The OnePlus Watch 3 is the leader in battery life among Wear OS devices, but is that sufficient to outshine Google?
Wear OS timepieces are making a comeback, and the competition is fierce. Google and Samsung dominate the scene, yet brands like OnePlus are also re-entering the Wear OS arena. This is excellent news for those in the market for a smartwatch — there’s never been a better moment to seek a new one. Two standout choices are the Google Pixel Watch 4 and the OnePlus Watch 3.
Both Google and OnePlus were initially slow to roll out their flagship smartwatches in various sizes, but now you can choose between the Pixel Watch 4 and OnePlus Watch 3 in both large and small options. Each offers unique features, with Google focusing on Fitbit integration and OnePlus emphasizing battery longevity. Let’s delve into how these two top Wear OS smartwatches stack up against each other to help you determine which suits your needs.
Google Pixel Watch 4 vs. OnePlus Watch 3: Design and display
The Google Pixel Watch 4 and the OnePlus Watch 3 are unique in their design aesthetics. Google’s smartwatch showcases a delicate and stylish look, somewhat akin to classic analog watches. Even the larger 45mm variant maintains its sophisticated charm, showcasing a domed glass and display that merge smoothly into the round aluminum body. In contrast, the OnePlus Watch 3 embraces a bolder design language that also draws inspiration from analog watches, but leans into a more robust presentation.
The smaller 43mm OnePlus Watch 3 is more understated in appearance, akin to the Pixel Watch 3 but lacks the domed glass feature. Conversely, the original OnePlus Watch 3 boasts a substantial 46.6mm size, appearing quite large on most wrists. It features a metallic bezel with dial indicators that safeguard the digital OLED screen. Additionally, both sizes come with two buttons that now rotate for software navigation.
As illustrated in the comparison below, both variants of the OnePlus Watch 3 are eye-catching and resilient, though the 43mm OnePlus Watch 3 is undoubtedly more discreet.
The Google Pixel Watch 4 is offered in 41mm and 45mm sizes, both of which are smaller than the corresponding sizes of the OnePlus Watch 3. It features an Actua 360 AMOLED LTPO display, with a domed screen that complements the cover glass this year. It achieves a peak brightness of 3,000 nits and a variable refresh rate between 1-60Hz. Consequently, the Pixel Watch 4 will appear brighter and more legible in outdoor settings.
The OnePlus Watch 3 also incorporates an LTPO AMOLED display, but this one has a resolution of 466×466 and a peak brightness of 2,200 nits. While it’s comparable to Google’s display, it isn’t as bright, which might be a concern during outdoor workouts in direct sunlight.
The OnePlus Watch 3 is decidedly sturdier, constructed with a stainless steel frame and sapphire-crystal glass. It also boasts IP68/5ATM dust and water resistance, similar to the Pixel Watch 4. While the Pixel Watch 4 is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and an aluminum chassis, it doesn’t measure up to the durability of the OnePlus Watch 3 in this regard. The domed glass design might pose a risk in this respect, as it could be more susceptible to scratches or damage.
Google Pixel Watch 4 vs. OnePlus Watch 3: Hardware and specs
The Google Pixel Watch 4 arrives with a chip enhancement compared to the OnePlus Watch 3, although it may not be as significant as expected. OnePlus utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip, which was once the premier smartwatch processor. Now, the Pixel Watch 4 features the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2. In terms of sheer performance, you shouldn’t anticipate one device performing significantly better or worse than the other.
The new chipset doesn’t introduce substantial performance improvements; rather, it emphasizes a reduced size, dual-band GPS functionality, and on-watch satellite connectivity. These enhancements are appealing features of the Pixel Watch 4, yet they do not boost processing power. Both the Pixel Watch 4 and the OnePlus Watch 3 are equipped with co-processors designed to execute specific tasks while conserving battery life.
Specifically, the OnePlus Watch 3 employs Wear OS 5 and an RTOS (a supplemental operating system) to extend its multi-day battery life. The Google Pixel Watch 4 offers superior software support, comes pre-installed with Wear OS 6, and implements Material 3 Expressive. Nevertheless, the dual-OS strategy of the OnePlus Watch 3 provides a significant edge in battery longevity.
The 46mm variant of the OnePlus Watch 3 delivers up to five days of battery life on a single charge in smartwatch mode. Meanwhile, the 45mm Pixel Watch 4 has a maximum battery life of
