OnePlus Watch 3 Shocks the Smartwatch World with a 120‑Hour Battery (Is It 2025's Best Wearable?)

Key Facts

Launch & Availability: Unveiled in February 2025 and released globally in April after a brief delay (caused by a “Meda in China” typo on early units) techradar.com. Initially priced around $329 USD / £269 in core markets techradar.com, though a last-minute U.S. price hike to $500 sparked controversy (later corrected with a ~$150 refund to early buyers) arstechnica.com arstechnica.com. OnePlus offers one 46 mm size at launch (Obsidian Black or Emerald Green), with a smaller 43 mm variant (Silver Steel) introduced in July 2025 techradar.com techradar.com.
Design & Build: Classic round design with premium materials – a stainless steel case upgraded with a titanium alloy bezel and a sapphire crystal watch face for toughness techradar.com. It features a new rotating digital crown for navigation (a first for OnePlus) techradar.com, plus a side button. The larger model is robust and chunky at ~81 g with strap techradar.com androidcentral.com, emphasizing a bold “dress watch” aesthetic techradar.com, while the 43 mm model trims weight to just 37.8 g for smaller wrists techradar.com. Both sizes are 5 ATM water-resistant and built to handle daily wear and outdoor use.
Performance & OS: Runs Wear OS 5 (with promised upgrades through Wear OS 7 by 2027) techradar.com, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 chip alongside a secondary BES MCU. This dual-processor, dual-OS architecture (Wear OS + RTOS) intelligently switches to low-power mode to maximize endurance techradar.com techradar.com. The result is buttery-smooth performance on Wear OS and full access to Google’s app ecosystem (Play Store, Maps, Assistant, etc.) techradar.com. The new rotating crown makes UI navigation effortless (especially during workouts when touchscreens falter) techradar.com. Connectivity includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; an LTE model exists in China, and OnePlus is working with carriers to launch LTE globally in the future androidcentral.com androidcentral.com.
Health & Fitness Features: Packed with sensors and wellness tech. Includes optical heart rate and SpO₂ (blood oxygen) monitoring, plus a new ECG electrocardiogram feature that can assess your heart’s health/“heart age” (not yet FDA-cleared in the U.S.) techradar.com techradar.com. OnePlus’s “Mind & Body” tracking suite uses metrics like heart rate variability and a real-time barometer to gauge stress and even fatigue levels every 30 minutes techradar.com. There’s built-in dual-frequency GPS for improved workout tracking accuracy techradar.com. The watch supports 100+ sport modes (with specialized metrics for 11 “pro” activities like running) techradar.com, including a new Pro Running mode with a personal running coach and fat-burning evaluations for serious training androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com. Sleep tracking has been enhanced for greater accuracy and now tracks naps and sleep quality with a consolidated sleep score techradar.com.
Battery Life & Charging: Boasts a class-leading 120-hour battery life per charge (about 5 days in full “smart” mode) techradar.com – the best Wear OS battery life on the market techradar.com. This endurance far outlasts rivals like Apple and Samsung, and real-world tests back it up: tech reviewers reported 5–6 days on a charge with normal use androidheadlines.com x.com. Even the smaller 43 mm model manages ~4 days in practice androidheadlines.com. Fast charging is another plus – the Watch 3 refuels fully in under 1 hour androidheadlines.com. OnePlus uniquely provides a detachable USB-C charging puck (not hardwired to a cable), making it easier to pack and use with existing phone chargers androidheadlines.com (including OnePlus’s own SuperVOOC chargers for rapid top-ups).
Pros & Cons: Early reviews praise the Watch 3’s exceptional battery endurance, premium build and design, and the benefit of full Google app support thanks to Wear OS techradar.com. New health additions like ECG and advanced stress tracking, plus the intuitive rotating crown, all add to its appeal techradar.com techradar.com. However, the watch’s large, heavy case in the 46 mm version was a common critique (OnePlus has directly addressed this by rolling out the smaller model) techradar.com techradar.com. Another early downside was the lack of LTE option outside China, which OnePlus says it is actively working to fix through carrier partnerships androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. A few reviewers noted minor fitness tracking quirks (e.g. occasional swim stroke counting inaccuracies and slight inconsistencies in sleep data interpretation) but nothing deal-breaking techradar.com techradar.com.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus Watch 3 makes a bold first impression as a sleek yet substantial timepiece. It retains the round, classic look of its predecessor, resembling a traditional dress watch more than a sporty gadget techradar.com. OnePlus has doubled down on premium materials: the Watch 3’s frame is stainless steel, now accented by a harder titanium bezel for extra durability (an upgrade from the all-steel bezel on the Watch 2) techradar.com. Covering the 1.5-inch AMOLED display is a sapphire crystal lens, rated 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which significantly boosts scratch resistance oneplus.com techradar.com. These high-end materials give the watch a luxe feel normally seen in pricier flagships.

In terms of size, the Watch 3 measures ~46.6 × 47.6 mm and 11 mm thick techradar.com, making it fairly chunky. With the strap, the 46 mm model weighs about 80–81 g androidcentral.com – you can definitely feel it on the wrist. This hefty build contributes to a sense of robustness and has drawn praise for its “classic, big, beautiful” aesthetic techradar.com techradar.com. But it won’t suit everyone: smaller-wristed users and those preferring a lightweight fitness watch found the Watch 3 a bit too large and heavy for all-day wear techradar.com techradar.com. OnePlus heard that feedback loud and clear. In July 2025 they introduced a downsized 43 mm version – the same watch in a more compact, 37.8 g chassis (only available in a polished Silver Steel finish) techradar.com. This new option, which OnePlus calls its “most compact smartwatch ever,” addresses the comfort issue for people with smaller wrists or those who simply want a lighter feel techradar.com androidcentral.com.

Notably, the OnePlus Watch 3 is the brand’s first model to feature a rotating crown on the side – a design element clearly inspired by the Apple Watch’s famed Digital Crown. On the Watch 3, the top-right button both presses and rotates, allowing you to scroll through apps and menus without having to swipe the touchscreen techradar.com techradar.com. This makes navigation “efficient and intuitive” techradar.com, especially during workouts or when your fingers are sweaty, a scenario where twisting a crown is simply easier than smudging the screen techradar.com. (Interestingly, the prior OnePlus Watch 2 also had a side button that physically rotated, but it didn’t actually do anything in software – it was just for show community.oneplus.com 9to5google.com. The Watch 3 fixes that by adding proper functionality to the rotating crown, which will please Wear OS users accustomed to such controls on other brands.) There’s also a secondary button below the crown for quick actions (by default it opens workouts) techradar.com.

The straps use a quick-release pin mechanism that reviewers found “dead easy” to swap techradar.com, and OnePlus offers a variety of strap options (including silicone and leather). The watch carries a 5 ATM water resistance rating techradar.com, equivalent to about 50 m, so it’s safe for showers, swims, and general water exposure. In styling, OnePlus leans into a refined look: the Watch 3’s launch colors – Obsidian (black) and Emerald (dark green) – have a subdued, outdoorsy appeal techradar.com, while the smaller 43 mm’s Silver Steel exudes a more traditional, jewelry-like vibe techradar.com. There’s no rotating bezel or sporty tachymeter markings here; OnePlus went for a minimalist bezel and even printed subtle 12-hour indices on the smaller model’s dial for a classic touch techradar.com. Overall, the Watch 3’s design has been well-received for its premium feel and timeless style – TechRadar noted it “looks great whilst doing” all its tracking duties techradar.com techradar.com – but it’s also unmistakably a big watch, now thankfully available in two sizes to broaden its appeal.

Wear OS, Performance, and Features

One of the biggest shifts in OnePlus’s wearable journey was moving to Google’s Wear OS platform – a change fully realized by the time of the Watch 2 and now refined in the Watch 3. The OnePlus Watch 3 runs Wear OS 5, the latest version of Google’s smartwatch operating system (as of 2025), layered with some OnePlus custom health apps and watch faces. The experience will feel familiar to anyone who’s used a modern Wear OS device: you get the Google Play Store on your wrist with access to countless apps (Spotify, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Strava, etc.), Google Assistant integration, notifications synced from your phone, and more techradar.com. Unlike the first-gen OnePlus Watch (which ran a barebones RTOS and was widely panned techradar.com), the Watch 3 provides the full smartwatch experience thanks to Wear OS – TechRadar even calls it “a lovely Wear OS dress watch” that’s likely to rank among the best Android watches of the year techradar.com techradar.com.

Under the hood, OnePlus uses a clever dual-chip system to balance power and efficiency. The primary engine is the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 wearable SoC, which handles all the heavy lifting for Wear OS apps and interface techradar.com. Complementing it is a secondary BES2800 microcontroller that runs a lightweight Real-Time OS in the background techradar.com. OnePlus’s software seamlessly switches between these two platforms – using the power-hungry Snapdragon and Wear OS when you’re actively engaging with apps, but falling back to the low-power chip for tasks like all-day heart-rate monitoring, step counting, and standby mode techradar.com techradar.com. This is the secret sauce behind the Watch 3’s marathon battery life (more on that soon). Importantly, these handoffs are invisible to the user; the watch behaves like any other Wear OS device, but behind the scenes it’s optimizing constantly. “Our software seamlessly switches operations between these two chipsets, enabling the Watch 3 to run with maximum efficiency,” explained OnePlus’s CMO for Europe techradar.com techradar.com. OnePlus even upgraded the battery technology itself with a new “Silicon NanoStack” cell (borrowed from their smartphone division) to increase energy density techradar.com.

In terms of raw performance, the consensus is that the OnePlus Watch 3 is snappy and smooth. The Snapdragon W5, paired with ample RAM, handles Wear OS 5 without hiccups – apps open fast, animations are fluid, and interactions are responsive. In fact, one reviewer noted it performs “as smoothly and as well as any Wear OS watch [they’ve] used, including the Google Pixel Watch 3” techradar.com. The 1.5″ AMOLED display (a flexible LTPO panel) is bright and vibrant, reaching up to 1000 nits in high brightness mode and even a boosted 2200 nits in sunlight for outdoor visibility watchesonline.com. An Always-On Display mode is available, and even with AOD enabled the Watch 3’s battery still outlasts most competitors x.com.

Crucially, the new rotating crown isn’t just a gimmick – it deeply enhances the user interface. Scrolling through long menus or notification feeds with a finger on a small screen can be tedious; the crown fixes that. TechRadar highlighted that the rotating crown “makes navigating through apps and menus efficient and intuitive”, and it’s especially handy when sweaty fingers make touch controls less reliable techradar.com techradar.com. The crown press acts as the home button, while a second side button can be customized (by default it jumps into the workout app for quick start tracking techradar.com). Combined with swipes on the touchscreen, the control scheme will feel natural to anyone coming from an Apple Watch or higher-end Garmin that uses similar crowns. Notably, Samsung’s recent watches (aside from some with physical rotating bezels) lack a rotating crown, so OnePlus is scoring points with Wear OS fans here techradar.com techradar.com.

The Watch 3 comes with 32 GB of internal storage (as per listings) amazon.com, which is plenty of space to store music offline (Spotify playlists, etc.) or download apps. Connectivity is standard for an Android wearable: Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi keep it connected to your phone or networks. There’s no speaker on board (so you can’t take phone calls on the wrist), but you do get a microphone for voice commands. One feature notably missing at launch is cellular connectivity outside of China. OnePlus did release an LTE-capable Watch 3 in its home market, but for North America and Europe the initial models are Bluetooth-only androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. The company cited the need to negotiate with carriers for eSIM support as the main holdup, not any technical limitation androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. The good news is OnePlus confirmed that LTE versions are in the works – they’re prioritizing Europe first, then possibly the U.S., although no firm timeline was given androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. In the meantime, users will need to keep the Watch paired to their phone for connectivity, as with most Wear OS devices (the watch does support standalone GPS and music, so you can run phone-free and sync later).

One area OnePlus promises to support is software updates. The Watch 3 will get three years of OS and security updates techradar.com, meaning it’s slated to receive Wear OS 6 and 7 down the line. While that’s not quite Apple-level longevity, it’s on par with Google’s Pixel Watch promise and shows commitment given the rapid evolution of Wear OS. In early updates, OnePlus has already issued patches addressing some user feedback. For instance, within two months of launch they rolled out fixes to what one reviewer called his “biggest problem,” by confirming the smaller model and LTE plans – which turned the Watch 3 into a device he “can recommend to everybody” techradar.com techradar.com. The overall takeaway is that the OnePlus Watch 3 offers a full-featured smartwatch experience that is fluid, feature-rich, and now one of the best in the Android camp. As TechRadar’s editor Matt Evans put it, “The OnePlus Watch 3 has become my favorite Android watch of 2025” techradar.com. That’s high praise in a field that includes Google, Samsung, and others.

Health, Fitness, and Smart Features

OnePlus has positioned the Watch 3 as not just a tech gadget but a bona fide health and fitness companion. Building on the sensor suite from the previous model, the Watch 3 covers all the basics and then some. Continuous heart rate monitoring is a given – the optical HR sensor tracks your pulse 24/7 and during exercise, with reviewers finding it “pretty accurate,” comparable even to specialized devices like the Whoop strap androidheadlines.com. The watch will alert you to abnormally high or low heart rates and supports heart rate zone training during workouts. There’s also a blood oxygen (SpO₂) sensor for spot checks or ongoing monitoring (useful for altitude acclimation or wellness tracking). At night, the Watch 3 can log your average SpO₂ and even flag potential issues; in fact, OnePlus touts that the Watch 3 can help detect sleep apnea risks by analyzing blood oxygen dips and breathing patterns during sleep techradar.com samsung.com – a feature also seen on recent Apple and Samsung wearables.

A headline new feature is the built-in ECG (electrocardiogram). By touching your finger to the case, the Watch 3 can record a single-lead ECG, allowing it to detect signs of atrial fibrillation or irregular heart rhythm techradar.com. OnePlus has gone a step further by deriving a “Heart Health Index” from the ECG data: essentially the watch can estimate your cardiac age – for example, telling a very fit 40-year-old that they have the “heart of a 25-year-old,” or vice versa for someone out of shape techradar.com techradar.com. It’s a motivational metric aimed at personal wellness. However, due to regulatory approvals, the ECG feature is not active in the U.S. at launch techradar.com. OnePlus is seeking FDA clearance, but until it’s granted, American units will have ECG disabled in software (a common situation many smartwatch makers face). Users in Europe and Asia should have ECG functional out of the box via the OnePlus Health app.

Speaking of health apps, OnePlus uses its OHealth/OnePlus Health app to aggregate data from the Watch 3. New “Mind & Body Evaluation” features have been added, making the Watch 3 something of a stress and recovery tracker. The watch can monitor your stress levels, prompting you to breathe or relax if they spike, and it logs a daily stress score. Thanks to a barometer sensor, it even measures ambient pressure changes to infer fatigue – effectively acting as a “body battery” gauge by checking if your vitals indicate you’re run-down techradar.com techradar.com. These kinds of holistic metrics (stress, fatigue, energy) are becoming popular – Garmin, Fitbit, and others have similar concepts – and OnePlus has joined the fray, aiming to give users insight into both mental and physical well-being trends. In an interview, OnePlus said they focused on making the Watch 3 a “highly accurate fitness and sleep-tracking tool that lasts longer than you need it” techradar.com techradar.com.

On the fitness tracking front, the Watch 3 is well-equipped. There’s an array of motion sensors (accelerometer, gyro, compass) and importantly a dual-band GNSS chip that supports multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, etc.) on two frequencies techradar.com. This means improved GPS accuracy, especially in challenging environments like city streets or forests where signals bounce – a welcome upgrade for runners and hikers. OnePlus claims more precise route tracking and distance measurements as a result. Daily step counts, calorie burn estimates, and distance are all recorded and can feed into Google Fit or other platforms if you sync them.

The watch supports 110+ workout modes techradar.com, from standard ones like running, cycling, swimming, and yoga to niche activities. However, not every mode is created equal – OnePlus includes about 11 “professional” workout modes that have deeper metrics and training insights techradar.com. For example, the Running mode leverages that dual-frequency GPS and can show cadence, pace, VO₂ max estimation, and now includes a new “Pro Running Mode” that acts like a virtual coach androidheadlines.com. This coach can provide structured workouts, real-time guidance, and post-run analysis to help you improve, similar to what Garmin and Polar offer. There’s also mention of a fat-burning evaluation feature in the watch, likely analyzing your heart rate vs. time to judge how much of your workout was in the optimal fat-burn zone androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com. Other activities like cycling can pair with external sensors (the Watch 3 supports Bluetooth accessories, so you could connect a heart strap for example). For swimmers, the Watch 3 is pool-ready (5ATM + IP68). It can log laps, strokes, SWOLF, etc., though one reviewer noted the stroke detection wasn’t perfect for all techniques techradar.com. Still, for casual and fitness swimmers it does the job, and open-water swim tracking is possible thanks to GPS.

One area OnePlus heavily emphasized is sleep tracking – a feature that goes hand-in-hand with the watch’s long battery life (since you can wear it to bed without nightly charging). The Watch 3 monitors your sleep stages (light, deep, REM) and total sleep time, providing a sleep score each morning. It also tracks naps automatically, which interestingly is something even Apple’s own watch doesn’t natively do without third-party apps. If you nod off for an afternoon siesta, the OnePlus will log it. OnePlus improved the accuracy of its sleep metrics in this generation techradar.com, and they tout features like sleep quality analysis and snore detection (the latter likely via the paired phone’s microphone). A TechRadar editor who tested the Watch 3 over multiple nights found it “accurately monitors sleep stages”, though he did encounter one odd night where the sleep score differed by 20 points compared to another tracker techradar.com. Minor discrepancies aside, the consensus is the Watch 3 is a reliable sleep tracker and – thanks to that multi-day battery – is well-suited for round-the-clock health monitoring.

Beyond fitness, the OnePlus Watch 3 includes the usual smart features one expects: it can relay notifications from your phone (texts, emails, app alerts), and you can customize which apps alert you. Android users can respond to messages with voice dictation, emojis, or quick replies right from the watch. There’s a built-in microphone, allowing use of Google Assistant – you can speak to set reminders, ask questions, or control smart home devices from your wrist. (There’s no speaker for audible Assistant replies, though.) The watch supports Google Wallet for contactless payments via NFC, so you can tap-to-pay at stores with just your watch – a first for OnePlus wearables since their older RTOS watch lacked this. Music control and storage are present: you can control playback on your phone or play songs stored on the watch to a pair of Bluetooth earbuds. OnePlus has also added some unique touches like a 60-second health check that measures multiple vitals at once androidcentral.com, and tight integration with their phones (for example, OnePlus phones can share settings and sync Do Not Disturb times with the watch).

All told, the OnePlus Watch 3 is feature-packed on health and fitness while also covering everyday smartwatch conveniences. It may not yet have every advanced sensor (for instance, there’s no skin temperature sensor like Apple and Samsung include for cycle tracking and wellness, and no blood pressure feature like Samsung’s Galaxy Watch can do with calibration). But for most users, the Watch 3 hits the sweet spot with comprehensive tracking, accuracy improvements, and a few standout tricks like the stress/fatigue insights. OnePlus’s Head of R&D, Dr. Leo Zhang, summed up their approach: “It was highly popular due to its huge battery life, accurate GPS and health and wellbeing metrics”, and the company is aiming to ensure even the smaller version loses none of those strengths techradar.com techradar.com. Given its capabilities, the OnePlus Watch 3 legitimately positions itself as a top-tier Android health smartwatch in 2025.

Battery Life: The 5-Day Wearable King

If there’s one spec that turned heads when the OnePlus Watch 3 was announced, it’s the battery life. OnePlus advertised a whopping 120 hours in full smartwatch mode techradar.com – that’s five days of use on a single charge, even with features like continuous heart-rate and notifications enabled. This isn’t an idle lab number either; reviewers consistently found that the Watch 3 lives up to its endurance claims. Android Headlines reported the 46 mm Watch 3 was easily lasting about 5 days per charge in real-world use androidheadlines.com, and that’s with the standard smart features active. Some users even stretched it further: tech analyst Mishaal Rahman noted his Watch 3 was on track for 6 days with the always-on display enabled, calling it an “absolute battery life BEAST” x.com. These are unprecedented runtimes in the smartwatch arena – for comparison, Google’s Pixel Watch and Samsung’s Galaxy Watches typically need a charge every 24–48 hours, and even the battery-focused Galaxy Watch5/6 Pro tops out around 2–3 days in ideal conditions. Apple’s watches famously last about 1.5 days (the Ultra model about 2–3 days). The OnePlus Watch 3 simply blows past most competitors in this department techradar.com.

How does OnePlus achieve this? As discussed earlier, the dual-chip architecture is key. By delegating background tasks to the efficient secondary chipset, the Watch 3 avoids waking the power-hungry Snapdragon processor except when needed techradar.com. It’s essentially two operating modes – and OnePlus allows you to explicitly switch if you want even more longevity. The watch has a basic Low Power mode (sometimes dubbed “Clock mode” or similar) that runs on the RTOS only, showing just time and basic sensors – in this state, you can reportedly get well over a week of life androidheadlines.com (albeit with smart features disabled). But even staying in full Smart Mode, the 120 h figure holds with moderate use. The battery itself is quite capacious at 631 mAh techradar.com, larger than what you’d find in many peers (for instance, Pixel Watch 2 has ~306 mAh, Galaxy Watch 6 ~425 mAh in the larger size). OnePlus also uses an LTPO display which can dynamically lower its refresh rate to save power when content is static appleinsider.com. Combine that with aggressive software optimizations and it’s clear OnePlus prioritized longevity. Their goal was to eliminate battery anxiety: users shouldn’t have to charge daily or even every other day, making features like sleep tracking truly practical to use nightly techradar.com techradar.com.

Charging the Watch 3 is fast and flexible. OnePlus claims you can get a day’s use from just a quick 10-minute top-up thanks to their fast charging tech. In testing, a full 0–100% charge takes under 60 minutes androidheadlines.com, which is excellent for such a large battery. Uniquely, the charging puck is detachable – it’s a small disc that magnetically snaps to the watch’s back, but unlike most smartwatch chargers, the cord isn’t fixed to it androidheadlines.com. Instead, the puck has a USB-C port, so you can plug it into any USB-C cable/charger you have. This design means if the cable breaks, you replace just the cable, not the whole charger, and it also makes the charger more portable (just a slim disk). It’s a thoughtful touch that Android Headlines praised: “OnePlus is still the only smartwatch maker with a charging puck that isn’t attached to a USB cable, and I love it” androidheadlines.com. The Watch 3 supports OnePlus’s proprietary SuperVOOC charging speeds when used with their adapters, ensuring minimal downtime off your wrist androidheadlines.com.

For many, battery life is the killer feature here. It changes how you use the watch – you can wear it to track sleep, all-day vitals, and workouts without constantly worrying about finding a charger. It also outlasts multi-day adventures; a hiker or camper could go for a long weekend trip and still have juice left. Even when the promised smaller 43 mm model arrived, OnePlus managed to deliver strong battery life: the 43 mm is rated at 60 h (2.5 days) due to its smaller battery, but testers found it actually getting around 4 days in practice androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com. That suggests OnePlus conservatively estimates battery life – possibly their 120 h claim for the big watch is on the safe side too. And remember, these figures include using health features. If you use the watch more sparingly (e.g. disable always-on display, limit GPS workouts), you might squeeze out even more time. On the flip side, heavy usage scenarios like long GPS workouts or using the watch for navigation/music can dent the battery faster (a multi-hour run with GPS and music might take a significant chunk out of the battery, though still leaving plenty for the day).

In summary, battery life is arguably the OnePlus Watch 3’s standout competitive advantage. It’s a true multi-day smartwatch that doesn’t force you into compromises. OnePlus even cheekily delayed the Watch 3’s launch by two months to fix that minor caseback typo – and the upside for buyers was a chance to get early discounts and free bands/Buds as apology techradar.com techradar.com. Many early reviews concluded that the Watch 3’s endurance alone makes it easy to recommend. As TechRadar wrote, “the mighty battery lives up to expectations”, delivering on OnePlus’s promise of a long-lasting wearable techradar.com techradar.com. If you’ve ever been frustrated by nightly charging or a dead watch at 10 PM, the OnePlus Watch 3 is a breath of fresh air – it sets a new benchmark for smartwatch battery life in 2025 techradar.com techradar.com.

Pricing, Models, and Value

When it comes to pricing, the OnePlus Watch 3’s journey has been a bit dramatic. Officially, OnePlus announced the Watch 3 with a price of $329.99 in the US (and £269 in the UK / €299 in Europe) for the standard 46 mm Bluetooth model techradar.com. This positioned it very competitively against flagship competitors that often start closer to $400 or more. However, when sales opened in April 2025, U.S. customers were surprised to see a much higher $499 price tag on OnePlus’s site arstechnica.com. This 50% jump was never clearly explained by OnePlus (they “wouldn’t say why,” as Ars Technica reported arstechnica.com, though industry observers suspected import tariffs or other costs). The backlash was swift, because $500 moved the Watch 3 into a different pricing tier entirely – suddenly it cost as much as an Apple Watch or premium Garmin. Fortunately, within days OnePlus reversed course: they lowered the Watch 3’s U.S. price by $150 to approximately $349 and promised to refund early adopters who paid the higher price arstechnica.com reddit.com. This pricing snafu aside, the Watch 3 now sits around the mid-$300s in most regions, which is a fair price given its specs. In the UK it remained at £269, and availability in other markets like India followed local pricing structures (in India it’s roughly ₹29,999 as a high-end watch). Notably, at launch there was no official Australian availability techradar.com, likely due to regulatory or market decisions.

For that price, you get the watch with a fluororubber (sport) strap and the charging puck. OnePlus offered some attractive pre-order deals to early buyers: for example, in Europe and the UK, those who ordered in April got £50 off plus a choice of a freebie (like OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro earbuds worth £79, or an extra watch band, or a charging dock) techradar.com. Students could stack an additional 10% discount techradar.com techradar.com. Bundle deals were also in play – OnePlus gave up to 50% off if you bought the watch alongside a OnePlus phone, as part of their ecosystem push techradar.com. All of this indicates OnePlus was eager to get the Watch 3 onto wrists and build goodwill, especially after the launch delay.

Fast forward to mid-2025, OnePlus expanded the lineup. The OnePlus Watch 3 (43 mm) model was announced in June and launched on July 8, 2025 techradar.com. This smaller edition is technically the same “Watch 3” internally, just scaled down physically. OnePlus priced it at $299 in the US (and CAD $399 in Canada) androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com, slightly undercutting the larger version. In some markets it’s simply sold as an alternative size, while in others it might be treated as a separate SKU (with possibly a different name – interestingly, Oppo, OnePlus’s sibling company, calls their equivalent model the “Oppo Watch 3 Mini” androidheadlines.com). The 43 mm comes only in a Silver Steel case at launch, with Black or Silver strap options androidheadlines.com. Its value proposition is strong: at ~$299–$309, it’s cheaper than many rivals. Android Headlines dubbed the 43 mm “perhaps the best value in Wear OS smartwatches right now”, noting that its $299 undercuts Google’s Pixel Watch 3 ($349) and likely Samsung’s next Galaxy Watch which was rumored just above $300 androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com. Essentially, OnePlus is offering a flagship-grade watch (same features and nearly the same battery life) for a notably lower price than other big brands, giving them a competitive edge on value.

Looking at the broader lineup, OnePlus also has some other wearables in play: there’s a mention of a OnePlus Watch 2R, which is a more affordable, sporty variant of the previous generation androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. But in the premium segment, the Watch 3 and 3 (43 mm) are the main offerings of 2025. OnePlus confirmed that an LTE-capable variant for global markets is planned (possibly named something like Watch 3 LTE or a future Watch 4) but hasn’t launched yet androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. Customers who absolutely need standalone cellular on their smartwatch (to leave their phone behind entirely) might have to wait or consider other brands for now. However, considering OnePlus’s aggressive moves, we may see a Watch 3 Pro or Watch 4 in 2026 with even more features.

Importantly, the value equation for the OnePlus Watch 3 is quite favorable: For roughly $329–$349, it offers materials (titanium, sapphire) and battery life that even $600 competitors struggle to match. It’s not a budget device, but it feels premium for the price. For perspective, Apple’s flagship watches (stainless steel models or the Ultra) cost anywhere from $700 to $1000+, and even the aluminum Apple Watch Series 10 starts around $399. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series usually ranges $300–$450 depending on size and LTE. Google’s Pixel Watch was $349 at launch for a much shorter battery and no high-end build. So OnePlus undercut most of these, positioning the Watch 3 as the savvy Android buyer’s choice. This wasn’t lost on reviewers – many pointed out that you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. As Android Central noted in comparison to others, OnePlus seems to be “playing the value game”, especially against Samsung’s offerings androidcentral.com androidcentral.com.

One potential catch is ecosystem and brand trust. OnePlus is relatively new in the watch game, and some might wonder about resale value or support compared to an Apple or Samsung watch. But with OnePlus committing to multi-year updates and already proving they can deliver on user requests (like the smaller model), confidence is growing. After a rocky first-gen watch, OnePlus turned things around – the Watch 2 was well-reviewed, and now the Watch 3 is a hit. They even had a bit of fun with their early blunder: when the 43 mm launched, an Android Headlines writer quipped “No typos this time. It does say ‘Made in China’ on the bottom.” androidheadlines.com, referencing the corrected text on the new units. It’s clear OnePlus wants to be seen as responsive and consumer-friendly in this space.

In summary, the OnePlus Watch 3 (46 mm) sits in the mid-$300s and the Watch 3 (43 mm) in the high-$200s, both representing strong value for what they offer. With periodic sales, trade-in deals (OnePlus was giving extra $50 credit for any old smartwatch trade-in) techradar.com techradar.com, and freebies, one could snag the Watch 3 for even less. It’s a compelling package – one that has indeed prompted the question in tech circles: “Is the new OnePlus Watch 3 the best smartwatch ever for Android?” iheart.com Perhaps an overstatement, but it underscores how OnePlus has forced competitors to notice its blend of price and performance.

Up-to-Date News and Developments

The OnePlus Watch 3’s launch timeline and post-launch period have been eventful. Here are the key news highlights and updates up to August 2025:

Launch Delay (Typo Gate): Originally slated to launch in late February 2025, the global release of the Watch 3 was delayed by about two months due to a production snafu. Early batches of the watch had a typo on the rear text (“Meda in China” instead of “Made in China”), which led OnePlus to halt the release and correct the issue techradar.com. This unusual delay became a lighthearted anecdote in the tech community, but OnePlus turned it around by using the extra time to offer pre-order deals and ensure a flaw-free product once April came.
April 2025 Release & Price Controversy: The Watch 3 finally became available to purchase on April 10, 2025 techradar.com. It was immediately lauded as one of the best Android smartwatches of the year thanks to its battery life and features techradar.com. However, the U.S. launch was overshadowed by a pricing uproar – the watch that was advertised at $329 suddenly appeared at $499 on launch day for U.S. customers arstechnica.com. Tech outlets like Ars Technica and Digital Trends called out the “inflated $500 price tag” and questioned OnePlus’s decision arstechnica.com arstechnica.com. Within a week, OnePlus responded: they cited having made some “adjustments” and were able to reduce the price by $150 going forward, bringing it down to ~$349 arstechnica.com. Moreover, they promised to refund the difference to anyone who bought at $499 arstechnica.com. This swift correction smoothed over what could have been a PR debacle. Many assumed import tariffs were to blame, and indeed OnePlus later hinted that trade tariffs had impacted the Watch 3’s pricing and would similarly affect the upcoming smaller model if not addressed techradar.com. By June, rumors swirled that the 43 mm might also launch at a higher price due to tariffs techradar.com, but OnePlus seems to have managed pricing relatively well since then.
Software Updates & Fixes: In the weeks after launch, OnePlus issued software updates that improved system stability and fixed some early bugs. More interestingly, OnePlus took community feedback seriously. One notable example: In his initial review, TechRadar’s Matt Evans loved the Watch 3 but lamented the lack of a smaller version for those who found it too bulky techradar.com techradar.com. Just about two months later (mid-June), he penned an article titled “OnePlus has fixed my biggest problem with the Watch 3, and now I can recommend it to everybody” techradar.com. The “fix” was essentially OnePlus confirming that a smaller model was indeed on the way (which became the 43 mm version) and that they’d also enable LTE in future models techradar.com techradar.com. This public dialogue – media critiqued size and LTE, OnePlus swiftly announced solutions – reflects well on OnePlus’s engagement. Android Central also reported an interview with OnePlus’s Health Lab head in which he acknowledged the one-size issue and promised “we will fix that this year,” referring to a smaller watch, and explained the LTE hold-up as a carrier partnership challenge rather than a tech issue androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. By all accounts, OnePlus delivered on the first fix in July (the 43 mm Watch 3) and is actively working on the second (LTE outside China).
July 2025 – New 43 mm Model & Ecosystem Launch: On July 8, 2025, OnePlus held a summer launch event unveiling several products: the OnePlus Nord 5 series smartphones, Buds 4 earbuds, Pad Lite tablet, and indeed the OnePlus Watch 3 43 mm techradar.com techradar.com. This event was teased as OnePlus expanding its ecosystem, and the Watch 3 43 mm was introduced as the “most compact smartwatch” OnePlus has made techradar.com. It got plenty of media attention – not only because it addressed a gap in OnePlus’s lineup, but also because it launched alongside hot mid-range phones (Nord series). Reviews of the 43 mm started coming in by mid-July, generally positive. Commentators noted that aside from screen and battery size, the smaller Watch 3 sacrifices very little – it has the same Snapdragon chip, same features, just a smaller form factor techradar.com techradar.com. OnePlus did not initially reveal the battery capacity of the 43 mm, but user testing showed it still easily exceeds typical Wear OS endurance (around 4 days of use) androidheadlines.com.
Update Promise and Support: There was some initial confusion or disappointment about how long OnePlus would support the Watch 3. OnePlus officially stated 3 years of updates (through 2027) techradar.com, which is a solid commitment in the Android space (many Wear OS watches get 2-3 years max). However, an Android Central piece referred to that as a “disappointingly short update promise” in context androidcentral.com, likely comparing it to Apple Watches which often get 5+ years of OS support. In response, there have been discussions in forums and tech sites about possibly extending support, but as of August 2025, the stance remains 3 years of assured updates. It’s possible OnePlus might update beyond that if hardware allows, but users are at least guaranteed Wear OS 7 (the watch ships with Wear OS 5).
New Features & Apps: OnePlus has been rolling out new watchfaces and minor features via app updates. They also worked with Google to ensure features like Google Assistant and Wallet worked seamlessly on the Watch 3 at launch (unlike some early Wear OS 3 watches that launched without Assistant). The OnePlus Health app received updates to improve the Mind & Body tracking algorithms and added more localized health tips. OnePlus has hinted at a unique monitoring feature exclusive to the 43 mm model techradar.com, but it hasn’t fully disclosed what that is – some speculate it could be related to women’s health tracking or a new stress test, set to differentiate the smaller watch slightly. We’ll have to watch for firmware updates to see if any such exclusive feature appears.
Rumors & Future Models: Looking ahead, there’s buzz about what OnePlus might do next. Given that the Watch 3 series is doing well, a OnePlus Watch 4 in early 2026 is likely. Some leaks suggest OnePlus might introduce a “Watch 3R” or “Watch 4R” which could be a rugged or sportier edition (similar to how they had a Watch 2R) androidcentral.com. Another rumor is OnePlus collaborating with sister brand Oppo on unified wearables – since Oppo has an Oppo Watch X2 in China, and they co-developed the platform, we might see features cross-pollinate. For example, Oppo’s watches sometimes have VO₂ max tests and advanced running analytics, which OnePlus could incorporate.
Competitive Landscape News: The smartwatch arena in 2025 is heating up. In the Android camp, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 is expected later in 2025 (with leaks of specs and certifications already hitting tech sites) techradar.com techradar.com. Google’s Pixel Watch 4 is also on the horizon (rumored for fall 2025) with potential new AI features techradar.com techradar.com. OnePlus will likely keep improving the Watch 3 via software to hold its own. Interestingly, in June OnePlus and Spotify announced deeper integration, enabling offline Spotify downloads on the Watch 3 – a nice perk for music lovers. Also, OnePlus’s partnership with the Google Wear OS team seems strong; the Watch 3 is often showcased as a leading example of Wear OS’s capabilities (it even made the list of “Best Smartwatches 2025” as the top Wear OS watch not made by Google techradar.com).

In summary, the OnePlus Watch 3’s post-launch trajectory has been largely positive: a hiccup with price was corrected, a demanded smaller model was delivered promptly, and OnePlus has been transparent about upcoming improvements (like LTE). For consumers, this means the product you buy now is likely to get even better and more feature-rich over time, which enhances its value. The competitive pressure from OnePlus is also pushing others – we’re seeing Samsung and Google focus on battery life and new health metrics too, which ultimately benefits everyone shopping for a smartwatch in this class.

OnePlus Watch 3 vs OnePlus Watch 2

How much did OnePlus improve upon the previous generation? The OnePlus Watch 2 (released in 2023) was already a huge leap from the troubled original, and it established the formula that the Watch 3 follows. Here’s a breakdown of key differences and upgrades going from Watch 2 to Watch 3:

Design & Materials: Both Watch 2 and 3 have a round stainless steel case, but the Watch 3 introduced a titanium bezel (versus the Watch 2’s stainless steel bezel) for added hardness techradar.com. The Watch 2 was offered in similar 46 mm sizing (and a limited 41 mm variant in some markets), and like the 3 it had a premium build with sapphire glass (the Watch 2 also touted a “Sapphire Crystal Design” in marketing amazon.com). In fact, the family resemblance is strong – at a glance, they look alike, save for one noticeable change: the Watch 3’s rotating crown. The Watch 2 had a crown-like side button, but it did not function as a rotary input community.oneplus.com. It was fixed in place (rotating only for durability’s sake) and acted just as a regular button. The Watch 3 finally made that crown fully functional theverge.com. So navigation is enhanced on the 3. Weight-wise, the watches are similar; the Watch 2 was around 50 g (without strap) and ~75–80 g with strap, so no major change there androidcentral.com.
Display: The Watch 2 had a 1.39-inch AMOLED, while the Watch 3 bumps to a 1.5-inch AMOLED LTPO techradar.com. The difference is slight in diameter, but the Watch 3’s display is a newer generation (LTPO for better power efficiency). Both are bright and sharp; the Watch 2 was already known for a good screen, and the Watch 3 continues that with even higher peak brightness (2200 nits outdoors, per some sources watchesonline.com). Essentially, the screen is a tad larger and more power-savvy on the 3.
Processor & OS: The Watch 2 ran on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 4100+ or W5 (there is some confusion here – some reports indicated it used the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 oneplus.com, which if true, is the same main chipset as the Watch 3). Regardless, the Watch 2 introduced the dual-chip Wear OS architecture (Snapdragon + BES co-processor) enabling its 100 h battery life techcrunch.com. The Watch 3 carries that forward, likely with a slightly refined Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 and a newer BES chip. Both watches run Wear OS (Watch 2 launched with Wear OS 4, Watch 3 with Wear OS 5). So performance-wise, they are in the same ballpark, with the Watch 3 feeling a touch snappier thanks to software optimizations and perhaps a bit more RAM.
Battery Life: OnePlus Watch 2 was rated at 100 hours (4+ days) in smart mode techradar.com techradar.com, which was its headline feature. The Watch 3 extends this to 120 hours (5 days) techradar.com techradar.com. That’s a 20% increase, achieved by a larger 631 mAh battery (the Watch 2 had ~525 mAh) and efficiency gains. In practice, both are multi-day champs, but the Watch 3 edges out its predecessor by about a day of extra use – a welcome improvement for heavy users.
Health Features: The Watch 2 was already a capable fitness tracker with heart rate, SpO₂, and over 100 sports modes. The Watch 3 adds new health functions: chiefly ECG capability (Watch 2 did not have ECG) techradar.com and the advanced Stress/Mind-Body metrics. The Watch 2 could measure stress to a basic degree, but the Watch 3’s fatigue assessments via barometer and “heart health” analysis via ECG are new tricks techradar.com techradar.com. Also, the Watch 3 improved GNSS to dual-frequency, whereas Watch 2’s GPS was single-frequency. So runners and hikers get more accuracy on the 3 techradar.com. Sleep tracking sees incremental improvements; OnePlus stated the Watch 3 brings “more accuracy to sleep-tracking features” techradar.com, suggesting refined algorithms (the Watch 2 already tracked sleep, but the 3 probably does it better and now tracks naps natively). Both have 24/7 heart and SpO₂, but the “60-second health check” measuring multiple vitals might be a Watch 3 specific software addition.
User Interface & Apps: With Wear OS, both watches have access to Google’s ecosystem. But the Watch 2 launched in a time when Wear OS 3 was still relatively new and lacked some features. By Watch 3’s time, things like Google Assistant, Google Wallet, etc., were fully available. The Watch 3 being on Wear OS 5 might have minor UI enhancements and presumably better app support out of the box. Also, the rotating crown on Watch 3 changes the UI navigation flow to be more like Apple Watch, whereas on Watch 2 you’d mostly swipe/tap. OnePlus also pre-loaded some new watch faces and possibly the OHealth app improvements on the Watch 3.
Connectivity: Neither Watch 2 nor the initial Watch 3 had global LTE. Both rely on Bluetooth/Wi-Fi. One difference: Watch 2 had a variant in China with LTE as well (just like Watch 3). So in connectivity they were on par. Both have 5ATM water resistance and similar sensors (accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer, ambient light, etc.), with Watch 3 possibly adding a more sensitive barometer for the fatigue tracking.
Price: The OnePlus Watch 2 launched around $249 (if memory serves, it was cheaper than Watch 3). It was seen as a great value. The Watch 3 came in higher (planned $329, effectively $349 in the US after tariff), reflecting the upgrades and general inflation in component costs. So the Watch 3 is pricier than the Watch 2 was, but it also moves more upmarket (titanium, ECG, etc.). OnePlus likely sees the Watch 3 competing in a higher tier.

In short, the Watch 3 is an iterative but meaningful upgrade over the Watch 2. It takes an already successful formula – classic design, long battery, Wear OS with dual chips – and refines it with better materials, even longer battery, new health sensors (ECG), and improved usability (rotating crown). Unlike the leap from OnePlus’s first watch to the Watch 2 (which was night-and-day), the leap from 2 to 3 is evolutionary rather than revolutionary techradar.com techradar.com. For Watch 2 owners, the lure to upgrade would mainly be for the ECG and crown, and perhaps if they want the absolute max battery. Many Watch 2 users might be satisfied enough to skip a generation. But new buyers in 2025 will find the Watch 3 to be a more polished product that addresses most of Watch 2’s minor shortcomings. As one review summed up: “The OnePlus Watch 3 has much less work to do, iterating on an already successful design”, yet it “still manages to impress” techradar.com techradar.com.

One footnote: OnePlus also released a OnePlus Watch 2R (a regional model, with a more affordable build) and a budget-oriented OnePlus Nord Watch around 2022. Those are separate lineups for budget segments. The Watch 3 squarely succeeds the Watch 2 as OnePlus’s flagship smartwatch, and it firmly establishes OnePlus as a serious player in the premium smartwatch category.

Comparisons with Competitors

The OnePlus Watch 3 enters a competitive field of smartwatches. Here’s how it stacks up against some upcoming and current rivals in 2025, including Apple’s Watch Series 10 and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 (and others like Google Pixel Watch):

OnePlus Watch 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 10

Apple’s Watch Series 10 (2024’s flagship Apple Watch) is arguably the gold standard for smartwatches – but OnePlus is challenging it in key areas. Battery Life: This is where OnePlus lands a haymaker – the Watch 3’s 5-day battery utterly dwarfs the Apple Watch’s roughly 18–36 hour typical life techradar.com techradar.com. Even the larger Apple Watch Series 10 (which comes in 46 mm this generation with a slightly bigger battery than Series 9) can barely manage two days per charge, and that’s with many features off. Apple did introduce low-power modes, but at best you might get 2.5 days by disabling most smart features. In contrast, OnePlus users can comfortably go nearly a week without charging androidheadlines.com. This makes a huge difference for things like sleep tracking (Apple Watch users often charge daily, especially overnight; OnePlus users can wear it 24/7 and charge once a workweek).

Design & Build: Apple Watch Series 10 has a very different look – a squarish rectangular OLED screen with curved edges. It’s sleek and comes in materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium (for the Ultra variant). The Series 10 introduced Apple’s largest display yet with thinner bezels, and an LPTO3 OLED that improves efficiency appleinsider.com. Apple’s build quality is top-notch, but interestingly, the OnePlus Watch 3 is using materials on par with Apple’s high-end. For example, the base Apple Watch aluminum has Ion-X glass (not as hard as sapphire) and no titanium unless you buy the Ultra or certain stainless models. The OnePlus gives you sapphire and titanium in every model techradar.com at a price even lower than Apple’s entry aluminum model. So in terms of material value, OnePlus is impressively strong – you’d need to buy a much more expensive Apple Watch Edition or Ultra to get sapphire/titanium.

However, Apple’s aesthetic is arguably more refined in the sense of being thinner – Apple Watches are around 10.7 mm thick and very smoothly curved, whereas OnePlus is 11+ mm and more traditional in shape. Apple also offers multiple sizes (41 mm and 46 mm for Series 10, plus the 49 mm Ultra) and a huge array of bands. Until OnePlus’s 43 mm launched, Apple had an edge in offering a watch for smaller wrists; now OnePlus covers that too, albeit with just one smaller size vs. Apple’s two. Still, Apple’s sizing option is appreciated by many.

Software and Ecosystem: Here the differences are vast. The Apple Watch runs watchOS 10 (coincidentally aligning number-wise with the series). Apple’s ecosystem integration is unparalleled – an Apple Watch is tightly woven into the iPhone experience (but notably incompatible with Android phones – it’s iPhone only). Conversely, the OnePlus Watch 3 is Android only (Wear OS 3+ currently does not support pairing with iOS androidauthority.com). So for many buyers the decision is made by their phone choice: iPhone users will go Apple Watch; Android users can’t use Apple Watch and will consider OnePlus among other Wear OS options. In terms of apps and features, Apple has the most developed app ecosystem for wearables. Thousands of watchOS apps, plus built-in features like iMessage integration, seamless AirPods control, handoff with Macs, etc. Google’s Wear OS has grown – most major apps exist – but it’s still slightly behind Apple in third-party support. OnePlus’s advantage is having all of Google’s services (Assistant, Maps, Gmail notifications actionable, etc.), which are better for Google-centric users.

Health and Sensors: Apple has been a pioneer in consumer health on wearables. The Series 10 includes: optical HR, ECG (with FDA clearance globally), SpO₂, and a wrist temperature sensor (used for ovulation/menstrual tracking and nightly temperature changes), and an 8-channel accelerometer/gyro for fall detection. It also has advanced features like AFib history, irregular rhythm notifications, cardio fitness (VO₂ max) tracking, atrial fibrillation alerts, plus things like noise level monitoring and medication reminders. OnePlus matches Apple on many fronts: heart rate, ECG (though pending approval in US), SpO₂, stress tracking. But OnePlus lacks the temperature sensor and doesn’t have built-in fall detection (the Watch 3 has basic incident detection, but Apple’s is highly refined). Apple has a slight edge in health software – e.g., Apple’s new watchOS 10 introduced automatic cycling workout detection, new mental health logging (mood tracking), and even a feature leveraging nocturnal SpO₂ dips to potentially screen for sleep apnea (pending regulatory approval) techradar.com. Samsung and OnePlus are doing similar things on sleep apnea detection samsung.com samsung.com, so it’s a competitive area.

One unique Apple feature (on Series 8 onward) is Crash Detection – thanks to sensors and algorithms, the Apple Watch can detect serious car accidents and automatically call emergency services. OnePlus hasn’t advertised anything like that; it focuses on fitness/wellness rather than safety features. Apple also has Emergency SOS (cellular models can call 911 even without phone, or share location if you’re in trouble). Again, OnePlus would need LTE to do standalone SOS. So, for now, Apple Watch with cellular has the upper hand in emergency features.

Performance: Apple’s custom S-series chips in the Watch (the S9 in Series 9, likely S10 chip in Series 10) are extremely powerful and efficient. Apple’s UI is ultra-smooth and can do heavy tasks (even run complex apps or render animations) with ease. The Snapdragon W5 in OnePlus is great for Wear OS, but in raw terms Apple’s silicon is believed to be ahead (though direct comparisons are tricky). That said, in everyday use both are fast; OnePlus doesn’t lag or stutter either techradar.com. Where Apple might win is in more advanced uses – for example, the Apple Watch can do on-device Siri requests (Series 9 introduced that with the S9’s neural engine) and maybe Series 10 improved it further. Apple also introduced gestures like “Double Tap” (pinch fingers to trigger actions) in Series 9 via machine learning; OnePlus hasn’t mentioned similar gesture controls.

Verdict of OnePlus vs Apple: If you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is still the more seamless choice – it’s deeply integrated and offers exclusive features (like unlocking your Mac, using Apple Pay with your Apple Wallet, etc.). But the OnePlus Watch 3 makes a strong case for those on Android, and even highlights some things Apple could envy: that multiday battery and round classic design. Notably, OnePlus’s inclusion of a rotating crown narrows a feature gap (previously, Apple’s crown was an unmatched navigation tool). Where Apple clearly outshines is in breadth of functionality – its ecosystem of apps/accessories and polish (e.g., the always-on display of Series 10 can now show more info, and rumored microLED display tech might come to Apple in the future). Still, an expert from TechRadar mused that thanks to its battery and broad compatibility, the OnePlus Watch 3 is “the best Wear OS smartwatch that isn’t made by Google” techradar.com and by extension a serious contender in the overall smartwatch rankings. OnePlus offers cross-platform benefits too: it works with any modern Android, whereas Apple Watch ties you to Apple’s ecosystem.

In pure spec-for-dollar, OnePlus wins – an Apple Watch Series 10 (46 mm) in titanium with sapphire (the stainless model) costs several times the OnePlus. But Apple’s value is in the ecosystem and brand. Ultimately, these two might cater to different audiences, but OnePlus has undoubtedly closed much of the gap, making it a worthy alternative for those not in Apple’s walled garden.

OnePlus Watch 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 / Watch 8

On the Android side, Samsung has been the long-time leader with its Galaxy Watch series. The Galaxy Watch 7 (launched in late 2024) and the upcoming Galaxy Watch 8 (expected late 2025) are natural competitors to OnePlus Watch 3.

Battery & Endurance: Samsung’s Galaxy Watch models have traditionally had decent but not stellar battery life. The Watch 7 (which came in likely 40 mm and 44 mm sizes) would last about 1.5 to 2 days per charge under moderate use – possibly up to 3 days on the larger model with conservative settings. Samsung did introduce a Galaxy Watch Ultra variant around the Watch 7 era (first rumored Ultra in 2024) focusing on larger battery and rugged features androidauthority.com androidcentral.com. For instance, a Galaxy Watch “Ultra” might weigh ~60 g and pack a big battery to hit, say, 3 days. But even so, OnePlus’s 5-day life is far beyond what Galaxy Watch 7 can do androidcentral.com. It’s telling that one media outlet phrased it: “OnePlus Watch 3’s 120-hour battery beats many of the best Android smartwatches, including Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra.” techradar.com techradar.com For Samsung, to match that battery, users often disable features or use a Power Saving mode, which reduces functionality. OnePlus achieves longevity without asking that compromise.

Design & Hardware: Galaxy Watch 7 continued Samsung’s style – a round watch with either a sporty look (in the base model) or a more classic look (in the “Classic” variant that often includes a physically rotating bezel). The Galaxy Watch 7 was likely made of aluminum or stainless steel (depending on model), with Gorilla Glass DX protection. Samsung reserved materials like titanium mostly for special editions or the rumored Ultra model. So again, OnePlus’s use of sapphire and titanium stands out at its price point. The Watch 7’s rotating bezel (on the Classic model) is a fan-favorite feature – it’s a different approach than OnePlus’s crown, but serves a similar purpose for scrolling. Interestingly, the Watch 6 Classic reintroduced that bezel after Watch 5 had dropped it. If Watch 7 continued it, Samsung users have tactile control too. One could argue Samsung’s bezel is even easier to use (since you can rotate it from any angle around the screen), but it does add bulk. OnePlus’s crown is more streamlined but perhaps slightly less accessible than a bezel ring.

Samsung offers multiple sizes (e.g., 40 mm and 44 mm for base, 46 mm Classic, etc.) and many watch faces. OnePlus’s design is chunkier than a 40 mm Galaxy Watch, but similar to a 46 mm Classic in presence.

Performance & OS: Samsung co-developed Wear OS 3 with Google and runs its own One UI Watch skin on top of Wear OS. The Galaxy Watch 7 likely ran Wear OS 4 with One UI Watch 5. Samsung typically uses its Exynos W-series chips (like Exynos W930 in Watch 6). Performance is comparable between Samsung and OnePlus; both are smooth for daily tasks. OnePlus using Snapdragon W5 might even have a slight edge in efficiency. In terms of software, OnePlus’s interface is closer to stock Google with some custom apps, whereas Samsung heavily customizes UI (e.g., different app layouts, Samsung Pay instead of Google Wallet by default, etc.). Both can install apps from Play Store, though Samsung emphasizes its own ecosystem (like using Samsung Health app vs OnePlus Health/Google Fit).

Health Features: Samsung has an extensive health suite. The Galaxy Watch 7 includes ECG and blood pressure monitoring (the latter is a unique Samsung feature that uses the ECG sensor but requires periodic cuff calibration) – OnePlus doesn’t have blood pressure monitoring. Samsung also has a BioActive sensor that measures body composition (body fat %, muscle mass) via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis – again something OnePlus Watch 3 does not do. These give Samsung an edge in certain advanced metrics. Additionally, Samsung has SpO₂, stress monitoring, sleep tracking with a sleep coaching program (including new Sleep Apnea detection introduced in Watch 7 via firmware) samsung.com, and irregular heart rhythm notifications (coming via update to Galaxy Watches). So Samsung’s health offering is arguably broader: e.g., the Galaxy Watch 7 can measure ECG (with clearance in many regions), detect AFib, measure blood pressure (in some regions), do body composition, and skin temperature (used for cycle tracking). OnePlus matches ECG (though region-limited) and SpO₂, offers its own stress/fatigue metrics, but lacks body composition and blood pressure features.

However, OnePlus might have an edge in accuracy for GPS (dual-frequency vs Samsung’s single-frequency, though the Watch 7/8 might also adopt dual-band GPS – indeed the DC Rainmaker snippet suggested Watch 7 got multi-band GPS dcrainmaker.com). If Watch 7 has it, then both are equal there. For everyday tracking, both do steps, heart, calories, etc. Samsung has years of data and polished apps; OnePlus is newer but doing well. OnePlus’s sleep tracking allowing naps automatically is nice – Samsung also tracks naps, but Apple doesn’t, as mentioned.

App Ecosystem: Samsung watches benefit from both Google’s Play Store and Samsung’s own apps. They come preloaded with things like Spotify, Google Assistant or Bixby, Google Maps, and are generally fully featured. OnePlus’s watch is similar since it’s also Wear OS. One difference: Samsung’s watches have historically had the ability to handle phone calls via a built-in speaker and mic (Bluetooth calling). OnePlus Watch 3 can accept/reject calls and has a mic for Assistant, but without a speaker, you can’t hold a voice call conversation on the watch. That’s a minor consideration but worth noting – Samsung integrates that more completely.

Compatibility: Samsung Galaxy Watches do work with non-Samsung Android phones, but you typically get the best experience with a Samsung phone (for instance, ECG and blood pressure features historically required a Samsung phone and the Samsung Health Monitor app). This has been relaxing lately (Samsung enabled ECG/BP on non-Samsung phones in some recent updates). OnePlus Watch 3 works broadly with any Android phone without such feature restrictions. So OnePlus is a bit more agnostic, whereas Samsung leans into its ecosystem (though not as strictly as Apple).

Price: The Galaxy Watch 7 started around $279 for the smaller Bluetooth model and $309 for the larger (roughly, based on Watch 6 pricing trends) and more for LTE versions. Samsung often discounts their watches heavily or bundles them with phones. The OnePlus Watch 3 at $329 (46 mm) is in the same ballpark, slightly above base Galaxy models but offering more premium build. With the 43 mm at $299, OnePlus directly targets Samsung’s price points. Considering OnePlus’s battery advantage and materials, many reviewers see it as a better value unless you need Samsung-specific features (like BP or body comp).

In a head-to-head: Android Central ran a “Galaxy Watch 8 vs OnePlus Watch 3” comparison and framed it as “playing the value game”, suggesting OnePlus might provide more bang for buck while Samsung offers more polish and brand features androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. If you have a Samsung phone and love features like SmartThings integration or using the watch as a shutter remote for your Samsung camera, the Galaxy Watch is appealing. If you prioritize not charging often and want a brand-agnostic high-end watch, OnePlus is extremely attractive.

One more competitor to mention briefly in Android land:

OnePlus Watch 3 vs. Google Pixel Watch 3 (and Pixel Watch 4 rumors)

Google’s own Pixel Watch (the original in 2022 and the Pixel Watch 2 in 2023) carved a niche as the “Apple Watch for Android” in terms of software integration, but they had weaknesses – notably battery life (~24 hours) and one size option. By 2024, a Pixel Watch 3 likely launched (with Pixel 9 series), possibly introducing two sizes (rumors suggested 41 mm and 45 mm Pixel Watch 3) techradar.com techradar.com. If so, Google addressed the size issue similarly to OnePlus. The Pixel Watch 3 would run Wear OS, of course, with Pixel-exclusive features like the best integration with Fitbit services (Google owns Fitbit). Pixel Watch health features included ECG, heart rate, SpO₂, and Fitbit’s advanced algorithms (Daily Readiness Score, etc.), but Pixel watches still struggle to hit 2 days battery. OnePlus clearly outlasts Pixel in battery and likely beats it in durability (Pixel uses Gorilla Glass 5/3D on the original, not sapphire). That said, Pixel Watch’s design is very sleek (a perfect round domed glass) and its crown is also rotating. In performance, Pixel Watch 3 might use the same Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 or a newer W5 Gen 2 chip, so similar to OnePlus. Pixel’s strength is software – it might get the latest Wear OS features first (e.g., new Wear OS 5/6 stuff, tight Assistant features, etc.). But OnePlus actually shipped with the latest OS too, so they are on par there.

Price: Pixel Watch tends to be $349 (Bluetooth) and $399 (LTE) at launch for newer gens. OnePlus undercuts that a bit and offers more battery and arguably better materials (Pixel’s case is stainless, which is good, but its glass isn’t sapphire). An article on TechRadar asked “OnePlus Watch 3 vs Pixel Watch 3: Time for a new Wear OS king?” techradar.com, implying OnePlus might dethrone Google’s own watch by sheer hardware advantage. Indeed, TechRadar’s review explicitly said the Watch 3 performs as smoothly as Pixel Watch 3 and will likely claim a top spot in best Android watches techradar.com.

So OnePlus’s main edge against Pixel or Samsung is battery and value, while it slightly trails Samsung in some health feature breadth and trails Apple in ecosystem integration (though that’s more of a platform difference).

Upcoming Outlook:

For upcoming models beyond these, like Apple Watch Series 11 or Samsung Galaxy Watch 8/9, the trend is likely catching up on battery or introducing new sensors (like glucose monitoring in a few years, which is rumored). OnePlus will likely iterate too – perhaps a OnePlus Watch 4 with more sensors or even longer battery. In late 2025, we’re also seeing new entrants: for instance, Nothing’s CMF Watch Pro as a budget disruptor techradar.com techradar.com, and Garmin pushing into more smartwatch-like features (though Garmin is a different category focusing on multi-week battery but limited smart functions).

One competitor in Android premium to note is the Garmin Venu series or Fenix – but those target fitness enthusiasts (they have even longer battery but are less smart-app capable). OnePlus seems to strike a middle ground: it’s as smart as any Wear OS watch, yet its battery life starts encroaching on territory that only less-smart fitness watches used to have. For an average consumer wanting a bit of everything, that’s compelling.

In conclusion, the OnePlus Watch 3 holds its own or beats competitors in several areas. It outlasts Apple and Google watches easily in battery, and even gives Samsung’s best a run for their money. It nails the fundamentals (notifications, apps, fitness tracking) while offering premium build at a mid-range price. Competitors still have advantages: Apple with deep integration and a mature ecosystem, Samsung with a wider array of health metrics and proven track record, Google with the latest software features and Fitbit integration. But OnePlus has entered the conversation in a big way. As an expert from Android Headlines concluded after two weeks with it: “It’s still a great watch… the best value in Wear OS watches today” androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com. The OnePlus Watch 3 is basically forcing Apple and Samsung to take note – especially on the battery life expectations. And for consumers shopping in 2025, it means there’s a new top-tier option to consider that might just outshine the usual suspects depending on what you value most in a smartwatch.

Expert Opinions and Conclusion

The OnePlus Watch 3 has garnered praise from tech experts and reviewers, often in superlative terms. To wrap up, let’s highlight a few expert commentaries:

Matt Evans, TechRadar (April 2025): “With an impressive 120 hours of battery life and a big, bold AMOLED screen, the OnePlus Watch 3 is an iterative update that still manages to impress… it’s packed full of solid health and communications features… OnePlus have made a lovely Wear OS dress watch for casual fitness enthusiasts.” techradar.com techradar.com In his review, Evans gave it high marks, dinging it only for its size and a couple of minor tracking issues, ultimately naming it the best Wear OS watch for battery life and a top contender for best Android smartwatch of 2025 techradar.com techradar.com.
Michael Hicks, Android Central (Feb 2025): After speaking with OnePlus’s R&D head, Hicks wrote about OnePlus’s commitment to fix the Watch 3’s shortcomings (size/LTE). He noted, “As much as the OnePlus Watch 3 has impressed us so far with its incredible battery life… [it’s good to see] OnePlus prioritizing a smaller watch design to make its watches more competitive” androidcentral.com androidcentral.com. This highlights that even critics were largely impressed from the get-go, and OnePlus’s responsive roadmap only made their recommendation easier.
Alexander Maxham, Android Headlines (July 2025): In his hands-on with the 43 mm model, he states “The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is perhaps the best value in Wear OS smartwatches right now… it doesn’t skimp out on much of anything.” androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com He was particularly pleased with how few compromises the smaller version made and reiterated that OnePlus is basically neck-and-neck with Samsung and Google now, even beating them on price.
Ars Technica (April 2025): Despite criticizing the initial U.S. price hike, Ars Technica admitted “the reviews of the watch were pretty stellar” arstechnica.com arstechnica.com and called the hardware “overbuilt” in a good way for the cost. After OnePlus adjusted the price, the consensus was that it’s a much more compelling buy.
User community: On social platforms and forums, early adopters have been positive. A Reddit user did caution about a screen issue on their unit (anecdotes like a screen becoming unresponsive after a month) reddit.com, but those seem to be isolated cases. Meanwhile, enthusiasts on X (Twitter) like Mishaal Rahman marveled at the battery, calling it “an absolute battery life BEAST” x.com. The general sentiment is that OnePlus finally delivered on the promise of a true multi-day smartwatch with minimal compromise.

Pros & Cons Recap: Experts universally list battery life as the number one pro – “best battery of any smartwatch” is a common refrain techradar.com. The adoption of Wear OS (with all Google apps) is another pro, fixing the lackluster software of OnePlus’s first attempt techradar.com. The classic design and premium build also get nods – it’s a smartwatch that doesn’t look like a plasticky fitness gadget techradar.com. On the downside, the watch’s initial one-size approach was a con – “big and heavy” for many wrists techradar.com – but with the 43 mm option now, that con is effectively addressed. The absence of LTE at launch is a con for some (if you needed untethered connectivity), though this will likely be solved in future iterations techradar.com. Some reviewers also pointed out that while health tracking is generally solid, it’s not as extensively validated as Apple’s or Samsung’s – e.g., TechRadar noted *“slight issues with swim tracking & sleep data interpretation” and the relative newness of OnePlus’s health algorithms techradar.com. These are relatively minor quibbles in the grand scheme.

In final analysis, the OnePlus Watch 3 has successfully gone “from underdog to top contender” in the smartwatch race. It has set a new benchmark for what users can expect from an Android watch in terms of longevity and has done so while delivering a polished experience. It stands out in 2025 as a device that bridges the gap between a high-end smartwatch and a long-lasting fitness watch, essentially giving users the best of both worlds. As OnePlus continues to refine its wearables (and perhaps introduce a future OnePlus Watch 4 with even more features), the competition will have to respond – in fact, there are already hints that Google and Samsung are eyeing bigger batteries and more efficient chips in their next models techradar.com techradar.com, a trend OnePlus can be partly credited for pushing.

For consumers, this competition is a big win. The OnePlus Watch 3 provides an excellent option for Android users who want a premium, round smartwatch with days of endurance, comprehensive health tracking, and no major compromises. It’s not often we see a relatively new player challenge established giants like Apple and Samsung so directly, but OnePlus has done just that. As the clickbait title of this report suggests, the Watch 3 truly “shocks the smartwatch world with a 120-hour battery” – and it’s a strong contender for the title of best smartwatch of 2025 in its category. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast seeking the latest and greatest, or a casual user tired of nightly charging, the OnePlus Watch 3 is absolutely worthy of your consideration. It represents how far the smartwatch market has evolved, and raises the bar for what every smartwatch should strive to be going forward techradar.com techradar.com.

Sources: OnePlus Press Releases and Website oneplus.com oneplus.com; TechRadar (Matt Evans) techradar.com techradar.com; TechRadar News techradar.com techradar.com; Android Central (Michael Hicks) androidcentral.com androidcentral.com; Android Headlines (Alex Maxham) androidheadlines.com androidheadlines.com; Ars Technica arstechnica.com arstechnica.com; Digital Trends arstechnica.com; Android Authority & The Verge androidauthority.com theverge.com; Android Central vs comparisons androidcentral.com androidcentral.com; TechRadar vs Pixel techradar.com; Mishaal Rahman via X x.com; OnePlus interviews (Celina Shi) techradar.com techradar.com; and user/reviewer reports techradar.com techradar.com, as cited throughout above.