This Android smartwatch with ‘100-hour battery life’ is one of my favorite Amazon deals right now Hallie Frederick | usagoldmines.com

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What is the deal?

Amazon is at present promoting the OnePlus Watch 2 for $250, which is $50 off its common worth. This makes it probably the greatest and most accessible smartwatches we have examined.

ZDNET’s key takeaways

The OnePlus Watch 2 is typically available for $299.99, however is at present on sale for $250.
Elegant {hardware}, lengthy battery life, flawless efficiency, examined sturdiness, inexpensive worth, and Put on OS 4.
Missing some superior well being capabilities and a bit massive for smaller wrists.

When OnePlus introduced the OnePlus Watch in 2021, I instantly positioned an order as a result of the {hardware} appeared compelling and it was priced at $159. After a number of weeks, I returned the system as a consequence of its sheer lack of providing something of worth.

The unique OnePlus Watch was powered by Actual-Time Working System (RTOS), which was completely high-quality as many smartwatches run lean and imply. Nevertheless, this 12 months’s OnePlus Watch 2 takes issues to the following degree by providing each RTOS and Wear OS 4 on a single watch with a dual-engine structure. With this distinctive method, the system is essentially the most environment friendly Put on OS watch obtainable as we speak, with longer battery life than another Google Put on OS system or Apple Watch.

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Along with a robust working system technique, OnePlus has created one of the crucial elegant smartwatches obtainable as we speak. The system incorporates chrome steel within the watch physique, a 2.5D clean sapphire crystal watch face, and a sturdy silicone watch band. The fitting-side buttons are stylishly integrated into the bezel, with a spherical button on high and an oval one on the underside.

The OnePlus Watch 2 is constructed to fulfill 5 ATM water resistance and has an IP68 score, so you may put on it with out fear for swimming and different outside adventures. As well as, the system has been constructed to fulfill MIL-STD-810H requirements, so it beats out even the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

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OnePlus states the watch will final for 100 hours in Sensible Mode, 48 hours with heavy use, and as much as 12 days in power-saver mode. It has a 500 mAh battery. In my two weeks of testing, I may put on the watch 24/7 and cost it up each three to 4 days. I wore the system for operating and strolling with GPS monitoring turned on, indoor rowing for lively heart-rate monitoring, and extra. The battery will likely be consumed quicker with the always-on show mode enabled. However as I discovered the lift-to-wake function carried out effectively, I saved the always-on show turned off once I first examined it.

Regardless that the OnePlus Watch 2 has wonderful battery life, it additionally helps 7.5W VOOC quick charging, so you may cost the system as much as 100% in simply an hour and get a day of use in a a lot shorter interval. A protracted battery life with processor effectivity and quick charging are the very best combos for a smartwatch.

Additionally: The best Android smartwatches in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Twin frequency, L5 and L1, satellite tv for pc place is current, with assist for Beidou, GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and QZSS GNSS. The watch tracked me in virtually the identical manner as my devoted GPS sports activities watches. And with assist for Put on OS, you should utilize your devoted watch purposes should you do not need to use OHealth. Coronary heart-rate monitoring on the watch was additionally correct. 

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OnePlus requires using the OHealth app in your Android cellphone and the watch doesn’t work with an Apple iPhone. The Put on OS app just isn’t used, as each the watch apps and settings, together with well being and wellness options, are all managed via the OHealth app. 

The OHealth app provides a clear consumer interface and I want utilizing it over the Google and Fitbit apps present in Pixel Watches. At the moment, the info collected by the OnePlus Watch 2 stays in OHealth, with OnePlus publicly stating it has future plans to assist syncing to different companies, resembling Strava.

Screenshot by Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The OHealth app and OnePlus Watch 2 assist the monitoring of your coronary heart charge, blood oxygen, stress, sleep, exercises, and extra. The OHealth app can also be used to handle your chosen watch faces, and the Put on OS tiles that seem while you swipe left and proper on the watch face. There are lots of settings contained with the OHealth app and I discover the software program simpler to navigate than the Put on OS app on a Pixel cellphone. 

Additionally: One of the best Android smartwatches I’ve tested is cheaper than what Samsung and Google offer

Additionally make sure that to take a look at the intensive variety of exercise and well being settings, which embody heart-rate alerts, respiratory assessments when you sleep, auto-workout detection, and even customization of the shows to your favourite exercises.

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Whereas the OnePlus Watch 2 is a considerably higher watch than the first-generation system, there may be room for enchancment. There isn’t any choice for mobile connectivity, the only 47mm diameter with 80 grams of weight is not the very best for individuals with smaller wrists, there isn’t any assist for fall detection, there isn’t any functionality to manage a OnePlus cellphone digital camera from the watch (that is coming in a future replace), girls’s health-tracking options usually are not current, ECG readings can’t be captured by the watch, and there’s no skin-temperature sensor.

Nevertheless, I cherished sporting this elegant watch and swiping throughout the face to entry my favourite tiles. The Google Pixel Watch is just too small for me and the battery life is just too brief to get pleasure from its performance. The OnePlus Watch 2 exhibits there may be hope for higher choices at an inexpensive worth.

Screenshot by Matthew Miller/ZDNET

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

After testing the primary OnePlus Watch, I had little confidence that OnePlus would impress me with one other RTOS smartwatch. I used to be frankly blown away by the work that has been achieved by the corporate to make the OnePlus Watch 2 probably the greatest watches obtainable for Android smartphone customers, whereas nonetheless having room for enchancment. 

At $299, the system is a must-buy for OnePlus cellphone house owners and a watch that each one Android smartphone customers ought to take into account. You may as well sit up for future software program updates that can make this watch a fair higher funding.