OnePlus Watch 3 & OnePlus Watch 2 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the OnePlus Watch 3 rather than the OnePlus Watch 2.
Why Do I Recommend The OnePlus Watch 3?
- The OnePlus Watch 3 features a new BES2800 co-processor for improved energy efficiency and smoother dual-engine performance, whereas the OnePlus Watch 2 uses the older BES2700 chip.
- OnePlus Watch 3 includes a 1.50-inch LTPO AMOLED display for better brightness control and battery optimization, while the OnePlus Watch 2 features a 1.43-inch standard AMOLED display.
- It comes with a sapphire crystal 2D cover glass for greater scratch resistance and durability, whereas the OnePlus Watch 2 uses a 2.5D glass or sapphire variant depending on region.
- The OnePlus Watch 3 supports a rotating crown control for easier scrolling and precise navigation, while the OnePlus Watch 2 relies only on touch and side buttons.
- OnePlus Watch 3 has a larger 631 mAh battery for longer endurance up to 16 days in Power Saver Mode, while the OnePlus Watch 2 includes a 500 mAh cell with about 12 days of Power Saver runtime.
- It features new health metrics such as wrist temperature and vascular age tracking for more comprehensive wellness insights, while the OnePlus Watch 2 lacks these additional metrics.
- The OnePlus Watch 3 launches with Wear OS 5 for improved optimization and Google app integration, whereas the OnePlus Watch 2 runs on Wear OS 4.
- OnePlus Watch 3 includes refined haptic feedback integrated with its digital crown for more tactile responses during interactions, while the OnePlus Watch 2 uses standard vibration feedback only.
Maybe the OnePlus Watch 2 can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the OnePlus Watch 3. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus Watch 3 | OnePlus Watch 2 |
| Chipset co-processor (dual-engine) | BES2800 | BES2700 |
| Display type | LTPO AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Display size (large model) | 1.50″ | 1.43″ |
| Peak brightness (large model) | ~2200 nits | ~600–1000 nits |
| Cover glass (large model) | Sapphire crystal | 2.5D glass/sapphire |
| Rotating crown | Yes | No |
| Smaller model display | 1.32″, 466×466 | Not available |
| Battery capacity | ~631 mAh | ~500 mAh |
| Smart Mode endurance | Up to ~120 h | Up to ~100 h |
| Power Saver endurance | Up to ~16 days | Up to ~12 days |
| Thickness (large model) | ~11.75 mm | ~12.1 mm |
| Bezel/material option | Titanium/stainless variants | Stainless steel |
| Health metrics additions | Wrist temperature, vascular age | No wrist temperature, no vascular age |
| Navigation inputs | Crown + button + touch | Button + touch |
| Wear OS at launch | Wear OS 5 | Wear OS 4 |
| Haptic feedback tuning | Newer tuning with crown interactions | Standard tuning |
| Brightness (smaller model) | 1000 nits | Not applicable |
| Color/finish variations | Expanded premium finishes | Fewer premium variants |
| Price | Check OnePlus 3 Price | Check OnePlus 2 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Operating System: Both watches run a dual-OS setup combining Google’s Wear OS for full smartwatch functionality and an RTOS layer for efficient low-power operations. This common architecture allows each model to support apps, watch faces and persistent background tracking.
- Support for Google Play Apps: Both devices support installation of third-party apps via Google Play, meaning users on either model can extend functionality beyond built-in features.
- Bluetooth calling: Each model offers Bluetooth-connected call handling when linked to a compatible smartphone, giving hands-free voice functionality on the wrist.
- Wi-Fi connectivity: Both watches include Wi-Fi support, enabling functions like app downloads, notifications and updates when the phone may not be in direct Bluetooth range.
- NFC support: Both support Near-Field Communication for contactless payments or interactions with compatible terminals, giving them similar convenience features.
- Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5): Each watch offers dual-band GNSS positioning (L1 + L5) along with support for Beidou, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS which means enhanced location accuracy during outdoor activities.
- Water resistance (5ATM + IP68): Both models are rated for 5ATM water resistance and IP68 dust/water protection, making them suitable for swimming and everyday exposure to moisture.
- Activity/sports mode tracking: Both offer numerous sport modes and fitness tracking capabilities—enabling tracking of runs, cycles, swims, etc—so the core fitness functionality is shared.
- Heart rate sensor: Both watches include optical heart-rate monitoring sensors that provide continuous HR tracking and alerts when thresholds are exceeded, a key wellness feature.
- SpO₂ (blood oxygen) sensor: Each model supports blood-oxygen saturation monitoring at the wrist, enabling insights into respiration, sleep and health status.
- Sleep monitoring: Both devices include sleep tracking (duration, sleep stages, breathing rate) as part of the health suite, enabling users to review sleep quality over time.
- Accelerometer + gyroscope sensors: Each watch includes motion sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope) which underpin features like auto workout detection, step counting and gesture inputs.
- Strap/lug length standard (for interchange): Both models support interchangeable watch straps via standard lug connections (and similar wrist-fit ranges) so users can adapt bands across models.
- 32GB internal storage: Both offer 32 GB of on-board storage (alongside RAM) for apps, music caching, watch faces and offline features—so memory capacity is equivalent.
- Smart notification & media control: Each model supports phone notification mirroring, media playback control and other smart-watch conveniences like timer/stopwatch/alarms, so the user experience is broadly aligned.
Common Features
| Feature | OnePlus Watch 3 | OnePlus Watch 2 |
| Operating System | Wear OS + RTOS | Wear OS + RTOS |
| Support for Google Play Apps | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth calling | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| NFC support | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5) | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance (5ATM + IP68) | Yes | Yes |
| Activity/sports mode tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate sensor | Yes | Yes |
| SpO₂ (blood oxygen) sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Accelerometer + gyroscope sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Strap/lug length standard (for interchange) | Yes | Yes |
| 32GB internal storage | Yes | Yes |
| Smart notification & media control | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth + BLE support | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check OnePlus 3 Price | Check OnePlus 2 Price |
FAQ
Does the OnePlus Watch 3 run the same operating system as the OnePlus Watch 2? Is the display technology similar between the OnePlus Watch 3 and Watch 2? Do both watches support Bluetooth calling? Are NFC payments available on both watches? Do both watches include GPS tracking? Is water resistance the same on both devices? Do both watches support SpO₂ monitoring? Can both watches track sleep and activity automatically? Is the heart rate monitoring feature similar on both? Do both watches use similar storage capacities? Are the connectivity options identical on both? Can both watches install apps from Google Play? Do both watches share similar sensor arrays? Are strap options interchangeable between the two? Do both watches support smart notifications and media control? |