OnePlus Watch 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 955: How they stack up for run tracking

The OnePlus Watch 3 isn’t just another smartwatch. It is actually one of the best Wear OS timepieces out there. I’ve put it head-to-head against the Garmin Forerunner 955 during several outdoor runs, and the results genuinely surprised me.

GPS performance is nearly identical

Both watches have dual-band GPS chips, so I expected reasonably good results. What I didn’t expect was just how close the data would be. I tested the devices over five or six outdoor runs, most recently a 5K route through central London. I’ll use that one as an example as it is very representative – the difference between the two came down to just 20 meters over the entire distance.

That’s especially notable given the challenging GPS conditions in a built-up area with tall buildings and narrow streets. The OnePlus Watch 3 acquired satellite lock almost instantly. And that is consistent with my other runs. In some cases, it was even faster than the Garmin. Once connected, both watches deliver consistent and repeatable GPS tracks, without the kind of drift you sometimes see on less capable wearables.

So from a pure distance and route accuracy standpoint, the OnePlus Watch 3 holds its own agains the Garmin.

Heart rate accuracy is better than expected

Garmin has a reputation for solid heart rate accuracy. But I took it a step further and paired my Forerunner with an external strap. That became my reference point.

The OnePlus Watch 3 cannot be paired with an external HR monitor. That’s a limitation, particularly for runners doing interval sessions or structured workouts. But even so, the results were impressive.

For the above mentioned 5K run, both watches reported an average heart rate of 143 bpm. So that was identical. Peak HR was 161 on the OnePlus and 163 on the strap-connected Garmin. A 2 bpm difference at peak is minimal and well within what I’d consider acceptable for wrist-based tracking. Where wrist monitors often struggle is during rapid changes in intensity, and I’ll be testing that more in the days ahead.

For now though, it’s safe to say that OnePlus isn’t cutting corners here.

Software is actually smarter in some areas

Where things start to get more interesting is in the software. Garmin delivers loads of data. The OnePlus Watch 3 also delivers data, but it adds explanations and charts that make it easier to understand what you’re looking at.

For example, with Garmin you might see your vertical oscillation, cadence and stride length. That’s useful, but the OnePlus goes a step further and tells you what your values mean in simple terms. You don’t need to be an expert to understand your running form.

You also get VO2 max, which OnePlus labels as “cardio fitness.” In my tests, the VO2 max was slightly lower than what Garmin estimated. What OnePlus adds are metrics like fat burn analysis and recovery time scoring. These aren’t available on Garmin watches.

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This makes the OnePlus Watch 3 more approachable. You’re not left guessing what a stat means or how it affects your training. Garmin still has the edge when it comes to deeper metrics, but OnePlus is catching up fast in terms of user experience.

Design and feel during runs

In terms of size, the OnePlus Watch 3 is not far off the Garmin Forerunner 955. It is heavier, though. That was noticeable at first, but I didn’t find it a problem during runs. The weight is well-balanced and the device doesn’t move around much. That’s important for accuracy, particularly on smaller wrists like mine.

The AMOLED display is a standout feature. At 1.5 inches and up to 2,200 nits of peak brightness, it’s easy to read in full sunlight. That isn’t something I can always say about my Garmin.

The auto-start feature for workouts also works, though it has a short delay. In my experience, you lose about 200-300 meters before the device recognises a run has begun. Not ideal, but not a huge issue either. It’s probably better than having the watch fire up every time you sprint across the street.

Early verdict after five days of testing

This isn’t my full review. I’ve only had five days with the OnePlus Watch 3. But based on that time, I’m impressed. It’s not just a capable smartwatch. It is starting to cross over into the sports watch category. It’s not a Garmin replacement for hardcore runners, but it’s closer than I expected.

The lack of chest strap support is the biggest drawback. If OnePlus added that, it would open this device up to more serious athletes. Still, for casual to intermediate runners who want smart features and good accuracy, the OnePlus Watch 3 is a serious contender.

Full review coming soon. In the meantime you can check out both devices on OnePlus and Garmin.

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