I used the OnePlus Watch 3 in 47mm & 43mm, more than size sets them apart

A few months after launching the 47mm Watch 3, OnePlus has added a second option to the mix. The new 43mm model brings the same core design and software experience, but trims down in size and weight.

I’ve posted my full-hands on review of the 47mm version, so make sure you read that. In a few days I’ll post my review of the 43mm model. What follows is an overview on the differences I’ve noticed between the two versions. As the title of this article implies, its more than the size that sets them apart.

Design and comfort are the biggest visible difference

Let’s start with the obvious. I’ve worn both, and the 43mm model is definitely something for those with slender wrists – it is more of a unisex device. It’s smaller across the board, lighter on the wrist and looks a bit more conventional. The 47mm model is rugged and masculine in appearance. More sporty. Something that can take a beating.

The titanium bezel from the original is gone, and so is the sapphire glass. But the materials are still decent for the price. You’ve got stainless steel, a fluororubber strap and a 2.5D glass front on both.

You lose a bit of screen real estate too. The 47mm version has a 1.5-inch AMOLED, while the 43mm drops to 1.32 inches. Brightness dips from 2200 nits to 1000 nits. But unless you’re comparing them side by side outdoors, it doesn’t make a huge amount of difference.

Same performance, same platform

There’s no difference in processor or memory. Both models run Wear OS 5 paired with RTOS, using the Snapdragon W5 chip and BES2800BP co-processor. RAM and storage are identical too, with 2GB and 32GB respectively.

In actual use, everything feels the same. Apps open quickly, scrolling is fluid, and both watches handle third-party apps and notifications well. You’re not compromising on smarts by going smaller. The button layout is the same, letting you navigate the menus via the fully functional crown or the flat button under it. Of course, you can also do this via the touchscreen.

Connectivity is also unchanged. Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi, NFC and dual-frequency GPS all make the cut. Calls, streaming music and contactless payments work the same across both versions. Microphone and speaker setups are matched.

Battery life depends on how you use it

The bigger watch packs in a 500 mAh cell, which helps it last up to five days in smart mode or 16 in power saver. The smaller one has a 345 mAh battery, rated for around 60 hours in standard use and up to 7 days in power saver. With heavy use, you’re looking at closer to three days on the 47mm, and about a day and a half on the 43mm.

That’s a difference that you notice after a few days. You will definitely be charging the 43mm version more often.

The good news is that with both, you get fast charging. OnePlus claims a full day of use from 10 minutes plugged in, and that’s been accurate in testing.

Health tracking is where features start to split

This is where the gap between the two models continues. The 47mm Watch 3 has a few tools that are simply not available on the smaller version. That includes ECG, temperature sensing, and the Vascular Health app. It also gets the 60h Health Checkup, which uses continuous background monitoring to track trends over a longer period.

The 43mm Watch 3 skips all of these. For some people, that won’t matter. Let’s be honest – how often do people use the ECG sensor. You’ll probably take one or two readings, and then forget about it.

You still get the core sensors: heart rate, SpO2, barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer and ambient light sensor. Fall detection is supported too. Daily use doesn’t feel stripped down.

Both watches support 100+ workout modes and 11 “pro” sports modes. Sleep tracking is also there, including sleep score, snoring detection and breathing quality. Heart rate alerts and the Mind and Body app are shared too.

But if you care about temperature trends or cardiovascular insights, the smaller version might feel like a step too far. There’s no mention of those missing features being added via update either, so this looks like a hardware limitation.

Price difference reflects the missing extras

You’ll pay around $350 for the 47mm Watch 3. The 43mm version comes in at $300. That extra $50 gets you a slightly bigger screen, longer battery life and the full suite of health sensors.

If you don’t need ECG or vascular data, the 43mm actually offers better comfort and wearability. As long as you have slender wrists. Otherwise it might look out of place. The timepiece is lighter and less bulky, perfect for those after something more discreet. For a more masculine and rugged feel, and for users who want deeper metrics and longer runtime, the bigger model still makes more sense.

Tech specs comparison: OnePlus Watch 3 47mm vs 43mm

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Check out our YouTube channel.