OnePlus Watch 3 surfaces with upgraded battery and connectivity
It hasn’t been even a year since the launch of OnePlus Watch 2, but it seems its successor is in the making. A new model, identified as OPWWE251, has appeared in FCC filings. This may be Watch 3, or an interim variant.
Maintaining a circular design, the upcoming device measures 47.6 x 46.6 x 11.75 mm—slightly thinner than the Watch 2, though the difference is negligible. A more notable improvement is its larger 648 mAh battery, a 29.6% increase over its predecessor. That’s quite a big jump.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth, GNSS, NFC, and Wi-Fi 4, ensuring robust support for modern use cases. Beyond this, there is not much that can be gathered from the available documentation.
When the device could launch is anyone’s guess. A possibility is January 2025 alongside the OnePlus 13.
Revisiting the OnePlus Watch 2
The OnePlus Watch 2, introduced at MWC 2024, marked a strong evolution from the brand’s first smartwatch. Unlike its buggy predecessor it established OnePlus as a serious contender in the Wear OS space.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
The Watch 2 features a durable stainless steel frame paired with a sapphire crystal cover, housing a sharp 1.43-inch AMOLED display. Its design is both premium and practical, offering excellent visibility and a customizable look through interchangeable straps. Under the hood, the dual-engine architecture balances power and efficiency. A Snapdragon W5 chipset handles demanding tasks, while a secondary MCU chip ensures minimal energy usage for simpler functions. With up to 100 hours of battery life, this is one of the longer-lasting wearOS watches out there.
Now, this new device could be an interim version rather than a full generation leap. Perhaps a Pro or a Sports version of the vanilla variant. Considering the device will be thinner than the current version, it is unlikely to be a rugged variant.
There has already been one interim version in the past few months – the OnePlus Watch 2R. This is a more budget-friendly take on the existing model, rather than a new high-end offering. At around $240, it retails for less than the $299 of its sibling. Most of the cost savings have been achieved by simplifying the design. Rather than the lopsided casing, the company has opted for a more standard circular shape. Also, instead of stainless steel, the 2R has an aluminum build.
What the Watch 3 could offer
The OnePlus Watch 2 has earned praise for its sleek design, sturdy build, and smooth Wear OS experience. It strikes a great balance between style and functionality. For everyday wear and fitness tracking, it does a solid job. But even with its strong points, there’s room for improvement.
One of the biggest drawbacks is that it only comes in a single size, which won’t work for everyone. It also doesn’t have a cellular option, so you’ll need to keep your phone nearby to get the most out of it. When it comes to health tracking, it’s missing a few key features like ECG, body temperature sensors, fall detection, and period tracking, which competitors offer. And while the basics are covered, it lacks extras like phone camera controls that could make it even more useful. Fixing these gaps could make the next version of the watch a much more complete package.
Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!
