ZDNET's key takeaways The OnePlus Watch 3 normally retails for $350.
Its long-lasting battery, durability, rotating digital crown, and superb design make this a compelling smartwatch.
However, the OHealth app needs some work, workout data screens are limited, and ECG measurements are not supported. View now at OnePlus
After the original OnePlus Watch failed in 2021, the company hit it out of the park with the OnePlus Watch 2. Users, like myself, have been very happy with the Watch 2, but did provide feedback to OnePlus, and the company clearly listened as the newest OnePlus Watch 3 improves in some key areas. There are still reasons to consider other Google Wear OS watches, but battery life shouldn't be one of them.
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That's because OnePlus advertises up to five days of battery life in typical "smart" mode, and I can confirm that is accurate. A five-day battery life for a smartwatch is unheard of when the Apple Watch, Google Pixel Watch, and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra are still trailing in the two-day range. The OnePlus Watch 3 now competes with GPS sports watches that have AMOLED displays, so if battery life is your primary factor for a smartwatch, then you can't go wrong with a OnePlus Watch 3.
This long battery life is achieved through the OnePlus dual-engine architecture and the incorporation of a large 631 mAh battery that uses the OnePlus Silicon NanoStack Battery, similar to what is found in the battery king OnePlus 13.
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Previous OnePlus Watch 2 owners were disappointed in the digital crown button serving only as a button, so OnePlus took that feedback, and now the digital crown is larger, has some texture on it, and spins to navigate through menus. The crown also rotates in the app launcher to provide a slick experience where the watch face zooms in and out of the apps to help you read the app label or zoom out to see everything you have installed.
Another criticism of the Watch 2 was the lack of compelling watch faces. That is no longer the case with some fantastic options from OnePlus, including one of my favorites, Metric Matrix, which provides eight functional complications and a host of color options. One of the coolest options available on the Watch 3 is the Moments in Motion watch face, which plays a video when you tap on it and can even loop the video, although that will significantly decrease the battery life.
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