OnePlus Watch 2: A Battery Behemoth That Left Me Wishing for More
As a tech enthusiast who’s strapped countless smartwatches to my wrist, I approached the OnePlus Watch 2 with a mix of excitement and doubt. After a month of coexisting with this device, I can declare it’s etched an impression – though not the one I anticipated. Let’s plunge into the essence of what propels this wearable, and why it might revolutionize your perception of smartwatch battery life.
OnePlus Watch 2 Black Steel, 32GB, 100-Hour Battery, Health & Fitness Tracking, Sapphire Crystal Design, Dual-Engine, Wear OS by Google
Features
| Product Dimensions | 47 x 46.6 x 12.1 inches |
| Item Weight | 10.8 ounces |
| ASIN | B0CV5ZG5TC |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Date First Available | February 26, 2024 |
| Manufacturer | OnePlus |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Standing screen display size | 1.43 Inches |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 32 GB |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 2 GB |
- Redefining Durability: The OnePlus Watch 2 fuses a stainless-steel chassis with a robust 2.5D sapphire crystal face, delivering a sophisticated design that withstands daily wear and tear with a 5ATM and IP68 rating, and military-grade standard for durability.
- Unmatched Precision: Equip yourself with professional-grade location tracking thanks to the watch's dual-frequency L1+L5 GPS, ensuring you always know exactly where you are when you explore the outdoors.
- Extended Performance: Enjoy the freedom of long-lasting battery life with up to 100 hours in Smart Mode and up to 12 days in Power Saver Mode, powered by OnePlus' Dual-Engine Architecture and supported by VOOC Fast Charging technology.
- Seamless Smart Integration: With Wear OS 4, access the best of Google and over 100 sports modes, alongside essential functions like heart rate and sleep monitoring, even in Power Saver Mode.
- Health Features: The OHealth app provides a comprehensive overview of your wellness, offering insights into sleep patterns, stress levels, and a wide range of fitness metrics to help you tailor your health and exercise regimen.
- Sophisticated Technology: With a 1.43” AMOLED display with high brightness mode, the OnePlus Watch 2 provides a visually stunning interface. It comes with 32GB storage and 2GB RAM for all your apps and media.
Design and Build: Embrace Grandeur or Step Aside
A Watch That Proclaims Its Presence (Whether You Desire It or Not)
The moment I unveiled the OnePlus Watch 2, one fact crystallized: this is not a timepiece for the delicate-wristed. At a substantial 46mm, it boldly demands attention with its stainless steel case and sapphire crystal display. As a 5’11” guy with hands that dwarf most watches, even I paused at its magnitude.
For those blessed with larger wrists, the Watch 2 blazons a bold fashion statement that broadcasts “tech-savvy.” However, if you’re like me and you relish your tech to trumpet its presence, you might find yourself mirroring a kid on Christmas morning. I’m elated that OnePlus has emulated its competitors and proffered it in a large format. It transcends aesthetics – I abhor squinting at a tiny screen.
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Comfort Meets Durability (Most of the Time)
Despite its imposing presence, I was pleasantly surprised by the Watch 2’s comfort level. The 22mm fluoro-rubber strap is a dream – soft, easily adjustable, and mercifully free from the lint and dirt attraction that plagues some other smartwatch bands. I found myself able to wear it through the night for sleep tracking without any discomfort, which is more than I can say for some of its rivals. For the most part, I usually do not wear the watch at night. I typically have other gadgets that track my night.
The IP68 water resistance is a nice touch, giving me peace of mind during sweaty workouts and unexpected rain showers. Just remember to swap out that fancy strap if you’re planning on taking it for a dip in the ocean – salt water and smart devices rarely play nice.
The Dual-Chip Magic: A Tale of Two Processors
Two Brains Are Better Than One (Usually)
OnePlus has taken a page out of the “why not both?” playbook with the Watch 2, employing two operating systems and two processors. This clever setup allows for efficient task management:
- Wear OS 4, powered by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, handles the heavy lifting like running Google Maps or controlling your smart home devices.
- A Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), driven by the BES2700 chip, manages background tasks and keeps the always-on display ticking.
In theory, this should give you the best of both worlds – the functionality of a full-fledged smartwatch with the battery life of a more basic fitness tracker. And for the most part, it delivers. I found the watch surprisingly responsive, with apps launching quickly and animations flowing smoothly.
However, this dual-chip setup isn’t without its quirks. Occasionally, I noticed a slight lag when switching between intensive tasks, as if the watch was deciding which chip should take the lead. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means, but it’s a reminder that even clever engineering solutions can have their hiccups. I know that some will take this “occasionally” out of context, let me be very clear; 98% of the time there are no issues. The regular Joe consumer will notice nothing.
Battery Life: The Game Changer That Actually Changed the Game
Days, Not Hours: A Smartwatch Revolution
Let’s cut to the chase – the battery life on the OnePlus Watch 2 is nothing short of revolutionary. After years of nightly charging rituals with other smartwatches, the Watch 2 felt like fresh air. I consistently squeezed out four full days of use with the always-on display turned off. I personally don’t need the watch display to be on continuously. Flicking my wrist to have a look is good enough and the haptic feedback is good to let me know I have something.
To put this in perspective, my Pixel Watch 2 and Apple Watch compatriots were begging for a charge while the OnePlus Watch 2 was still going strong. It’s the kind of battery performance that makes you rethink what’s possible in a smartwatch, and I found myself wishing every wearable could match this longevity. Oh mighty wearable god do something about all the others out there!
| Date | Time | Battery Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| July 17 | 9:20pm | 100% |
| July 19 | 7:55am | 72% |
| July 20 | 1:24pm | 52% |
| July 22 | 7:37am | 12% |
| July 22 | 8:32pm | 100% |
| July 24 | 9:00am | 78% |
| July 26 | 1:26pm | 40% |
| July 28 | Noon | 10% |
Quick Juice-Up: Because Time Is Money
When you do finally need to charge the Watch 2, it doesn’t keep you waiting. A mere hour is all it takes to go from empty to full, which is a godsend for those of us who always seem to remember to charge our devices five minutes before we need to leave the house. Even a quick 15-minute charge while I was in the shower was enough to keep the watch going for another day or two.
This combination of long battery life and fast charging fundamentally changed how I interacted with the watch. No more battery anxiety, no more carrying chargers on weekend trips. It’s the kind of quality-of-life improvement that you don’t realize you need until you experience it.
Smart Features: The Best of Wear OS (Mostly)
A Familiar Face with New Tricks
Running on Wear OS 4, the OnePlus Watch 2 offers a smooth, responsive interface that will feel like home to Android users. From Google Maps guiding me through Vancouver’s crazy streets to YouTube Music soundtracking my workday, all my favourite apps were just a tap away. The integration with Google’s ecosystem is seamless, making the watch feel like a natural extension of my phone.
One standout feature is the customizable buttons. Being able to set shortcuts for my most-used functions – like starting a workout or checking my calendar – added a layer of convenience I didn’t know I was missing. It’s these little touches that can make a big difference in day-to-day usability. Just like setting up a button for accessing my wallet.
The One-App Marvel: OHealth
Unlike some competitors that force you to juggle multiple apps, OnePlus consolidates the experience with the OHealth app. This singular hub orchestrates both the watch’s functions and your health data, conjuring a refreshing oasis in a desert of fragmented app ecosystems.
However, the app isn’t without its quirks. I stumbled upon minor design flaws, with words colliding in certain views like clumsy dancers. While the app adequately showcases your health data, I yearned for more profound insights that weave different metrics into a tapestry of understanding – an area where rivals like Garmin and Fitbit paint masterpieces.
Health and Fitness Tracking: A Potpourri of Metrics
Comprehensive, Yet Tantalizingly Incomplete
The OnePlus Watch 2 arrives armed with an arsenal of health and fitness tracking features, from sleep surveillance to SpO2 divination. The dual-frequency GPS sparkles as a gem, promising to chart your outdoor adventures with pinpoint precision.
However, as I subjected the watch to a gauntlet of tests, I couldn’t help but lament some glaring absences:
- No ECG functionality
- Lack of fall detection
- Absence of period tracking
These features have steadily infiltrated the smartwatch landscape at this price point, and their absence echoes loudly, particularly for those who lean on their wearables for all-encompassing health surveillance.
A Saga of Dual Wrists: Precision Escapades
My journey with the Watch 2’s fitness tracking zigzagged like a wild rollercoaster. At first, the heart rate monitoring during workouts frustrated me with its wayward readings. Despite my lungs burning and muscles screaming as I pushed myself to the brink, the watch stubbornly insisted my heart merely fluttered at the pace of a leisurely saunter.
However, I did notice that the watch was slower to catch up during high-intensity interval training. If you’re a HIIT enthusiast or rely on precise heart rate data for your training, this lag might be a concern.
Sleep Tracking: Dreams of Accuracy
On the sleep tracking front, the Watch 2 performed admirably once I got the fit dialled in. After the initial adjustments, my sleep duration and sleep score results nearly matched those from my trusty Ultrahuman ring. The ability to track multiple nights without needing to charge was a huge plus, allowing me to get a more comprehensive view of my sleep patterns.
I particularly appreciated the inclusion of features like snoring monitoring, which adds an extra layer of insight into sleep quality. However, the large size of the watch did make it less comfortable for overnight wear compared to some slimmer competitors.
The Tech Specs: For the Spec-Obsessed Among Us
For those who love to dive into the nitty-gritty details, here’s a comprehensive look at the OnePlus Watch 2’s technical specifications:
| Display | Design |
|---|---|
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| Hardware | Connectivity |
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| Sensors | Software |
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Additional Photos
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The Verdict: A Promising Contender with Room to Grow
After a month of coexisting with the OnePlus Watch 2, I find myself wrestling with conflicting emotions. On one hand, battery life revolutionizes the wearable landscape, unveiling a future where smartwatches rival traditional timepieces in endurance and dependability. The dual-chip architecture dazzles with its ingenuity, and when it hums in harmony, it unleashes a fluid and snappy user experience that challenges the industry’s titans.
The watch’s large size is a significant reason why it’s a must for many potential users, myself included. The missing health features – particularly ECG and fall detection – feel like notable omissions in a smartwatch at this price point. While the fitness tracking is generally good, the initial accuracy issues and slower response during high-intensity workouts may give serious athletes pause.
The OnePlus Watch 2 feels like a device with immense potential, slightly held back by a few key decisions. It’s a solid choice for Android users who prioritize battery life and basic smartwatch functionality above all else. However, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive health-tracking device or something that won’t dominate your wrist, you might want to look elsewhere. I personally am not using a smartwatch for the health aspect of it, I need an extension of my smartphone more than anything else.
| Who Should Buy the OnePlus Watch 2 | Who Should Look Elsewhere |
|---|---|
| Battery life enthusiasts who are tired of daily charging. | Users with smaller wrists or those who prefer a more subtle wearable. |
| Android users looking for a fully-featured Wear OS experience. | Fitness fanatics who require precise, real-time heart rate data. |
| Those who appreciate a larger watch face and don’t mind the bulk. | Health-conscious individuals who rely on features like ECG and fall detection. |
| Casual fitness trackers who don’t need specialized health features. | Those who want the longest possible software support for their device. |
Gazing into the Future: The OnePlus Watch 3?
As I conclude my time with the OnePlus Watch 2, I can’t help but ponder what might materialize next. The foundations laid here – particularly the innovative dual-chip design and impressive battery life – hint at an exciting future for OnePlus in the wearable space.
If OnePlus can address the size issue, perhaps by offering multiple size options, and flesh out the health tracking features to rival competitors like Apple and Samsung, they could have a real winner on their hands. The potential simmers beneath the surface, and it’s clear that OnePlus isn’t afraid to think outside the box.
For now, the OnePlus Watch 2 stands as a bold stride forward in smartwatch battery life, even if it stumbles in a few other areas. It’s a device that challenges our expectations of what a smartwatch can be, and for that alone, it’s worth your attention. Whether it’s the right choice for you hinges on your priorities, but one thing’s certain – the OnePlus Watch 2 has etched its mark on the smartwatch landscape, and I’m eager to witness OnePlus’s next move.
In the end, the OnePlus Watch 2 resembles that brilliant but quirky friend – it might not be perfect for everyone, but it’s impossible to ignore and always keeps things interesting. And in the rapidly evolving world of wearables, sometimes that’s exactly what we need to propel the industry forward.
