3 reasons to crack (or not) for the watch that defies the giants

OnePlus continues to invest in the Android connected watches segment and the brand wants to measure itself in Samsung or Google. After a shy first attempt and a second more successful version, OnePlus wants to confirm that he is entering the discussion of references with the Watch 3. This connected watch wants to keep the strengths of the previous model, while erasing the remaining defects. A watch connected to 349 euros with the following technical sheet:

1. Autonomy: Endurance that changes the situation

It is the mass argument of the OnePlus Watch 3, the one who could alone justify the purchase. Forget the anxiety of the battery and the daily recharge ritual that sticks to the skin connected to the Wearos. OnePlus announces up to five days of use in “intelligent” mode and the Watch 3 keeps its promises. Even with sleep monitoring, several sports sessions with GPS and the activated notifications, the watch keeps the distance and reaches the 5 -day bar without difficulty. In intensive use, OnePlus promises up to three days of autonomy and we have almost reached four days by activating all possible options, as well as three activities requesting the GPS.

This tour de force is based on a double strategy, a battery of 631 mAh, more than the Apple Watch Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and an ingenious “bi-motor” architecture. The watch intelligently juggles between a powerful Snapdragon W5 processor for gourmet tasks and a low consumption chip (RTOS) for background operations. The result is final and it takes a little less than an hour to perform a complete recharge. A good performance for this Watch 3 which arrives with its owner cable.

2. A premium design, but a (small) size problem

At first glance, the OnePlus Watch 3 immediately won over. With its stainless steel case, its titanium bezel and its screen protected by an almost inexhaustible sapphire glass, it breathes quality and robustness. Its design, inspired by classic watchmaking, is elegant and its textured rotary crown is pleasant to use to navigate in the menus. Certified MIL-STD-810H, it is designed to withstand the most extreme conditions, from icy temperatures to shocks (-40 ° C to +70 ° C).

This luxurious side allows you to accommodate an OLED screen of 1.5 inch displaying 466 x 466 pixels. A comfortable size that is accompanied by good light which allows the slab to stay readable in full sun … and to adapt perfectly in the dark.

The only real defect is actually already known in advance. With a unique 47 mm case, the watch is massive and heavy, which can make it uncomfortable, even importable, for the finest wrists. Watch 3 has dimensions of 46.6 x 47.6 x 11.75 mm for a weight of 49.7 g, which is perfectly justified by the choice of materials and the desire to make a lasting watch. OnePlus is also aware that this format can displease and prepare the release of a little sister in a more discreet 43 mm format.

3. The gap of the sportsman: a pro GPS, an amateur cardio

For athletes, the OnePlus Watch 3 is a watch with two faces. On the one hand, it excels thanks to its double frequency GPS (L1+L5) of formidable precision. Whether you run in the forest or in an urban environment, the follow -up of your journey is relatively, surpassing many competitors. Obviously, it is necessary to take into account the fact that this is a versatile connected watch, but not particularly dedicated to athletes.

It also shows limitations as soon as you try to push it in its entrenchments with changes in fast rhythms. Its heart rate sensor, although efficient for calm activities such as walking, is more imprecise during intense training or bodybuilding sessions. Watch 3 is struggling to follow the rapid variations in heart rate, displaying late peaks and sometimes erratic data. For an athlete who trains based on heart rate areas, this can be a crippling defect. Add to that the absence of a 4G/LTE version, which prevents leaving your phone at home during an outing, and the table for the demanding sportsman darkens.

How does Wear OS behave on the OnePlus Watch 3?

The OnePlus Watch 3 runs under Wear OS, the Google operating system for connected watches. Its presence is clearly an asset, even if this system with a reputation (justified) to be quite greedy … Which explains why the firm opts for a “bi-motor” architecture. The application ecosystem is as rich as it is varied and we are far from watches that do not allow to install third -party applications.

With the operating system, most of its favorite applications and navigation are found, which mixes gestures and buttons, is effective. In addition to Wear OS 5, OnePlus offers an OHEALTH application to access the main health data collected by Watch 3 or the summary of physical activity. It is also via this app that we can access the watch settings and Ohealth is relatively pleasant. We regret however that the manufacturer does not provide a little more care and offers rough translation errors (“my watch”) which do not make honors with the premium orientation of the watch.

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