The highly anticipated OnePlus Watch 3 introduces several key refinements over its predecessor, the OnePlus Watch 2. While visually similar to the prior model, it now boasts a significantly larger 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display that impressively reaches 2,200 nits of peak brightness for much-improved outdoor visibility. This new display is framed with a titanium bezel and covered by sapphire glass, promising both elegance and durability. A notable enhancement in user interaction is the introduction of a navigable crown, which replaces the static crown of the previous design, thus offering an intuitive way to interact with the user interface. The 46mm Watch 3 is available in sophisticated Emerald and Obsidian Titanium color options, housed within a robust stainless steel frame that ensures longevity.
Enhanced Durability and Performance
The OnePlus Watch 3 takes its durability very seriously with a 5ATM waterproof rating, IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, and the tough MIL-STD-810H military standard certification. These ratings essentially mean that the watch is built to withstand rough conditions that many other smartwatches might falter under. Despite these upgrades, the Watch 3 remains a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-only device, not featuring cellular connectivity, which might disappoint some potential users. However, its dual-boot system, one featuring Google’s WearOS 5 and the other a custom RTOS (Real-Time Operating System), allows the Watch 3 to leverage Google’s extensive app ecosystem while optimizing efficiency for less demanding tasks. Under the hood, the Watch 3 houses the same Snapdragon W5 chipset as its predecessor, augmented by a custom BES 2800 co-processor and generous 32GB of storage.
Advanced Health Tracking and Improved Battery Life
The OnePlus Watch 3 takes health tracking to the next level. It boasts an 8-channel optical heart rate sensor and a 16-channel blood oxygen sensor, along with standard metrics for sleep, stress, and various physical activities. An innovative 60-second Health Check-In provides a quick snapshot of your overall health. Coming in Q2 2025, an ECG function promises even more advanced health monitoring. The new dual-frequency GPS receiver enhances the accuracy of activity and location tracking.
Battery life is also impressive: the 631mAh battery lasts up to five days with regular use and three days with heavy use. The power saver mode extends this to over 16 days, making it ideal for those who need extended battery life. Priced at $329 in the US, the OnePlus Watch 3 offers significant improvements in durability, performance, and health tracking.
Pre-order incentives include a $50 coupon and a free pair of OnePlus Buds 3 or Pro 3, with shipping starting on February 25. These upgrades make the OnePlus Watch 3 a strong contender in the competitive smartwatch market.