support. If you’re deeply invested in Google Fit and want LTE on the go, Pixel still has the edge. But for battery, ruggedness, and price-to-value ratio? The OnePlus Watch 3 is hard to beat.

OnePlus Watch 3 vs OnePlus Watch 2

Upgrading from the Watch 2? Here’s what you’re getting with the OnePlus Watch 3:

• Brighter, more efficient LTPO AMOLED
• Stronger build with titanium frame & sapphire glass
• Dual-band GPS, ECG, and temperature sensor
• Wear OS 5 + RTOS, giving it more flexibility and app access

It’s a significant evolution—not just a spec bump. If you loved the Watch 2’s endurance but wanted more smart features, the Watch 3 is the answer.

OnePlus Watch 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Series

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 may be the smartest Wear OS watch, but the OnePlus Watch 3 is the most practical.

Pros for OnePlus:

• 3–4x better battery life
• More rugged and durable body
• Faster charging

Pros for Samsung:

• Better app ecosystem (Samsung Health, LTE)
• Two size options
• More advanced ECG (fully certified)

If you want daily LTE calls and heavy app use, Samsung wins. If you value longevity and sleek design, OnePlus takes the crown.

Fitness-First Alternatives

If your top priority is fitness data and training insights, then the OnePlus Watch 3 offers an excellent middle ground between smart and sport.

But serious athletes may still lean toward:

• Garmin Forerunner/Fenix: Elite training analytics, long battery, pro GPS
• Coros Vertix/Pace: Lightweight, endurance-focused
• Fitbit Sense/Charge: More wellness-centric but with deeper integration with Fitbit Premium

The OnePlus Watch 3 won’t replace your Garmin during a marathon prep, but for everyday health, workouts, and smart functions, it hits a sweet spot others miss.

Pros & Cons

What We Loved

Best-in-class battery life for a full-featured Wear OS smartwatch
Rotating crown for satisfying, intuitive navigation
Brilliant display with 2,200 nits brightness
Sleek titanium body with premium sapphire glass
Robust health tracking, including dual-band GPS and SpO₂
Fast-charging that beats most of the competition

What Could Be Better

ECG feature locked in North America (for now)
No LTE/eSIM support, limiting untethered use
Only one size (46mm)—may not suit smaller wrists
Limited iOS support (basically Android-only)
No third-party strap optimization from OnePlus yet

Who Should Buy the OnePlus Watch 3?

The OnePlus Watch 3 isn’t trying to be all things to all people—but it hits the bullseye for a few distinct groups.

Fitness Fanatics:
With advanced health tracking features like dual-band GPS, SpO₂ monitoring, heart rate with ECG, and over 100 workout modes, this watch is a beast for weekend warriors, gym junkies, and outdoor adventurers. If you want reliable stats with zero downtime, this watch delivers.

“Set-and-Forget” Wearers:
Hate charging your smartwatch every day? The OnePlus Watch 3‘s 4–6 day battery life in Smart Mode—and up to 16 days in Power Saver—makes it perfect for people who want all the smarts without micromanaging battery levels.

Android Power Users:
If you’re already rocking a OnePlus phone or any Android flagship, this watch fits right into your ecosystem. Notifications, call handling, and Google Assistant access all work flawlessly.

Avoid it if:

• You need LTE on your wrist
• You’re an iPhone user (not supported)
• You prefer smaller watch sizes (only available in 46mm)

Deals, Bundles & Where to Buy

The OnePlus Watch 3 launched globally with a price tag of $299 / £299 / €329, placing it firmly in the mid-premium smartwatch tier.

Where to Buy:

• Official OnePlus Store: Often bundles the Watch 3 with OnePlus phones or accessories
• Amazon & Best Buy: Usually reliable with early stock and fast shipping
• Carrier Retailers (select regions): Sometimes offer bundled discounts with phone plans

Pro Tip:

OnePlus frequently runs launch promotions—check for free strap bundles, OHealth scale combos, or student discounts. Also, look out for flash sales during Prime Day, Black Friday, or back-to-school events.

Final Verdict & Rating

The OnePlus Watch 3 is a confident, capable, and stylish upgrade in the smartwatch space. It doesn’t chase every feature—but it nails the ones that matter: battery life, health tracking, smooth UI, and premium design.

If you’re on Android and want a watch that looks sharp, lasts long, and works smart—without babysitting the battery—this one’s a standout.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5)

A few missing extras (like LTE and ECG in North America) hold it back from perfection, but for most users, the OnePlus Watch 3 offers unbeatable value in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)