OnePlus has discovered a singular area of interest within the smartphone enterprise with a venerable lineup of spectacular Android telephones. Whereas OnePlus has sometimes stumbled, for essentially the most half, it has produced a persistently sturdy smartphone lineup.
Nonetheless, the identical can’t be stated of its try to interrupt into the smartwatch market. The unique OnePlus Watch launched in 2021 was a daring try at longevity and fashionable design that fell flat in too many different areas to make it even a marginal success.
After practically three years of silence, OnePlus lately returned with a second try: the OnePlus Watch 2. The brand new mannequin appears to retain the identical priorities as its predecessor — top-notch design and lengthy battery life — however tries to fill within the lacking items by adopting Put on OS 4.
OnePlus is clearly hoping that the second time can be a attraction, however can the OnePlus Watch 2 compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6, which has change into the usual towards which practically each different Android smartwatch is measured? Let’s discover out.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: specs
OnePlus Watch 2 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | |
Show dimension | 1.43 inches | 40mm: 1.3 inches
44mm: 1.53 inches |
Physique dimension | 47mm | 40mm
44mm |
Weight | 49 grams | 40mm: 28.7 grams
44mm: 33.3 grams |
Decision in pixels | 466 x 466 (326 pixels per inch) | 40mm: 432 x 432 (453 ppi)
44mm: 480 x 480 (453 ppi) |
Touchscreen | AMOLED | Tremendous AMOLED, always-on show |
Storage | 32GB | 16GB |
Wi-fi interface | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n dual-band, NFC | Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band, NFC, LTE |
Depth | 13.65mm | 0.35 inches (9mm) |
Blood oxygen sensor |
Sure | Sure |
Accelerometer | Sure | Sure |
Gyroscope | Sure | Sure |
Ambient gentle sensor | Sure | Sure |
Coronary heart charge sensor | Sure | Sure |
Barometer | Sure | Sure |
GPS | Twin Frequency L1+L5 | Single Frequency L1 |
Compass | Sure | Sure |
Water/mud resistant | MIL-STD-810H, 5ATM, IP68 | MIL-STD-810H, 5ATM, IP68 |
Battery life | As much as 100 hours in Sensible Mode; as much as 12 days in Energy Saver mode | As much as 24 hours |
Worth | From $300 | From $300 |
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: design
If there’s one factor that stands out concerning the OnePlus Watch 2, it’s the design. OnePlus has hit the fitting notes in producing a smartwatch that appears “good” within the trend sense moderately than merely the technological one.
The chrome steel physique and sapphire crystal give the OnePlus wearable each aptitude and sturdiness. The Radiant Metal model is polished and glossy, whereas the Black Metal is darker and barely extra matte with out shedding its reflectivity.
This provides as much as a noticeably classier look in comparison with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6, which, though it includes a very related design, has a extra utilitarian aesthetic with its matte aluminum end. There’s additionally a rotating crown right here to contribute to that look, however sadly, it’s nearly totally ornamental. In an altogether baffling design choice, OnePlus selected to make it spin with out truly having it do something, making it little greater than a decorative button.
Whereas the chrome steel design of the OnePlus Watch 2 makes it heavier (it weighs 49 grams with out the strap in comparison with the 33 grams of Samsung’s largest Watch 6 mannequin), we didn’t discover these further 16 grams made a noticeable distinction in consolation, even when sporting the OnePlus Watch 2 to mattress each evening. OnePlus has additionally managed to maintain its weight down in comparison with different chrome steel wearables — it’s 10 grams lower than the equally sized chrome steel Galaxy Watch 6 Traditional.
It’s additionally value retaining in thoughts that your selection of watch band might make extra of a distinction right here. OnePlus’ commonplace band provides 31 grams, bringing the full weight to 80 grams, whereas Samsung’s commonplace Galaxy Watch 6 sport band weighs 23 grams, relying on dimension, and its light-weight material band is just below 10 grams.
You’ll have loads of choices to select from if you wish to change up your strap, as each the OnePlus Watch 2 and Galaxy Watch 6 characteristic detachable band methods. Though the recognition of Samsung’s smartwatches signifies that you’ll discover extra watch bands promoting Watch 6 compatibility, the OnePlus Watch 2 options a normal 22mm quick-release mechanism, making it suitable with bands made for the Galaxy Watch 3 and others that use the 22mm attachment.
The OnePlus Watch 2 and Galaxy Watch 6 are evenly matched relating to ruggedness. Each characteristic a military-grade MIL-STD-810H sturdiness score and 5 ATM and IP68 mud and water resistance. Meaning both will survive immersion in as much as 1.5 meters of recent water for as much as half-hour or 50 meters for as much as 10 minutes. Each additionally characteristic shows constructed from sapphire glass that needs to be extremely proof against scratches.
Anybody used to different smartwatch platforms might discover the nonfunctional rotating crown a irritating omission, however the OnePlus Watch 2 will get so many different issues proper with its design that it might be value residing with that little little bit of weirdness. It seems nice whereas being shockingly light-weight and comfy given its dimension and use of chrome steel supplies. Nonetheless, that’s to not say that the Galaxy Watch 6 doesn’t stand out in its personal proper. For one factor, you’ve gotten two sizes to select from, and we predict many of us will admire the subtler aesthetic. The choice between these two is a completely subjective one, so we now have to name it a tie.
Winner: Tie
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: show
The OnePlus Watch 2 packs in a 1.43-inch AMOLED panel with a decision of 466 x 466. That works out to a density of 326 pixels per inch (ppi), and despite the fact that that falls in need of Samsung’s 453 ppi, OnePlus nonetheless manages to maintain all the things trying remarkably crisp and vibrant.
Nonetheless, Samsung nonetheless edges it out not solely in pixel density, but in addition in brightness: the Galaxy Watch 6 can now hit 2,000 nits in comparison with 600 on the OnePlus Watch 2. That’s a big distinction on paper, nevertheless it’s value mentioning that we by no means had a difficulty seeing the OnePlus Watch 2 outdoor in shiny daylight. The Galaxy Watch 6 might do higher when the solar is bearing proper down on it, however the OnePlus Watch 2 isn’t any slouch.
The Galaxy Watch 6 additionally gives a barely bigger display screen in a smaller casing because of thinner bezels; the 44mm mannequin includes a 1.53-inch display screen, whereas the display screen on the 40mm mannequin measures 1.3 inches, and each characteristic the identical larger pixel density.
These are small variations, and we don’t suppose anyone can be dissatisfied with the show on the OnePlus Watch 2, however the Galaxy Watch 6 nonetheless edges it out with its brighter display screen and higher use of area on the frontage.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 6
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: efficiency
The OnePlus Watch 2 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip, so it’s no shock that it gives buttery-smooth efficiency, from opening apps to navigating via menus and tiles.
We might have favored to have seen Samsung undertake Qualcomm’s platform for the Galaxy Watch 6, however sadly, the corporate has caught with its personal in-house Exynos W930. That’s a dual-core chip with a clock velocity of 1.4GHz, nevertheless it nonetheless falls in need of the W5’s quad-core 1.7GHz configuration.
That’s to not say the Galaxy Watch 6 performs poorly — we’ve by no means felt that it lags or struggles to maintain up with us when opening apps or scrolling — nevertheless it’s unquestionably a bit extra sluggish than different top-tier smartwatches.
Samsung might have shied away from the Snapdragon W5 for the sake of power effectivity, however OnePlus took a extra inventive strategy to that downside. As a substitute of saddling its wearable with a much less highly effective chip, it added a BES 2700 effectivity co-processor to deal with on a regular basis duties, reserving the W5 for under these duties that want the additional efficiency. It really works so effectively that you just’ll do not know when it’s switching chips behind the scenes, and it permits the OnePlus Watch 2 to ship unimaginable battery life with out compromising efficiency. We’ll speak extra about that later.
Winner: OnePlus Watch 2
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: software program and options
The OnePlus Watch 2 has been a refreshing change from its predecessor, because it has principally ditched the proprietary RTOS working system and becoming a member of the brotherhood of Put on OS smartwatches.
Particularly, the OnePlus Watch 2 runs Put on OS 4, and it runs just about like some other smartwatch in that regard. Sadly, OnePlus’ implementation isn’t with out its quirks, not the least of which is the awkwardly ineffective rotating crown we talked about earlier. Navigating the OnePlus Watch 2 would require you to resort to swiping on the touchscreen to get round. You continue to must press the crown button to view all of your apps, however rotating it doesn’t do what you would possibly anticipate, which is to say, something in any respect.
OnePlus has added a few of its personal tweaks to Put on OS 4, though it doesn’t go as far as to name it a unique pores and skin the way in which Samsung does with One UI 5.0. As a substitute, you get smaller tweaks, a lot of which really feel like they have been impressed by Apple’s watchOS. OnePlus additionally has a group of watch faces, however none of them are something to put in writing house about, which looks like an enormous miss contemplating the wearable’s excellent {hardware} design.
We additionally discovered components of the expertise to be a bit glitchy, encountering issues like unreliable notifications. That’s an issue we’ve additionally encountered on different Put on OS units, so it’s onerous to level the finger an excessive amount of at OnePlus right here. Nonetheless, Samsung has managed to get it proper on the Galaxy Watch 6, the place notifications have confirmed dependable in our testing and are additionally extra configurable because of One UI.
Though the OnePlus Watch 2 primarily runs Put on OS, the corporate hasn’t eradicated RTOS from the combination. As a substitute, it cleverly makes use of the extra environment friendly, however restricted OS to offer a Energy Saver mode that lets it sip battery life. RTOS has been seamlessly built-in into the system in such a manner that you just gained’t discover a lot of a distinction; enabling Energy Saver doesn’t change the consumer interface, and the entire built-in capabilities like well being and health, climate, alarms, timers, and notifications will proceed to work. Nonetheless, since Put on OS is shut down in that mode, you gained’t get to run Put on OS apps or name up Google Assistant. The always-on show can be disabled, however we suspect that’s extra about saving energy than a limitation of RTOS in comparison with Put on OS.
The Galaxy Watch 6 does have one different trick up its sleeve: It gives a 4G/LTE model for individuals who need to keep related even once they depart their cellphone behind. The OnePlus Watch 2 doesn’t supply a mobile model, so if that’s vital to you, the Galaxy Watch 6 can be your solely selection.
This one is a better race. OnePlus has carried out some attention-grabbing issues right here and scores a couple of factors for its intelligent use of Put on OS and RTOS collectively. Nonetheless, it additionally has a couple of quirks that make it really feel like a first-generation implementation. Whereas we’re optimistic that OnePlus will get there, Samsung’s extra mature and established One UI 5.0 offers the Galaxy Watch 6 a significant edge for these on the lookout for a extra polished consumer expertise.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 6
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: battery life and charging
OnePlus’ telephones have all the time been leaders relating to battery life and charging efficiency, and as we’ve already touched on in earlier sections, the corporate has introduced a few of those self same qualities to its second-generation wearable.
The OnePlus Watch 2 packs in a 500mAh battery that boasts as much as 100 hours of battery life in “Sensible Mode.” The corporate describes this as utilizing an formally supported watch face with the always-on show turned off, the default well being monitoring configuration, a persistent Bluetooth cell phone reference to lower than one hour per day of standalone Wi-Fi utilization, 6.5 hours of sleep monitoring per evening, half-hour of out of doors working per day, 130 notifications, 5 minutes of Bluetooth calling, and quarter-hour of headset listening on Spotify per day.
Aside from leaving the always-on show off, that’s a fairly beneficiant utilization mannequin. Whereas 100 hours between expenses appears unbelievable, it may not be far off. In sensible phrases, most folk ought to simply be capable to get three full days of battery life with out disabling the always-on show.
In our testing, the OnePlus Watch 2 nonetheless had 13% battery life after greater than 61 hours of fixed use, together with in a single day sleep monitoring, out of doors walks, and a gentle stream of notifications, all with the always-on show enabled the entire time.
For some context, OnePlus additionally lists a “heavy use” mannequin that guarantees 48 hours of battery life. This contains leaving the always-on show enabled and working with a third-party watch face that requires the extra power-hungry Snapdragon W5 efficiency chipset to be engaged. This additionally elements in two hours per day of Wi-Fi utilization, plus extra notifications, elevated display screen time, half-hour per day of out of doors working with the GPS enabled, and half-hour of listening to Spotify over Bluetooth.
In both case, that’s unimaginable battery life by Put on OS requirements. Nonetheless, OnePlus has taken issues one step additional with a Energy Saver mode that guarantees as much as 12 days between expenses. As we talked about earlier, this mode switches off the Put on OS options, so that you’ll solely be capable to use the built-in apps. Nonetheless, you possibly can nonetheless use it for 90 minutes of out of doors train per week and proceed to obtain alarms, calls, and notifications in your wrist.
Though Samsung improved the battery lifetime of the Galaxy Watch 6 over its predecessor, it nonetheless can’t maintain a candle to what OnePlus is providing right here. Samsung guarantees 40 to 50 hours of use per cost, however in our expertise, you’ll possible must hit the charger after two full days should you use the sleep-tracking options. You’ll be able to squeeze a bit extra out of the Galaxy Watch 6 by turning off higher-power options just like the always-on show, however there’s no equal to OnePlus’ Energy Saver mode right here.
Each watches are extra on par relating to charging. The OnePlus Watch 2 options 7.5-watt quick charging that may ship 24 hours of energy after a 10-minute cost and high it as much as 100% in 60 minutes. We discovered it might go from 13% to 75% in about 20 minutes. The charging puck additionally has a considerate design, with a removable USB-C cable that makes it a lot nicer for vacationers.
By comparability, the Galaxy Watch 6 makes use of a 10-watt charger that doesn’t noticeably cost the wearable quicker. You’ll stand up to 45% after about half-hour, nevertheless it takes a little bit over an hour to succeed in a full cost.
Mainly, you’ll be capable to cost up each watches in about the identical period of time, however the excellent battery life on the OnePlus Watch 2 means you gained’t must it practically as typically.
Winner: OnePlus Watch 2
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: health and well being monitoring
If there’s one space the OnePlus Watch 2 actually falls behind towards its opponents it’s within the well being and health options. Though the wearable gives all of the instruments you’d anticipate — together with coronary heart charge and exercise monitoring, stress monitoring, sleep monitoring, and even a blood oxygen sensor — we discovered that it suffers from some probably severe inaccuracies and some different odd quirks.
The well being options work effectively sufficient at a fundamental degree, with a Each day Exercise app on the Watch 2 joined by OnePlus’ OHealth app in your smartphone. Checking information and beginning exercises is intuitive, and a few kinds of exercises even supply custom-made views that can assist you hold an in depth eye on the suitable metrics.
The well being apps don’t supply a lot in the way in which of frills. You gained’t see awards, challenges, guided meditations, or social options, however they get the job carried out — or no less than they need to.
The issue is that our testing confirmed the numbers for step and sleep monitoring to be woefully inaccurate in comparison with these measured by different good units. Steps have been off by 3,000 to 4,000 in comparison with what an Oura Ring recorded, and sleep phases have been equally manner off, with the OnePlus Watch 2 barely recording “awake” time in any respect and considerably overstating gentle and REM sleep durations. That gained’t be a deal breaker for folk who similar to to have a common really feel for these numbers, nevertheless it’s a significant issue for individuals who choose accuracy of their good units.
The Each day Exercise app on the OnePlus Watch 2 additionally gives a bizarre metric the place it’s attempting to measure one thing in relation to portions of meals (e.g., 1.8 lattes or 1.1 items of fried hen), nevertheless it’s not clear precisely what it’s attempting to say, and a few people would possibly even discover it a bit off-putting. We definitely did.
That is the place Samsung reveals its longer and extra refined well being expertise with the Galaxy Watch 6. Samsung’s Well being platform not solely gives extra correct metrics, but in addition options Superior Sleep Teaching and Personalised Coronary heart Fee Zones to assist enhance your well being and health.
These be part of Samsung’s in depth assortment of long-running well being options like coronary heart charge monitoring, computerized exercise detection, cycle monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, and an ECG app. Plus, the Bioelectrical Impedance Evaluation (BIA) and temperature sensors can monitor your physique’s muscle composition, water share, physique temperature, and extra.
In reality, the Galaxy Watch 6 packs in so many various well being options that it may be a bit intimidating. However all the things works as a seamless package deal, and it’s straightforward to tailor to your particular wants. The one actual draw back is that Samsung throws plenty of data at you, however doesn’t do an awesome job of explaining what any of it means, leaving these of us who aren’t medical professionals or health specialists to do our personal analysis.
The actually excellent news right here is that each OnePlus and Samsung supply their well being options at no cost, with no annoying subscriptions required. We expect “free” is the fitting worth for what the OnePlus Watch 2 gives, however you’re positively getting an awesome cope with all the things that Samsung Well being is able to on the Galaxy Watch 6.
Winner: Galaxy Watch 6
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: worth and availability
The OnePlus Watch 2 may be bought for $300 from Amazon or straight from the OnePlus web site. When ordering from OnePlus, you will get a reduction of $50 or extra by buying and selling in any watch — not only a smartwatch — in any situation. The OnePlus Watch 2 is available in Radiant Metal with a inexperienced/blue watch band or Black Metal with a black watch band.
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 begins on the similar $300 worth for the 40mm mannequin or $330 for the 44mm mannequin. Including 4G/LTE connectivity will add $50 to every of these costs. Not like the OnePlus Watch 2, you’ll be capable to discover the Galaxy Watch 6 at most main retailers, each on-line and offline, although you’re extra possible to have the ability to decide up the 4G/LTE variations out of your service (presumably on a promo).
Shade choices are a bit trickier with the Galaxy Watch 6, as graphite is the one coloration obtainable in each sizes. Those that choose gold must go for the 40mm Watch 6, whereas silver is unique to the 44mm model. The Galaxy Watch 6 is packaged with an identical sport band at most retailers, though a number of band choices can be found when ordering straight from Samsung.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: verdict
As we famous in our assessment, the OnePlus Watch 2 is a wierd combined bag of nice successes and perplexing shortcomings. It was a tricky smartwatch to assessment, and it’s a fair tougher one to suggest.
There’s a stable listing of issues that OnePlus bought proper right here, together with a superb design with premium supplies, insanely nice battery life, and top-tier efficiency. Which may be a brief listing, nevertheless it’s a powerful one.
Then again, it falls quick in so many different areas, together with weak and inaccurate well being options, barely quirky software program, and a poor assortment of watch faces. The non-functioning crown might not sound like a significant issue by itself, nevertheless it makes your entire consumer expertise really feel just a bit off.
Like OnePlus’ smartphone lineup, maybe the OnePlus Watch 2 needs to be seen as catering to a selected kind of “fanatic” buyer. On this case, that may be somebody who values fashion and lengthy battery life over well being and health options. If that’s you, the OnePlus Watch 2 isn’t a foul solution to spend $300, so long as you’re going into it along with your eyes open.
Nonetheless, we predict most folk can be much better served by the Galaxy Watch 6. Samsung’s One UI software program platform has had time to get far more mature and polished, and whereas its designs could also be extra pedestrian, they’re nonetheless fashionable, and also you get two completely different sizes to select from. Samsung’s Well being options are miles forward of what OnePlus is providing, and the battery life is greater than enough for most folk.
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