techmagnifyIn the ever-changing smartwatch landscape, the OnePlus Watch 2 has emerged as a standout competitor with a distinctive feature that sets it apart from the crowd. Priced at $300, this wearable wonder combines a sleek design with an unexpected twist that promises to redefine expectations for battery life in the smartwatch space.
Design and Construction
The OnePlus Watch 2 has a sleek round design, available in black or silver stainless steel. The watch is inspired by the OnePlus 11 and 12 and seamlessly integrates a camera bump into the side rail. The side buttons, including a round button at the top and a rectangular button at the bottom, contribute to a refined aesthetic. With a protective sapphire crystal protecting the 1.4-inch 60Hz AMOLED display, the watch exudes a premium feel. Interchangeable straps, IP68 dust and water resistance, and compliance with US military durability standards further enhance the overall construction.
Miracle of Battery Life
What really sets the OnePlus Watch 2 apart is its claim of an astonishing 100 hours of battery life in Smart mode – the default setting out of the box. In a market where most smartwatches struggle to last a day, this claim seems almost too good to be true. To test it, the watch was compared against an $800 competitor, the Apple Watch Ultra, for four days. Impressively, the OnePlus Watch 2 managed to outlast its high-end counterpart, with 15% battery capacity remaining, demonstrating its exceptional efficiency.
The key to this longer battery life is a unique dual-chip system. While most smartwatches use a single chip with high and low power cores, the OnePlus Watch 2 uses two separate processors and operating systems. The powerful Snapdragon W5, especially for Wear OS 4, can perform intensive tasks such as reading maps and music. At the same time, the energy-efficient BES 2700 chip, which runs RTOS, handles basic functions such as heart rate monitoring, phone calls and notifications. Reminiscent of a hybrid car, this dual-chip system combines responsiveness and autonomy to achieve a remarkable balance.
Performance and Features
The OnePlus Watch 2 not only impresses with its battery life, but also with its responsive performance. The Snapdragon W5 ensures smooth operation during demanding tasks, while the RTOS seamlessly manages background processes. The watch includes a variety of watch faces, custom workouts, and precise tracking capabilities. In particular, the ‘hold until complete’ training feature adds a useful touch, preventing accidental stops during activities.
Oddities and Considerations
Despite its strengths, the OnePlus Watch 2 has a few quirks worth mentioning. While the always-on display is not a default setting, it can be turned off to further extend battery life. The rotating crown button, while aesthetic, serves no purpose. The delay in checking notifications and the slightly disappointing haptics could be drawbacks for some users. Additionally, iPhone compatibility is absent and the charger, while effective, lacks the sleekness of other high-end offerings.
Conclusion
In a market saturated with smartwatch gadgets, the OnePlus Watch 2 stands out as the hybrid wonder with a surprising twist. With the combination of a dual-chip system, exceptional battery life and a reasonable price of $300, OnePlus has managed to deliver a compelling smartwatch. It remains to be seen whether the hybrid system and longer battery life will be enough to convince consumers, or whether other quirks will be decisive. Nevertheless, the OnePlus Watch 2 has certainly solidified the brand’s position in the world of smartwatches.
techmagnify
