OnePlus Watch 2 in a short test: This smartwatch looks ordinary, but has a special feature

Around three years ago, OnePlus ventured into the smartwatch market with its own model. The OnePlus Watch was not particularly successful. Three years later, a successor is now being released in which the manufacturer does a few things differently and obviously does a lot of things right. According to its own information, the company has already sold more models in pre-sales within 24 hours than the OnePlus Watch did in a whole month. What makes the OnePlus Watch 2 so desirable?

1. WearOS expands its range of functions

2. One model, little choice

3. Two processors for long battery life

4. Price and availability

5. netzwelt says

   1. We liked that

   2. We didn’t like that

We took a closer look at the watch at the Google stand at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Why can the clock be found at the Google booth? Quite simply, OnePlus does not rely on its own operating system, as with its first watch, but rather on Google’s WearOS.

WearOS expands its range of functions

This expands the functionality of the watch enormously. With the OnePlus Watch 2 you can now pay via Google Pay and have access to numerous apps such as Google Maps or WhatsApp on your wrist. The focus of the OnePlus Watch 2 is on sports and fitness features.

The watch can track your sleep, warn you about stress, and record over 100 activities. The watch records, among other things, your VO2 max value, heart rate and SpO2 value. However, the OnePlus Watch 2 does not offer an ECG or fall detection. However, the latter can be retrofitted with an app on WearOS.

By switching to WearOS, the watch can only be used with Android phones from version 8.0. The OnePlus Watch didn’t work with the iPhone either, so this isn’t a disadvantage.

One model, little choice

OnePlus only offers the OnePlus Watch 2 in one size (47 millimeters). The watch only connects to the Internet via WLAN; there is no LTE model. After all, there are two color options to choose from: “Black Steel” and “Gradient Steel”.

The workmanship gives us mixed feelings: The housing is made of stainless steel and can withstand water pressure of up to 5 ATM. The buckle on the bracelet is also made of stainless steel. The bracelet, however, is made of fluoro rubber.

From our point of view, this doesn’t really fit together. While the watch case gives the impression of a luxury watch, the bracelet seems rather cheap to us. OnePlus does not currently offer any other bracelets, so you have to use bracelets from third-party providers.

Two processors for long battery life

One reason for the high demand for the OnePlus Watch 2 is probably the promised battery life. You should be able to squeeze up to 100 hours, or almost four days, out of the 500 milliamp hour battery despite the 1.43-inch AMOLED display; with more intensive use, it should still be 48 hours.

The long running time is made possible by the larger battery compared to other smartwatches and by a technical trick. The Chinese manufacturer installs two processors. In addition to the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5, which is also used in the Pixel Watch 2, the watch also contains the BES 2700 chip. It is said to be extremely efficient and takes over when less demanding tasks are being carried out.

Of course, we weren’t able to test the battery life at the trade fair. We will do this soon in a detailed test in the editorial team.

Price and availability

The OnePlus Watch 2 can now be pre-ordered. The watch costs 299 euros in advance, normally 329 euros. You are currently getting the OnePlus Buds 3 worth 99 euros for free.

At OnePlus Pre-order OnePlus Watch 2*

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netzwelt says

If the battery life lasts in practice as OnePlus promises, the OnePlus Watch 2 should find many fans. Otherwise, the watch is just a regular smartwatch with WearOS.

We liked that

• extensive application possibilities thanks to WearOS

We didn’t like that

• just one size
• no other bracelets on offer