OnePlus Watch 2: First impressions review, price, features

The OnePlus Watch 2 marks a return of sorts for OnePlus, to the smartwatch space. The last time OnePlus launched a smartwatch was in 2021. The OnePlus Watch was let down somewhat by a lack of apps and a custom OS. OnePlus calls the three-year gap a ‘reflective pause’. It went back to drawing board to return with a smartwatch that seems to tick key boxes. We take you through the highlights after spending more than a week with this wearable:

1. Stylish yet rugged: the OnePlus Watch 2 seeks design inspiration from the distinctive K-shape design of the OnePlus 12 series. The round watch face is a plus. (The reviewer picked the Radiant Steel variant over the Black Steel colour way for this article.) You can play around with watch bands to suit your mood or occasion – the watch is compatible with conventional 22mm watch straps.  The Watch 2 features a 2.5D sapphire crystal cover, making it more scratch-resistant. You can dunk it in the pool thanks to the IP68 resistant rating and 5ATM water resistance.

2. Twice as good: OnePlus opts for a hybrid user experience that integrates the latest version of Google’s Wear OS with its own custom OS. At its heart is OnePlus’ self-developed Dual-Engine architecture powered by two different flagship chipsets (Snapdragon W5 performance chipset and the BES 2700 MCU Efficiency chipset). The watch paired without a fuss with a couple of Android smartphones we tried. You get access to popular Google apps like Maps, Assistant, and Calendar, plus support for more third-party apps like Spotify.

3. Vibrant display: One of the highlights is a gorgeous 1.43-inch (466 x 466 pixels / 326PPI) display. There’s only one size option (47 mm) that might not work for tiny wrists. This bold display is backed by a solid battery. OnePlus claims 100 hours with Smart Mode or 48 hours with heavy use. Battery life is quite subjective and depends on your GPS usage for workouts and display settings. We think most users should manage about three days which is quite impressive.