Meet the OnePlus Watch 3 (43 mm): Compact Stainless Steel, Debuts July 8.
This is hands down the best Wear OS smartwatch I’ve tried so far. Since I started testing it, I’ve already told two family members to check it out. For under $300, you get strong performance, excellent battery life, fast charging, and a clean software experience. Trade-in offers can knock the price down even more.
If you use an Android phone and want a Wear OS watch, it’s tough to find a better choice than the OnePlus Watch 3. OnePlus keeps building on what made its earlier models good, and this one stands out. The watch has a beautiful design with a titanium bezel and sapphire crystal glass. It feels premium and looks expensive, which matters if you like a watch that doesn’t just feel like a gadget.
The screen is another highlight. OnePlus upgraded it to 2200 nits peak brightness, so you can read it easily, even in direct sunlight. The display is sharp and smooth. The rotating crown on the side finally works as it should, making scrolling much easier without blocking the screen. Last year, the crown was mainly for looks, but now it’s actually useful.
There was a funny typo on some early units that said “meta in China” instead of “made in China.” My review unit has that, but OnePlus fixed the issue and offered to replace affected models.
The OnePlus Watch 3 is IP68 rated and meets military durability standards. It’s water resistant up to 50 meters, so you can swim, run, cycle, or go rock climbing without worry. It feels sturdy, even though it doesn’t scream “outdoor sports watch.” Hardcore athletes may still prefer Garmin or Coros, but for most people, the health and fitness tracking is more than enough. The data it collects is accurate and detailed. You can view everything through the OHealth app. It keeps things simple by letting you handle watch faces, watch settings, apps, and fitness data all in one place.
Performance is strong thanks to 2 GB of RAM and a dual system architecture, balancing high performance with battery efficiency. The watch runs Wear OS smoothly, and I haven’t noticed any lag or slowdowns. OnePlus promises three years of software support, so you’ll keep getting updates through 2027.
With always on display and all tracking features enabled, I get about four to four and a half days per charge in smart mode. I haven’t tried the low power mode yet, but OnePlus claims it lasts over two weeks. Charging is fast, too. The included charging puck is USB-C, so you can use your own cable, and the 648 mAh battery charges from 0 to 100 percent in less than an hour. That battery is larger than most rivals, including the latest Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch.
The watch isn’t perfect. ECG is disabled in North America. There’s no LTE, so you can’t leave your phone behind if you want to stream music or take calls on a run, but you do get 32 GB of storage for offline music and podcasts. The biggest issue for me is size and comfort. It only comes in one size, and it’s large and heavy—20 to 30 percent heavier than many competitors. The lugs are fixed, so the strap doesn’t pivot, which can make it less comfortable for small wrists like mine. Swapping straps is possible, but it doesn’t help with the bulk.
Despite those drawbacks, if the size fits you, this is the most complete Wear OS watch I’ve tried. The design is sharp, the display is bright and clear, and the battery life leads the pack. Fitness tracking covers most needs unless you’re a serious athlete. At this price, nothing else brings together as many features and as much polish.
If you’re using something else or have a different favorite watch, share your thoughts. I’m always curious to hear what others are using and why. If you enjoyed this write-up, hit like and subscribe so you don’t miss the next one. Thanks for reading!
