OnePlus

Overview

OnePlus has rapidly established itself as a compelling player in the smartwatch market, bringing the same “premium features at value pricing” philosophy that made their smartphones successful. Founded in 2013 as a smartphone manufacturer with the “Never Settle” motto, OnePlus entered the smartwatch space in 2021 and has quickly gained recognition for creating watches that offer flagship-level build quality, exceptional battery life, and seamless ecosystem integration at competitive prices.

What sets OnePlus apart in the crowded smartwatch market is their engineering focus on solving real user pain points. Their latest Watch 3 achieves up to 120 hours of battery life through innovative dual-engine architecture, while maintaining premium materials like sapphire crystal glass and stainless steel construction. This approach appeals particularly to OnePlus smartphone users and Android enthusiasts who want a cohesive ecosystem experience without paying Apple or Samsung premium prices.

Key Products

OnePlus currently offers three main smartwatch lines that cater to different user needs and budgets. The OnePlus Watch 3 (2025) represents their flagship offering, featuring dual operating systems (Wear OS 5 and RTOS), exceptional 5-day battery life, and premium materials including sapphire crystal and stainless steel. At $499 in the US (£299 in the UK), it competes directly with Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra while offering superior battery performance.

The OnePlus Watch 2 and Watch 2R (2024) provide the core OnePlus experience at a more accessible $299 price point. These models introduced Wear OS to the OnePlus lineup after their original watch used a proprietary system. The Nord Watch 2 targets budget-conscious users at around $100, offering basic smartwatch functionality with OnePlus’s signature build quality and extended battery life in a more affordable package.

Market Position

OnePlus occupies a unique position in the smartwatch market as a premium smartphone brand extending into wearables with a clear value proposition. Unlike established watch makers moving into smart features, or tech giants building comprehensive ecosystems, OnePlus focuses on delivering flagship-level hardware and software experiences at mid-range prices. Their watches consistently outperform competitors in battery life while maintaining premium materials and build quality typically found in more expensive devices.

The brand particularly resonates with Android users who want seamless ecosystem integration without being locked into Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem or Google’s Pixel-centric approach. OnePlus watches work excellently with any Android device while offering enhanced features for OnePlus smartphone users through OxygenOS integration, creating a compelling middle path in the Android smartwatch landscape.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths: OnePlus’s biggest advantage is exceptional battery life, with their Watch 3 achieving 5+ days of typical usage compared to 1-2 days for most competitors. Their premium build quality using materials like sapphire crystal and stainless steel typically found in much more expensive watches creates excellent perceived value. Fast charging technology and clean Wear OS implementation without bloatware provide a smooth user experience, while competitive pricing makes flagship features accessible to more users.

Weaknesses: OnePlus’s smartwatch lineup is still relatively limited compared to established brands, with fewer size options and specialized variants. Their late adoption of Wear OS (only starting in 2024) means less ecosystem maturity compared to Samsung or Google. Health and fitness tracking, while competent, lacks the advanced features found in dedicated fitness brands like Garmin or specialized health monitoring capabilities of Apple Watch. The watches also tend to be on the larger, heavier side, which may not suit all wrist sizes.

For Consumers

OnePlus smartwatches are ideal for Android users, particularly those already invested in the OnePlus ecosystem, who prioritize battery life and premium build quality without paying ultra-premium prices. They’re perfect for users frustrated with daily charging requirements of other smartwatches, offering 3-5 day battery life depending on usage. The watches excel for users who want flagship-level materials and features but don’t need the most advanced health monitoring or the largest app ecosystem.