Put on OS Weekly
My new weekly column focuses on the state of Put on OS, from new developments and updates to the newest apps and options we need to spotlight.
The OnePlus Watch 3 has the possibility to be the most effective Android watches we have seen, pushing Samsung and Google out of their consolation zone. However provided that it resolves the issues of the OnePlus Watch 2.
A leaker has advised the OnePlus Watch 3 will arrive subsequent month alongside the OnePlus 13 and 13R, each formally confirmed to launch in January 2025. The Watch 2 arrived in March 2024, however maybe OnePlus desires to align its flagship telephone and watch launches for higher gross sales and bundles.
The OnePlus Watch 2 was the corporate’s first Put on OS watch, and it shocked us with its multi-day battery life, quick efficiency, and enticing metal design. It additionally had basic points with software program and well being accuracy, and different complaints about its measurement and lacking options.
I polled our two OnePlus Watch 2 reviewers, Harish Jonnalaggadda and Nick Sutrich, whereas utilizing my expertise reviewing the funds OnePlus Watch 2R, to give you a complete record of all the things we would like from the OnePlus Watch 3!
Two sizes and a working crown
Each the OnePlus Watch 2 and 2R shipped in a single pretty giant measurement, with a 1.43-inch AMOLED show that matches the 1.43-inch, 45mm Pixel Watch 3 and falls barely wanting the 1.5-inch, 44mm Galaxy Watch 7. Not like each of these watches, it has a 47mm, classic-style case that is giant and heavy by any normal — about 80g with the strap.
Additionally in contrast to Google and Samsung, OnePlus solely bought that one measurement possibility. Harish, who preferred the Watch 2’s general look however not its “sizeable bezel” and “cumbersome” really feel, says a smaller Watch 3 is his important request.
Our first hope for the OnePlus Watch 3 is that it sells a smaller possibility, more than likely a 43mm case with a 1.25- or 1.3-inch show, that also retains a big battery capability and its MIL-STD-810H-grade metal design.
Our second hope is that the Watch 3 has a working crown. The Watch 2’s top-right crown button was “purely for aesthetics,” as you could possibly press to pick out however not scroll. Some Put on OS capabilities are annoying to swipe by way of, which is why Google and Samsung use a crown and digital bezel; let’s hope OnePlus will get with this system.
Put on OS 5, notification fixes, and backups
The OnePlus Watch 2 launched with Put on OS 4 and has two promised model updates, so we count on Put on OS 5 on the Watch 3 at launch. However Put on OS watches are stricken by gradual updates, and types aside from Google and Samsung have sometimes trailed a yr behind them for model updates. So we’re crossing our fingers that OnePlus retains tempo and we do not have to attend for OS 5.
Put on OS 5 added display measurement optimization, reflowing textual content to suit smaller or bigger screens, which might assist OnePlus promote a brand new petite show possibility. It additionally added battery optimizations that might make the Watch 3 even extra long-lived, plus varied health instruments for extra dynamic exercises.
However OnePlus may have its personal spinoff of Put on OS 5, with distinctive perks and drawbacks. Working example, its model of Put on OS 4 would not help straightforward watch backups or transfers to your subsequent Android telephone, forcing you to scan a QR code simply to switch your well being knowledge. We might need OnePlus to atone for this entrance.
OnePlus makes use of a novel dual-OS system for its watches, with Put on OS for the primary duties and low-powered, proprietary RTOS operating low-powered duties on the coprocessor. This technique is the key to its 4-day battery life, but it surely additionally gave a number of of us constant issues with ghost notifications by no means making it from telephone to look at.
To be honest to OnePlus, we have additionally seen stories of ghost notifications on the Galaxy Watch 7. However OnePlus particularly appears to battle with the difficulty, and we might wish to see that resolved or lowered by the OnePlus Watch 3 launch.
Samsung provides its Galaxy Watches distinctive perks for Samsung telephone house owners (AI insights, AFib readings, and sleep apnea detection); the identical goes for Google and Pixel house owners (Pixel name screening, synced watch-phone recordings, Extremely Wideband telephone unlock). OnePlus telephones dominate our greatest Android telephones record, and we might like to see OnePlus telephone house owners have distinctive Put on OS perks of their very own to take pleasure in.
A serious well being and health overhaul
One among our greatest complaints with the OnePlus Watch 2 was with well being and exercise monitoring. Our reviewer Harish discovered that it had inconsistent step counts, “hilariously dangerous” stress knowledge, and dangerous sleep-stage proportions. And Nick, who wore the OnePlus Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 2 for every week, discovered that OnePlus struggled to precisely seize larger coronary heart charges throughout his exercises.
Apparently, when I examined the OnePlus Watch 2R’s accuracy, it did much better than anticipated. It wasn’t pretty much as good as my Garmin watch and its common HR was normally 1–2 bpm beneath the right ranges, but it surely was surprisingly first rate for step rely and ok for distance because of its dual-band GPS.
Our hope is that no matter behind-the-scenes tweaks OnePlus gave the Watch 2R will likely be utilized to the Watch 3, and it will not be fairly so ineffective on the subject of your exercise knowledge. However that is simply the beginning of what OnePlus must do.
In comparison with Apple, Samsung, and Google, OnePlus would not provide sure mainline well being options like an ECG for lively AFib detection or passive monitoring of irregular coronary heart rhythm all through the day. You do not get pores and skin temperature readings for sleep high quality or well being warnings, nor menstrual cycle monitoring (a reasonably frequent characteristic throughout most watch manufacturers). Neither is there any sort of fall detection characteristic.
It is also honest to name out the companion OHealth app, which is kind of primary in comparison with Fitbit or Samsung Well being. The info collected is proven in a satisfying and easy means, however you will not discover an power rating, coaching load, pattern exercises, well being stories, meals/ water logging, or any variety of different necessities you’re taking as a right with different watches. Exporting to Strava or utilizing Well being Join is normally the most suitable choice.
If OnePlus desires to compete with the big-name manufacturers, it wants to supply extra worth to its fitness-focused or health-conscious clients, or else make a cope with Google to make Fitbit the default.
Hoping for greater than an iterative replace
There are different small OnePlus Watch 3 requests like LTE help, a DC dimming possibility for the show for PWM-sensitive folks, a a lot larger max brightness (the Watch 2 and 2R hit 600 and 1,000 nits, respectively), and extra fascinating default watch faces.
However the actual query comes all the way down to what processor the OnePlus Watch 3 makes use of. I think it will be the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1, identical as different current watches just like the Pixel Watch 3 and TicWatch Professional 5 Enduro. So it is a disgrace OnePlus could not have waited, for the reason that subsequent Snapdragon chip is due in mid-2025 and will ship much better efficiency and effectivity.
We gave the OnePlus Watch 2 a move on a variety of issues as a result of it was the primary Put on OS watch and did a unbelievable job in key areas like battery life. However we’ll be a lot more durable on the Watch 3 if it may well’t catch as much as the greatest Android watches for most of the requests above.
