OnePlus Watch 2R: The Affordable Alternative with Impressive Features

If you’re searching for a smartwatch that combines style, performance, and excellent battery life without the hefty price tag of an Apple Watch or a Garmin, the OnePlus Watch 2R could be your ideal choice. This smartwatch offers a refreshing change from the usual suspects in the market. Let’s dive into what makes the OnePlus Watch 2R stand out and if it’s worth your consideration.

Key Takeaways

• Design and Display: Sleek, premium feel with a circular AMOLED display.
• Performance: Powered by Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, smooth and responsive.
• Battery Life: Up to 12 days on power saving mode, excellent for extended use.
• Comparison: Competes well against the Apple Watch SE and OnePlus Watch 2.

Design & Display

The OnePlus Watch 2R features a sleek, circular design that distinguishes it from the square-faced competitors like the Apple Watch. Made from aluminum alloy with a silicon strap, it feels light yet durable. Weighing just 59 grams, it’s comfortable for all-day wear.

Its 1.43-inch AMOLED display is bright and clear, boasting 600 nits of default brightness and up to 1,000 nits at peak. This means you can easily read notifications and track your fitness metrics even in direct sunlight. The watch is available in gunmetal gray and forest green, both of which look quite premium.

While it lacks a rotating bezel, it compensates with two functional buttons. These buttons, along with the touchscreen interface, make navigation straightforward and intuitive. The watch’s plastic rear casing is a bit of a letdown but is hidden when worn, and it doesn’t affect the overall premium feel of the watch.

Performance

Performance is where the OnePlus Watch 2R truly excels. It’s equipped with the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor and an additional BEES 2700 chip for power management. This setup ensures smooth operation without lag, a common issue with many smartwatches.

With 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage, the OnePlus Watch 2R can handle your music and app needs efficiently. The watch runs on Wear OS 4, which means you get a fluid user experience akin to what you’d expect from the Apple Watch.

The smartwatch supports over 100 sports modes and includes features like sleep monitoring, stress tracking, and more. All data syncs seamlessly with the O Health app, which is user-friendly and offers a clear overview of your health metrics, fitness records, and device settings.

Battery Life

Battery life is a significant strength of the OnePlus Watch 2R. It offers up to 100 hours of use in smart mode or 48 hours under heavy use. In power-saving mode, you can stretch the battery life to 12 days, making it an excellent choice for extended use without frequent recharging.

During a test, the watch managed to last a full two days of intensive use, including workouts, navigation, and notifications, with 51% battery remaining by midday on the second day. This real-world performance suggests that if you’re not constantly using intensive features, you might even push it to three days of use.

Comparison

OnePlus Watch 2R vs. OnePlus Watch 2

The OnePlus Watch 2 is a more premium version of the 2R, featuring a stainless steel case and a sapphire crystal display. These enhancements make it slightly more robust but also more expensive. The 2R is 25% lighter than the Watch 2, making it a more comfortable option for many users.

OnePlus Watch 2R vs. Apple Watch SE

When compared to the Apple Watch SE, the OnePlus Watch 2R offers similar performance and battery life but with a circular design versus the Apple Watch’s square face. The Apple Watch SE includes fall detection, which the 2R lacks. Additionally, the Apple Watch SE integrates seamlessly with iOS devices and uses Siri for voice commands, whereas the OnePlus Watch 2R uses Google Assistant, which many find more versatile.

Conclusion

The OnePlus Watch 2R is a compelling alternative for those who want a high-quality smartwatch without the high price tag of an Apple Watch or Garmin. It provides a sleek design, solid performance, and impressive battery life, making it a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their smartwatch game.

At £249, it’s priced competitively and often available with discounts when paired with OnePlus smartphones. If you’re in the market for a new smartwatch and are not tied to the Apple ecosystem, the OnePlus Watch 2R is definitely worth considering. Its combination of features, design, and value for money make it a standout option in today’s smartwatch landscape.