I am all the time on the lookout for higher battery life in my smartwatches. I anticipate weeks of life in a health watch, however OnePlus impressed me final yr with the OnePlus Watch 2R by delivering 3–4 days and the total Put on OS expertise with Assistant. It slipped beneath the radar for a lot of Android followers, however its deal value now makes it price a re-examination.
The OnePlus Watch 2R usually prices $229 — already worth — however drops all the way down to $179 on OnePlus’s web site with the low cost code “JUNE25.” It is not that less expensive than the Galaxy Watch 7 at $199, to be honest, however some Android followers ought to significantly contemplate my dark-horse favourite watch from final yr.
For about half the value of the upgraded OnePlus Watch 3, you get the identical efficiency as most different Put on OS watches, however paired with 500mAh capability and OnePlus’s distinctive coprocessor that is extra environment friendly at operating background duties. My Galaxy Watch Extremely hits about the identical battery life with 590mAh capability, and it prices and weighs a lot extra.
The OnePlus Watch 2R is on the thick facet for a watch, however because it weighs 22g/0.8oz lower than the OnePlus Watch 3, I do not assume you may thoughts. And I feel you may like its sporty look, with the silver case and 24-hour GMT scale bezel across the show.
Want proof? I held a smartwatch magnificence pageant with my household final Christmas, and the Watch 2R beat the Pixel Watch 3, a number of Galaxy Watches, an Apple Watch, and a few health watches; it solely misplaced to a hybrid watch, which barely counts. For non-techie folks, the Watch 2R makes an impression.
OnePlus Watch 2R or 3?
In the meantime, the OnePlus Watch 3 prices about double the 2R ($349), however you get a number of key {hardware} upgrades like a useful crown, new well being sensors, a brighter show with quicker refresh charges, an additional yr of software program assist, and an upgraded coprocessor.
The draw back is that it is fairly heavy in comparison with the 2R, however OnePlus will launch a smaller Watch 3 43mm on July 8, although we do not know the official value or battery life but. You may save $30 by subscribing to OnePlus’s publication, so assuming the value hasn’t modified, you have to select whether or not $319 for the most effective expertise or $179 for the Watch 2R suits your finances.
Regardless that the Watch 3 43mm can be technically higher, the Watch 2R does not really feel like a compromise in comparison with different manufacturers. It is as a consequence of obtain Put on OS 5 quickly, and almost certainly Gemini with it, so the software program will nonetheless really feel recent. And it will spare you the headache of frequent charging you get with most smartwatches.
OnePlus Watch 2R options
The Galaxy Watch 7 is an efficient various proper now at $199. It is our present choose for finest Android watch, no less than till the Galaxy Watch 8 supplants it, and it will get another yr of assist regardless of arriving the identical yr because the Watch 2R.
However I nonetheless assume some folks will choose the OnePlus Watch 2R possibility, merely for that further effectivity and charging velocity. It will rely on which sort of Android cellphone you will have: Samsung watches have numerous unique options requiring Galaxy telephones, whereas the Watch 2R works seamlessly on any Android model.
You can too go even cheaper with a Galaxy Watch FE or TicWatch Professional 5, each majorly discounted proper now on Amazon. Of the 2, the Professional 5 has comparable efficiency, show high quality, and battery life, however Mobvoi’s sluggish updates and lack of Google Assistant make it slightly tougher to suggest. And Samsung’s Fan Version {hardware} is simply too outdated, in my view. Take a look at your choices, however contemplate the Watch 2R first.
