OnePlus Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Wear OS showdown
When it comes to choosing the right smartwatch, the recent launches from OnePlus and Samsung offer compelling options. In this side-by-side comparison, we’ll dive into the features, design, and functionality of the OnePlus Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. If you are a wear OS timepiece, these are amongst the best.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Let’s explore which of these contenders might be a good fit for your wrist.
Key takeaways
The OnePlus Watch 2 is the champion of battery life and value if those are your top priorities. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series offers unparalleled health tracking and the option for cellular independence. This making them ideal for health-focused users. For those who want a premium smartwatch experience with a classic design, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is the clear choice.
View on Samsung, OnePlus; View on Amazon (Galaxy Watch 6).
Jump to
Hardware
Technical specs
Features
Bottom line
OnePlus Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Hardware
Look & feel
Both the OnePlus and Samsung embrace the classic circular watch shape, so not much difference there. In terms of build materials, the OnePlus Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic opt for a premium feel with stainless steel cases. The Galaxy Watch 6 stands out with its Armor Aluminum construction, aiming for durability while maintaining a lightweight feel.
When it comes to size options, the OnePlus Watch 2 is available in a singular dimension, offering simplicity in choice. Samsung, however, provides more variety. The Galaxy Watch 6 available in 44mm and 40mm sizes, and the Classic version in 47mm and 43mm sizes, catering to different wrist sizes and preferences for watch face real estate.
Physical buttons offer a tactile way to interact with your smartwatch. The OnePlus Watch 2 features a rotating crown that doubles as a multi-function button. Plus there’s a flat action button below it. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 includes two standard push buttons for navigation. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic adds the iconic rotating bezel around the display for an additional, intuitive way to navigate the interface.



Display, colour options, water resistance
The screen technology in these watches is cutting-edge. The OnePlus Watch 2 boasts a high-res 1.43-inch AMOLED display. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Classic models feature Super AMOLED displays, with the screen size and resolution varying according to the model.
For those who enjoy water activities, all three smartwatches offer strong water resistance with 5ATM and IP68 ratings. This means they can withstand submersion in water, making them suitable for swimming and showering. No big difference there.
Finally, color options allow you to personalize your smartwatch. The OnePlus Watch 2 comes in Black Steel and Radiant Steel variations, while the Galaxy Watch 6 provides Graphite, Gold (40mm only), and Silver (44mm only) choices. The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic offers a more refined look with Black and Silver colorways.
Sensor technology
Under the hood, these watches pack the standard accelerometer, gyroscope, optical heart rate sensor, and blood oxygen monitoring (SpO2). Each device also includes a geomagnetic sensor and light sensor for ambient light adjustments, as well as a barometer to track altitude changes.
However, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic distinguish themselves with the inclusion of a temperature sensor. This has applications in cycle tracking and more accurate sleep monitoring. Additionally, Samsung’s BioActive Sensor combines three health sensors (optical heart rate, electrical heart signal, and bioelectrical impedance analysis) for features like ECG monitoring and body composition analysis. Plus there’s the ability to track blood pressure (requiring initial calibration with a traditional cuff).
For positioning, the OnePlus Watch 2 excels with dual-frequency GPS, offering the potential for more precise location tracking. All three models support the standard GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and Beidou satellite systems.
They also come with NFC for contactless payments, and onboard storage for music so you can leave your phone behind during workouts. Here, the OnePlus Watch 2 pulls ahead again. It offers a generous 32GB of storage, double the capacity of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series.
Battery life
The OnePlus Watch 2, with its innovative Dual-Engine Architecture, offers an impressive battery life. It lasts up to 100 hours in smart mode with the always-on display (AOD) turned off. For users with heavy usage, the watch can still provide up to 48 hours of service. In power saver mode, it extends its longevity to an astonishing 12 days. This remarkable battery performance is complemented by the inclusion of 7.5W VOOC Fast Charging, allowing its 500mAh battery to be fully charged in just 60 minutes, ensuring that users are always ready to go without lengthy downtime.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series offers up to 40 hours of battery life without the AOD function and up to 30 hours with AOD enabled. This series introduces 10W fast charging. It provides a quick boost that can deliver an additional eight hours of battery life with just an 8-minute charge, sufficient for a full night of sleep tracking. Both the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are equipped with either 300mAh or 425mAh batteries, depending on the model size, which represents a significant upgrade from the previous generation.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Technical specs
Here’s a comprehensive tech specs comparison table for the OnePlus Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 devices.
Feature | OnePlus Watch 2 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic |
---|---|---|---|
Release Date | Feb-24 | Jul-23 | Jul-23 |
Case Material | Stainless steel case, Plastic bottom, 2.5D Sapphire Crystal cover plate, Fluororubber strap | Armor Aluminum case with Sport Band, Sapphire Crystal display | Stainless Steel case with Hybrid Eco-Leather Band |
Number of Physical Buttons | Rotating crown that serves as a multi-function button + flat button below that is an action button | 2 | 2 + rotating bezel |
Shape | Round | Round | Round |
Size | 47 x 46.6 x 12.1 mm | 44mm: 42.8 x 44.4 x 9.0 mm; 40mm: 38.8 x 40.4 x 9.0 mm | 47mm: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm; 43mm: 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9 mm |
Display Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels | 44mm (480 x 480 pixels); 40mm (432 x 432 pixels) | 47mm (480 x 480 pixels); 43mm (432 x 432 pixels) |
Screen Size | 1.43 inch | 44mm (1.5 inch); 40mm (1.3 inch) | 47mm (1.5 inch); 43mm (1.3 inch) |
Weight (without strap) | 49 grams without wrist strap, 80 grams with wrist strap | 44mm: 33.3 grams; 40mm: 28.7 grams | 47mm: 59 grams; 43mm: 52 grams |
Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, optical heart rate sensor, optical pulse oximeter, geomagnetic sensor, light sensor, barometer | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, 3D Hall sensor |
Water-resistance | 5 ATM, IP68, MIL-STD-810H | 5 ATM + IP68 | 5 ATM + IP68 |
Positioning | Dual Frequency L1+L5 (Beidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS) | GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Beidou | GPS, Galileo, Glonass, Beidou |
Built-in Speaker | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Microphone | Yes | Yes | Yes |
NFC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Music Storage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Connection | Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 5G/2.4G, support 802.11 a/b/g/n | LTE, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz | LTE, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz |
Cellular Connectivity | No | Yes | Yes |
Battery Type | 500 mAh | 44mm (425 mAh); 40mm (300 mAh) | 43mm: 300mAh, 47mm: 425mAh |
Battery Life | up to 100 hours in smart mode (AOD display turned off), heavy use – up to 48 hours, power saver mode – up to 12 days, 60 minutes for 100% charge, 10 minutes of charging for 24 hours of power | up to 40 hours of battery life without the Always On Display (AOD) function, and up to 30 hours with AOD enabled | up to 40 hours of battery life without the Always On Display (AOD) function, and up to 30 hours with AOD enabled |
Operating System | Wear OS 4 + RTOS | WearOS 4 with One UI 5 Watch interface layered on top | WearOS 4 with One UI 5 Watch interface layered on top |
Storage Capacity | 32GB storage, 2GB RAM | 16GB storage, 2GB RAM | 16GB storage, 2GB RAM |
Processor | Dual-engine architecture: Snapdragon W6 + BES 2700 (enables switching between Wear OS 4 and RTOS) | Exynos W930 | Exynos W930 |
Colors | Black Steel, Radiant Steel | Graphite, Gold (40mm only), Silver (44mm only) | Black, Silver |
Typical RRP | $300 | $300 and up | $450 and up |
OnePlus Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Features
The OnePlus Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series offer the core suite of features you’d expect. This includes continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, step counting, and automatic workout detection. Where things get interesting is in the advanced capabilities.
Samsung takes the lead with the ability to track blood pressure (requiring initial calibration with a traditional cuff), body composition analysis, and temperature monitoring. The temperature sensor is particularly useful for cycle tracking and enhancing the accuracy of sleep monitoring. Additionally, the Samsung BioActive sensor enables ECG readings, offering further insights into your heart health.
For serious athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, the OnePlus Watch 2 might hold an edge with its potential for enhanced workout tracking accuracy thanks to its dual-frequency GPS. All three boast a wide array of supported workout modes, letting you track everything from running and cycling to swimming and yoga.
Smartwatch-type features
When it comes to smartwatch-type features, both the OnePlus Watch 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series excel, offering a range of functionalities that extend beyond health and fitness. Both watches run on Google’s Wear OS. The system provides access to a plethora of apps, notifications, and more, directly from the wrist. This includes popular Google services such as Maps, Assistant, and Wallet. The OnePlus Watch 2, with its dual-engine architecture, promises a smooth and responsive user experience, allowing for efficient switching between high-performance tasks and low-power operations, thereby optimizing battery life.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series, with its LTE connectivity option. It stands out by offering users the ability to make calls, send texts, and use data independently of a smartphone. T
Compatibility is also important to mention. OnePlus Watch 2 only supports smartphones with Android 8.0 or later. iOS and Android (Go edition) devices are not supported. Unlike its predecessors, the Galaxy Watch 6 is not compatible with the iPhone. It best works with a Samsung phone, although the series will work with other Android phones.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Price
Pricing sets these three smartwatches apart. The OnePlus Watch 2 aims to be the most budget-conscious option with a typical starting price around $300. This undercuts the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series, which often starts at a similar price point but can quickly increase depending on size and connectivity options. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic commands the highest price. It typically starts around $450, reflecting its premium build materials and inclusion of the rotating bezel.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: Final thoughts
Each of these smartwatches brings something unique to the table. The OnePlus Watch 2 stands out with its impressive battery life, generous storage, and attractive price point. If marathon battery life (for a wear OS watch) and value for money are your top priorities, the OnePlus Watch 2 is a fantastic choice.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic excel in the realm of advanced health tracking. With their temperature sensor, blood pressure monitoring, ECG capabilities, and body composition analysis, they offer the most comprehensive suite of health features.
Buy the OnePlus Watch 2 if:
- You prioritize long stretches between charges without sacrificing features.
- You want ample storage for music and apps.
- You’re looking for the best value for your budget.
Buy a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series device if:
- You place a high value on detailed health tracking and insights.
- You want the flexibility of leaving your phone behind with optional cellular connectivity.
The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic adds a touch of classic elegance with its stainless steel build and rotating bezel. Buy that one if you also appreciate premium design and a traditional watch feel.
View on Samsung, OnePlus; View on Amazon (Galaxy Watch 6).
You may also be interested in:
Mobvoi TicWatch 5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
Google Pixel Watch 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Whoop 4.0 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!