When I looked at the OnePlus Watch 2, I was impressed and loved the improvements OnePlus brought to their smartwatch. So, when I got the chance to look at their more affordable but no less impressive OnePlus Watch 2R, I jumped at the chance. It has good features and performance but at a lower price than the OnePlus Watch 2, and it brings with it a style all its own. After using the watch for a few weeks, I must say that OnePlus is knocking it out of the park this year.
I liked the look of the OnePlus Watch 2, but the OnePlus Watch 2R stands out with its simple, stylish design. While it lacks the stainless-steel feel of the more expensive model, the aluminum body feels solid and well-made. The watch is available in two colours: Forest Green and Gunmetal Gray. The Gunmetal Gray has a subtle charm that will appeal to many, especially those seeking a more classic style. This is the version I tested for this review.
Although this is a cheaper option than the standard OnePlus Watch 2, the company has still made sure to use Gorilla Glass on the display. This offers some protection against scratches in everyday use. However, it’s important to note that it’s not as good as the sapphire glass used on the Watch 2. The 1.43-inch AMOLED screen is clear and colourful, with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels. It is also bright, reaching up to 1,000 nits, which means you can see it well even in bright sunlight.
One of the biggest changes from the Watch 2 is the strap. The Watch 2R uses a silicone strap, which differs from the fluoro-rubber used in the more expensive model. While it may not feel as premium, it’s still comfortable and should hold up well for regular use. The strap is 22mm wide, making it easy to swap for a different one if you want a new look. As someone who reviews smartwatches regularly and rotates through a few, I always recommend investing in a leather or metal strap. They not only look better but also provide a more comfortable experience if you plan to wear it daily.
“The OnePlus Watch 2R stands out when compared to other watches in its price range. It offers great value, with better battery life and performance than many Wear OS watches at a similar price point.”
Much like the OnePlus Watch 2, the OnePlus Watch 2R packs a lot of power under the hood. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chip, with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. This setup, identical to the Watch 2, is impressive for its price. As seen with its bigger sibling, the watch offers a smooth user experience, with apps opening quickly and animations running seamlessly. It’s one of the snappiest smartwatches I’ve tested, with both OnePlus smartwatches this year delivering excellent overall performance.
One feature that impressed me was the Watch 2R’s two-chip design. In addition to the Snapdragon W5, it includes a BES2700 chip, which handles low-power tasks. This smart design allows the watch to switch between the full Wear OS and a lighter RTOS mode, depending on usage. This is the same combination we saw with the OnePlus Watch 2 and is a key factor in why that model delivered such impressive battery longevity.
Speaking of battery life, the OnePlus Watch 2R stands out. The 500mAh battery lasts for up to 100 hours when used in smart mode and an incredible 12 days in power-saving mode. In real-world tests, you can use it for three to four days with the always-on display and sleep tracking on, a respectable length, and should be more than sufficient for most people’s needs. When it needs a charge, the VOOC fast charging can go from 0 to 100% in about an hour. OnePlus took notes from their first OnePlus Watch launch, and I am happy with the improvements across the board.
You may have noticed there isn’t much difference between the Watch 2 and the 2R, and this continues with its use of Wear OS 4. This allows access to the Google Play Store, along with a variety of apps and watch faces. OnePlus has also added its own unique watch faces and health-tracking tools, enhancing the overall experience. The OnePlus 2R smartwatch smoothly switches between Wear OS and RTOS, depending on your needs.
The Watch 2R covers most of the basics in terms of health and fitness tracking. It offers continuous heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, stress measurement, and sleep tracking. It also includes a built-in GPS for tracking outdoor workouts. However, some advanced features like ECG, skin temperature sensing, and menstrual cycle tracking are absent.
For anyone looking to use the Watch 2R as their fitness companion, the workout tracking is solid, with support for more than 100 activities. The dual-band GPS provides accurate location tracking for outdoor workouts, and the heart rate monitor performs well for a wrist device. However, serious athletes may find it lacking in advanced metrics. While there are other watches that offer more in-depth tracking, OnePlus has found a great balance with the Watch 2 series, delivering enough features to meet most people’s needs without feeling overwhelming.
“The OnePlus 2R smartwatch smoothly switches between Wear OS and RTOS, depending on your needs.”
If you’re looking for the biggest difference between the Watch 2 and the 2R, it would be in durability. The 2R has a 5ATM water rating and IP68 certification for dust and water resistance, but it lacks the MIL-STD-810H rating that the Watch 2 offers. This means it might not be as rugged for intense outdoor activities. That said, it should still be more than sufficient for most users who want a smartwatch for everyday use. Ultimately, it depends on your specific needs.
When it comes to smartwatch features, the Watch 2R performs well. You can receive notifications, make calls (when linked to your phone via Bluetooth), play music, and use Google Assistant. The built-in speaker and mic are fine for quick calls, but for longer conversations, you might prefer using your phone. One notable omission, especially compared to the Chinese version of the watch, is the lack of LTE. This means you’ll need to keep your phone nearby to stay connected. It’s a bit disappointing, especially since some other brands in this price range offer cellular options.
The OnePlus Watch 2R stands out when compared to other watches in its price range. It offers great value, with better battery life and performance than many Wear OS watches at a similar price point. However, it competes closely with the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, which offers a smoother software experience and additional health features.
After using the OnePlus Watch 2R, I walked away impressed overall. While it isn’t as durable as the original OnePlus Watch 2 and uses some lower-quality materials, the core features are quite similar, delivering what matters most to users. Its lower price makes it a fantastic option, especially for those looking for a budget-friendly smartwatch that still offers best-in-class features.
The OnePlus Watch 2R is a strong contender in the mid-range smartwatch market. It offers great performance, long battery life, and a solid range of features at a fair price. While it may not have all the extras of more expensive models, it nails the basics and should meet the needs of most users. For me, the OnePlus Watch 2R is an excellent choice, and with its attractive colour options, it’s the watch to buy—unless you specifically need the extra features its bigger sibling offers.