The OnePlus Watch 2 continues the legacy established by its predecessor, aiming to be a powerful companion for Android users on their active journeys. It delivers a refined design, robust feature set, and a remarkable promise of extended battery life, all wrapped within a relatively competitive price point. This smartwatch boasts an array of health and fitness tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and SpO2 measurement. Additionally, it offers enhanced connectivity options like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to keep users seamlessly connected. Let’s take a closer dive into what this smartwatch truly brings to the table, from its customizable watch faces to its water resistance and music playback features that make it a versatile tool for both casual users and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Design and Durability: Built to Last
OnePlus has clearly prioritized durability with the Watch 2. Its stainless steel frame exudes a premium feel, a far cry from the more plasticky build of its predecessor. The raised bezel and sapphire crystal covering the face provide reassuring scratch and impact resistance – a boon for those who lead a more active lifestyle. The overall aesthetic remains sporty, with a focus on functionality rather than extravagant looks.
The Watch 2 comes with standard-sized watch straps, easily swappable for a variety of colors and styles to match your personal preference. The comfortable fit makes it easy to wear for extended periods throughout the day and night.
Display: Crisp and Responsive
The 1.43-inch AMOLED display is a joy to use. It’s bright, vivid, and responsive to touch, ensuring easy navigation of the Wear OS interface. While it doesn’t reach the pixel density of some premium-tier smartwatches, the visuals remain sharp and satisfying for everyday use.
Performance: A New Standard in Efficiency?
One of the most intriguing aspects of the OnePlus Watch 2 is its unique dual-chipset architecture. The combination of the Snapdragon W5 and the BES 2700 chipset aims to balance high performance with energy conservation. The idea is for the snappier Snapdragon W5 to handle more demanding tasks, while the low-power BES 2700 takes over for background processes and simpler functions.
During daily use, the watch feels snappy and responsive. Whether you’re switching between fitness tracking modes, checking notifications, or browsing apps, there’s minimal lag or stutter. Whether the dual-chip configuration ultimately results in a breakthrough in Wear OS battery life remains to be fully tested across extensive real-world scenarios.
Software and Features: Wear OS and OnePlus Flair
The OnePlus Watch 2 runs a version of Google’s Wear OS 4. Although not the latest Wear OS version, it provides a fluid user experience and compatibility with a wide array of apps on the Google Play Store. OnePlus adds its own touch with a custom user interface and some exclusive app integrations with OnePlus phones.
Speaking of apps, you’ll find all the usual suspects on the OnePlus Watch 2. From fitness tracking and music control to productivity tools and even some light games, the watch delivers a diverse library of functionality to enhance your daily life.
Health and Fitness Tracking: Comprehensive and Capable
OnePlus has made notable strides in the health and fitness tracking department compared to the first generation Watch. You’ll find staples like comprehensive heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and built-in GPS for accurately mapping workouts. SpO2 monitoring, while not groundbreaking, is a welcome addition for gauging your blood oxygen levels. The OnePlus Watch 2 proudly boasts over 100 sports modes, catering to a diverse array of athletic activities.
The collected health data is presented in a clear and intuitive format within the accompanying app. While the OnePlus Watch 2 might not reach the level of granularity as some dedicated fitness trackers, it provides a more than satisfactory experience for the average fitness enthusiast and health-conscious individual.
Battery Life: A Potential Game-Changer
Battery life has long been a sore point for Wear OS smartwatches. The OnePlus Watch 2 aims to address this head-on, boasting an impressive claim of up to 100 hours in Smart Mode and around 48 hours under heavy usage. Should these claims hold true in real-world use, it would be a significant step up from many of its Wear OS rivals. The watch also supports fast charging, promising a full day’s charge in just a few minutes.
Beyond the Basics
The OnePlus Watch 2 offers several convenient features to streamline your life. The ability to make and receive phone calls directly from your wrist is a definite plus. Contactless payments via NFC are also supported, though the availability of this feature may be region-dependent. Google Assistant is on hand to respond to your voice commands and queries.
Music lovers will appreciate the onboard storage, allowing you to leave your phone behind during runs while still enjoying your favorite tunes. There’s a built-in speaker that delivers surprisingly decent sound output, especially for voice calls and quick media playback.
Ultimately, if you’re ready to embrace the possibilities of a Wear OS smartwatch, and are seeking something that balances sporty design, robust features, and a focus on long battery life, the OnePlus Watch 2 at $299 deserves serious consideration.
