The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm packs the power of Wear OS into a more compact design, but it does come with some drawbacks.
The compact OnePlus Watch 3 has finally launched, and I’ve been testing it extensively in recent weeks to evaluate how it compares to its larger, more capable counterpart. I’ve taken it on hikes, walks, runs, CrossFit sessions, and even paddled on the lake.
My conclusion is that the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is ideal for those seeking a smaller Wear OS smartwatch without having to contend with the relatively short battery life of devices like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or the Google Pixel Watch 3.
Although the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm presents significantly better battery longevity than these options, OnePlus did make trade-offs in features to achieve a more compact form.
The OnePlus is set to launch in the U.S. and Canada on July 8, 2025, priced at USD $299.99/CA $399.99 on OnePlus.com. It comes in Silver Steel and Black Steel finishes. Our review unit is the Black Steel variant.
To enhance its pricing appeal, OnePlus is running two promotions throughout July. Students in the U.S. and Canada can enjoy a 10% discount (equating to $30 off), while all other customers can benefit from a $50 reduction when trading in a compatible device. While OnePlus did not share the exact device list beforehand, it likely involves trading in an old smartwatch for an upgrade.
As someone who prefers smaller smartwatches, I feel that the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm was designed with me in mind. It is significantly lighter and more compact than the larger OnePlus Watch 3, weighing 21g less according to my measurements.
At 60g, it still doesn’t match the Pixel Watch 3 41mm’s 46g weight, but the advantage of a larger battery and slightly bigger display outweighs the 14g weight reduction Google achieved in that model. It feels just right in that sense.
While the reduction in weight and physical size is a significant improvement, the design modifications are what I appreciate the most. Additionally, OnePlus has enhanced the brightness of the 43mm version over the larger model, which is especially noticeable in outdoor settings.
The included band lies completely flat, as opposed to the OnePlus Watch 3. Even with a different band on the larger model, the watch looks awkward without a curved band, which is not an issue with the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm.
I also appreciate that there is no “sidebar” on the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm that conflicts with the buttons of the OnePlus Watch 3. This results in a perfectly uniform circular design for the 43mm variant, with only the crown button standing out at the top right. The crown itself is excellently designed and functions just like the larger OnePlus Watch 3, complete with great haptics.
The appropriately placed crown means you’re unlikely to accidentally press the button during workouts or when leaning against something, which frequently happens to me with the Pixel Watch 3 unless I wear it backwards.
While the weight and size are significant advantages, OnePlus had to make sacrifices regarding battery size and health tracking capabilities in the smaller OnePlus Watch 3, as a means to reduce its dimensions. U.S. users have missed out on the 60-second health check feature on the OnePlus Watch 3 due to the absence of FDA approval, and the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm also lacks this feature globally.
OnePlus states that this is “due to the absence of a temperature sensor and vascular health tracking capabilities in the Watch 3 43mm.” Essentially, there is no software solution for the missing hardware. Whether these features are essential to you is another matter, but they are not available on the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm, whereas the larger Watch 3 includes them.
Fortunately, workout tracking is as efficient as that of the OnePlus Watch 3, and I noticed no significant differences regarding heart rate or GPS tracking capabilities with the smaller model.
One of the key factors for opting for a OnePlus Watch 3 over other Wear OS devices is its outstanding battery performance. With an average usage span of 5 days per charge, there isn’t much competition available. As anticipated, the 43mm version doesn’t sustain that charge quite as long.
Instead of 5 days, you can expect around 2 days from a single charge. Those who use few sleep or health tracking features may stretch it to a third day, but that is rare. Luckily, the 43mm version still benefits from the ultra-fast Super
