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With the introduction of the OnePlus Watch 2R, OnePlus has tossed one more smartwatch into the already overflowing sea of smartwatches. The 'R' in the naming scheme denotes that this variant is cheaper than the OnePlus Watch 2, similar to the OnePlus 12R, which packs a lot of performance but is the less-endowed twin when compared to the flagship, OnePlus 12.
Priced aggressively at Rs. 17,999, the Watch 2R does share similar hardware with the Watch 2 and brings a plethora of top-line features to this mid-range offering. Pricing and features line up in a way that makes the OnePlus Watch 2R especially interesting to some buyers.
The design of the OnePlus Watch 2R deviates dramatically from the modern feel of the Watch 2 to a classic or vintage look. What gives it a bit of a traditional watch look is the brushed aluminum case, as opposed to the Watch 2, which came in a hybrid design, representing a mix between the classic and the modern watch style.
The OnePlus Watch 2R watch case is much more minimalistic and symmetrical, having two pushers (buttons) on its right side when it's worn on the left wrist. It makes the Watch 2R rather similar to a traditional chronograph watch; this button placement is intuitive as well: top for home and bottom for multifunction. It can also be customized.
Weight, at 59 grams, is considerably lighter than that of the Watch 2 with its stainless steel at 80 grams, due to the aluminum used in its construction. This could be useful for users who find the heavier stainless steel of the Watch 2 a little clumsy to sport for a longer period.
However, the fact that it downgrades from sapphire crystal to Panda glass, very common in smartphones, might be a drawback for those who like the scratch resistance of sapphires. Additionally, it would have benefited a lot of users with smaller wrists if it were a little more compact, say, 44mm in case size.
The Watch 2R retained the magnetic charging system of the Watch 2 that holds the watch securely to the charging dock; however, the metal pins at the back are exposed and may cause skin sensitivities.
Even though it doesn't have a case made from stainless steel, the OnePlus Watch 2R still comes equipped with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, able to hold pressures up to 5 ATM. Be that as it may, unlike the Watch 2, it is devoid of the MIL-STD-810H certification, which enables the Watch 2 to resist extreme temperatures and conditions.
The OnePlus Watch 2R arrives with the same round 1.43-inch AMOLED display as the Watch 2 but has flat Panda glass. A set of imprinted numbers near the edge of the display serves no function; it makes the bezel look thinner, though. It is similar in thickness to the one on the Watch 2 but looks slimmer as compared with that on the Galaxy Watch 6.
On brightness, it does well even under direct sunlight, and sharpness is maintained with text and icons. The always-on display has also been tweaked to be a little brighter; now, it's much more usable for quickly glancing at information on supported watch faces.
To use the OnePlus Watch 2R, one needs to download Oppo's OHealth companion app. The app itself is only available for Android via the Google Play Store and has an extremely friendly interface, foldable device-compatible with a clear display of all the required information and customization through crystal-clear, well-structured sections.
In comparison to many health companion apps at this price point, settings in this OHealth app turn out to be easy, and setup is even easier in case one already has an existing OnePlus or Oppo account. Besides, the app supports synchronization with Google Fit, Google Health Connect, and Strava so that one gets a seamless transition between different platforms or smartwatch brands.
The interface of the OnePlus Watch 2R follows the same mixed operating system approach as adopted with the Watch 2. It runs on Dual-Engine, seamlessly switching between RTOS for base operations and fitness tracking, and Wear OS 4 for third-party apps and high-end features. Users can also switch manually between Smart mode, which puts both operating systems into full gear, and Power saver mode, running on RTOS only. This dual-system approach to its OS strategy further serves to balance out the power consumption: while Wear OS 4 is heavy, RTOS is light.
One of the problems with using two operating systems is that there is no consistency in fonts throughout the watch's interface. Many fonts are used, like Roboto, OnePlus' custom font, and a third from Google's apps. However, there is consistency in the user interface concerning the same theme and iconography for the two different operating systems.
Compared to those on the Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch, watch faces available on the OnePlus Watch 2R are uninspiring. The Watch 2R has two more beyond what is available in the companion app, and it goes on to remain basic with less customization and appeal compared to its premium siblings.
In practice, though, the OnePlus Watch 2R does well in Smart mode. The switchover between Wear OS 4 and RTOS is pretty seamless. This smartwatch works rather smoothly, with little problems, and the software bugs noted in reviews of the Watch 2 have been taken care of through the Watch 2R.
The Bluetooth calling functionality works well; the audio is pretty clear with some ambient noise. However, the speaker volume isn't that loud, and you need to bring your wrist closer to your ear for better clarity. You can also use your TWS earphones if you want to answer calls via a watch but enjoy better audio quality.
The OnePlus Watch 2R comes with the same set of health sensors as the Watch 2 and performs similarly for SpO2 and heart rate tracking. Walking GPS tracking is quite accurate, be it in heavy foliage or tall buildings. It also tracked short naps quite well, providing correct sleep statistics in the companion app and improvement suggestions. Stress readings could not be tested, but they corresponded well with what the user was feeling at that time when checked.
The OnePlus Watch 2R comes in with the aid of OnePlus' Dual-Engine architecture to help it realize up to 7 days of battery life while AOD and SpO2 monitoring features are turned off. With these features on and daily walks GPS-connected, it stretches to about 2.5 days, similar to the Watch 2 and an improvement over the Galaxy Watch 6. If you don't use many apps, OnePlus says the Power saver mode can push battery life as long as 12 days while still allowing all health and fitness tracking.
For example, charging is nicely done: the 100W SuperVOOC charger not in the box reaches 87% charge in only 30 minutes and completes the full charge in 46 minutes. Its strong holding and Type-C port also allow for a magnetic charging dock for added convenience. More to that, with the provided USB Type-C to Type-A cable, users can use any Type-C cable for charging, a feature not commonly matched by other smartwatch brands. This fast-charging capability gives a significant edge to the OnePlus Watch 2R, which will cost Rs. 17,999.
The OnePlus Watch 2R is the most surprising development in the lineup of OnePlus. Targeting urban users rather than those requiring rugged features, the Watch 2R focuses on delivering high performance as laid down by the high-end Watch 2 standards but at much more affordable prices. Though it ditches many high-end features, such as a stainless steel case or sapphire glass, the performance and battery life are pretty much at par with that of the Watch 2R. With a lighter aluminum case, design improvements make the Watch 2R pretty attractive to many.
Yes, the Watch 2R gives real value for money with its Wear OS software, great battery life, and aggressive pricing. Although it misses some advanced features found on more expensive models it doesn't have cellular connectivity or advanced health metrics like those available on Samsung's Galaxy Watches the price and functionality are enough to suffice for a user who wants an affordable, high-performance OnePlus smartwatch that won't make break the bank.
The OnePlus Watch 2R is priced at Rs. 17,999.
The OnePlus Watch 2R features a classic, vintage style with a brushed aluminum case, contrasting with the hybrid design of the OnePlus Watch 2. The Watch 2R is lighter at 59 grams and uses Panda glass instead of sapphire crystal.
The Watch 2R has a 1.43-inch round AMOLED display with flat Panda glass. It maintains good brightness and clarity even in direct sunlight, though its bezel appears slimmer compared to other smartwatches like the Galaxy Watch 6.
The Watch 2R utilizes a Dual-Engine architecture, switching between RTOS for basic functions and fitness tracking, and Wear OS 4 for third-party apps and advanced features.
No, the OnePlus Watch 2R is compatible only with Android devices. Users need to download Oppo’s OHealth companion app from the Google Play Store.
The Watch 2R offers up to 7 days of battery life with AOD and SpO2 monitoring turned off. With these features enabled and daily GPS use, the battery life extends to approximately 2.5 days. In Power saver mode, battery life can reach up to 12 days.
The Watch 2R includes SpO2 monitoring, heart rate tracking, GPS functionality, and sleep tracking. It also supports syncing data with Google Fit, Google Health Connect, and Strava.
The Watch 2R features magnetic charging with a 100W SuperVOOC charger, allowing it to reach 87% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in 46 minutes. The included USB Type-C to Type-A cable ensures compatibility with various chargers.
No, the Watch 2R does not include cellular connectivity. It relies on Bluetooth for calls and notifications.
Yes, the OnePlus Watch 2R has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, withstanding pressures up to 5 ATM.
