OnePlus Watch 2R First Impressions: Cost-Effective Alternative to the Watch 2

After a long wait, OnePlus has expanded its smartwatch lineup with the OnePlus Watch 2R, a more affordable alternative to the OnePlus Watch 2. The OnePlus Watch 2R promises to offer significant value with its new design and retained core features. Here, we dive into our first impressions of this highly anticipated device.

OnePlus Watch 2R First Impressions: Cost-Effective Alternative to the Watch 2

Key Takeaways

  • Design: Sleek aluminum case, lighter than the Watch 2.
  • Display: 1.43-inch AMOLED, bright and vivid.
  • Hardware: Dual-engine architecture, Snapdragon W5, and BT2700 processors.
  • Battery: 500mAh, promising long battery life.
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, but no LTE.
  • Price: Priced at Rs 17,999, significantly cheaper than the Watch 2.

OnePlus Watch 2R First Impressions

The OnePlus Watch 2R stands out with its sleek and modern design, a departure from the OnePlus Watch 2. While the Watch 2 sports a more premium stainless steel build, the 2R opts for an aluminum case. This switch to aluminum not only reduces the cost but also makes the watch lighter, weighing in at just 59 grams compared to the Watch 2’s 80 grams.

The design is more traditional with flatter, more pronounced sides and a diamond-shaped embossed pattern on the straps, giving it a premium look despite the cost reduction. The choice of aluminum raises some concerns about durability, but the brushed metal finish adds a touch of elegance that OnePlus fans will appreciate.

Display

The OnePlus Watch 2R features a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466×466. This high-resolution display ensures sharp and vibrant visuals, making it a delight to use. The screen is protected by Panda Glass, offering decent protection against scratches and minor impacts.

One of the clever design choices is the dual-toned chronogram on the bezel, which cleverly utilizes the space and gives the illusion of a smaller bezel. The display’s brightness reaches up to 1000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight.

Hardware and Performance

Under the hood, the OnePlus Watch 2R shares the same hardware as the Watch 2. It features a dual-engine architecture powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 processor and the BT2700. This combination ensures smooth performance and efficient battery management.

With 2GB of RAM, the watch handles multitasking effortlessly. Apps launch instantly, and the overall UI is snappy and responsive. The 500mAh battery promises extended usage, making the Watch 2R a reliable companion for daily use.

Software and Features

The OnePlus Watch 2R runs on Wear OS, providing a seamless setup and integration with Google services. The initial setup process is straightforward, thanks to the intuitive OHealth app. The watch also supports Google Assistant, making it easy to manage tasks and get information on the go.

Pre-installed apps include fitness and health tracking features such as heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurement, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring. The watch supports over 100 different sports modes, making it an excellent choice for fitness enthusiasts.

Connectivity and Usability

The Watch 2R offers robust connectivity options, including Bluetooth, dual-band Wi-Fi, and NFC. However, it lacks LTE connectivity, which is present in the Watch 2. Despite this, the Bluetooth calling feature and Wi-Fi connectivity ensure that users can stay connected without major issues.

The watch also offers 32GB of internal storage, with around 21GB available for user data. This ample storage space allows users to install a variety of Wear OS-supported apps from the Play Store.

Battery Life and Charging

The OnePlus Watch 2R comes with a substantial 500mAh battery. In real-life usage scenarios, the battery life has been impressive. With features like auto-brightness, continuous heart rate monitoring, and GPS tracking, the watch manages to last an entire day with heavy usage.

The watch supports 7.5W VOOC Fast Charging, which can charge the battery from 12% to 100% in just 40 minutes. This fast charging capability ensures minimal downtime and maximum usability.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Sleek design with aluminum build
  • High-resolution AMOLED display
  • Robust performance with dual-engine architecture
  • Excellent battery life and fast charging
  • Affordable price

Cons:

  • Lack of LTE connectivity
  • Potential durability concerns with aluminum case

Conclusion

The OnePlus Watch 2R presents itself as a strong contender in the affordable smartwatch market. Its sleek design, robust performance, and comprehensive feature set make it a compelling choice for those looking for a cost-effective Wear OS device. While it lacks LTE connectivity, the overall value it offers at Rs 17,999 is hard to ignore.

Future Review Plans

Stay tuned for our comprehensive review, where we will put the OnePlus Watch 2R through rigorous testing to see how it performs in various scenarios. If you have any specific questions or features you want us to test, feel free to share them in the comments.

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