Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
After I first reviewed the OnePlus Watch 3, I gave it a strong 4 stars for its unbelievable battery life, refined design (learn: a practical rotating crown), and easy Put on OS 5 efficiency. On the time, it felt like a powerful step ahead for OnePlus within the smartwatch area and an ideal choice for anybody prioritizing battery life. Nonetheless, I additionally famous that the watch was too massive for my wrists. And after just a few months of sporting it, that shortcoming has turn into extra of a deal breaker than I anticipated.
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
The Watch 3’s measurement and weight are undeniably daring. Measuring in at 47mm and a hefty 81g, it makes a big first impression. However that impression hasn’t aged effectively. Since my preliminary assessment, I’ve saved sporting the Watch 3 alongside different wearables to match information and expertise. I examined its battery efficiency towards the Apple Watch Sequence 10 and rocked it alongside the Garmin Venu 3 for an total smartwatch expertise comparability. In each circumstances, I used to be persistently pissed off by how awkward and heavy the OnePlus Watch felt in comparison with the options.
The outsized wearable is uncomfortable with poorly designed lugs.
Throughout runs, the watch bounced noticeably on my wrist and weighed down my arm. Whereas lifting, it felt cumbersome and unbalanced. And in day-to-day put on, it obtained caught in sleeves, clanged towards my standing desk, and ran into my youngster’s head whereas I lay her all the way down to sleep.
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
What irked me over time, although, wasn’t simply the sheer measurement, however the design. Just like the earlier technology, the watch’s lugs are outsized, creating a large hole the place the band meets the case. This prevents the strap from sitting flush towards my pores and skin, amplifying the sensation that the watch by no means fairly settles into place.
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
I do know I’ve smaller-than-average wrists, however the difficulty isn’t restricted to me. A couple of weeks in, I requested my associate to put on the Watch 3 for a day of health monitoring and normal use. He took it on an out of doors run in addition to to a high-intensity sport of final frisbee (or as intense as frisbee can get, I don’t know. I’m not a golden retriever). Regardless of his average-sized wrists, he additionally discovered the match awkward and the lug design irritating. Even with a number of strap changes, the watch by no means sat comfortably. After attempting to sleep with it on, he declared it “completely uncomfortable.”
In comparison with different smartwatches I’ve used, the OnePlus Watch 3’s measurement stands out in all of the improper methods. The Apple Watch Extremely 2 has a big display, but it feels balanced and wearable. Apple’s Sequence lineup, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 collection, and Google’s Pixel Watch 3 line all supply a number of case sizes. If OnePlus desires to remain aggressive, it must comply with go well with.
OnePlus wants to supply a number of case sizes, similar to its opponents do.
To be truthful, OnePlus obtained loads proper. The rotating crown is easy, the AMOLED show is sharp and vibrant, and the software program expertise is snappy. However when a watch is uncomfortable, these strengths don’t matter a lot. Battery life is a standout, but when I’m leaving the watch on the charger simply to keep away from sporting it, that battery benefit turns into irrelevant. Over time, the bodily trade-offs turn into more durable to disregard. I now take the Watch 3 off earlier than mattress as a substitute of utilizing sleep monitoring, or go away it behind throughout exercises in favor of one thing lighter.
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
After all, some customers may very well favor a bigger, extra substantial accent (together with me, normally). A big watch presents a daring look and a display that’s simpler to learn at a look. However a number of measurement choices would go a great distance towards making the Watch 3 accessible to a wider vary of customers. The 47mm case may match for some individuals, however it doesn’t work for me. Furthermore, the watch is in determined want of a revamp in relation to its lugs. Loads of outsized gadgets are far more comfy on-wrist thanks to higher band integration. Because it stands, the OnePlus Watch 3 continues to be a strong system, however its unwieldy measurement makes it impractical for on a regular basis use.
