Replace: December 17, 2020 (02:00 PM ET): OnePlus CEO Pete Lau just lately performed an interview with numerous journalists. Throughout his chat, he talked a bit in regards to the OnePlus Watch. That new data is included within the hub beneath!
Unique article: September 27, 2020 (4 AM ET): OnePlus has lengthy aspired to create an ecosystem of gadgets that stretches past smartphones. The corporate’s efforts in direction of attaining this objective began with the OnePlus Bullets Wi-fi neckband earphones again in 2018. Since then, OnePlus has expanded its lineup with TWS earphones, wi-fi chargers, and even televisions. Nevertheless, the health wearables area is one which the producer has left untouched until now. That is about to vary.
From Oppo to Realme, to Vivo — all of OnePlus’ sister firms beneath the BBK Electronics umbrella have introduced or launched a health wearable. The Oppo and Vivo smartwatches are the newest on this onslaught, and by the seems to be of it, OnePlus isn’t trailing far behind. Enter the OnePlus Watch.
To this point, little is understood about OnePlus’ debut endeavor within the smartwatch class, however we’ll spherical up all of the rumors on this article. We’ll additionally checklist out some expectations we have now from the OnePlus Watch, given the crowded promote it’s about to enter.
OnePlus Watch: Identify and launch date
It’s not stunning that OnePlus is making a smartwatch. Creating equipment to go alongside smartphones has been a observe within the tech trade since kingdom come. Samsung has finished it, Apple has finished it, Xiaomi’s within the thick of it, and practically each main smartphone model you’ll be able to identify is increasing its wearables portfolio.
Additionally learn: The perfect smartwatches you should purchase proper now
OnePlus first dabbled with the thought of a smartwatch in 2016 however in the end shelved the thought. In actual fact, the model had a accomplished smartwatch again then however determined in opposition to bringing it to the marketplace for no matter purpose.
Nevertheless, firm CEO Pete Lau confirmed in an interview that the OnePlus Watch is again within the pipeline. He was mum on loads of particulars however did reveal that it’s coming quickly. We count on it to launch in some unspecified time in the future in 2021.
So far as the identify goes, everyone seems to be referring to it because the OnePlus Watch. There’s been no affirmation from the corporate that that’s the identify, however we wouldn’t be shocked if that’s what finally ends up taking place.
OnePlus Watch rumored design and specs
There isn’t a single leak on the market in regards to the specs of the so-called OnePlus Watch. The one data up to now comes from tipster Max J on Twitter, who posted a cryptic teaser in regards to the smartwatch having a spherical dial as an alternative of a sq. face.
The tipster doesn’t even point out the identify of the smartwatch. He solely alludes to its doable round design, which instantly distinguishes it from the Apple Watch-esque Oppo Watch. Nevertheless, it does open up the opportunity of the OnePlus Watch resembling the spherical Vivo Watch or the Realme Watch S Professional.
If that’s the case, OnePlus may not should construct a smartwatch chassis from scratch. It might simply borrow Vivo or Realme’s design and slap its most popular {hardware} on it. Then once more, OnePlus would possibly undertake a very contemporary method for its first timepiece.
When it does launch, the OnePlus Watch can also embrace a Cyberpunk 2077-inspired particular version. Straps with Cyberpunk insignia and shiny yellow inserts have leaked.
Will the watch run on Put on OS?
In accordance with Pete Lau, OnePlus is working intently with Google to develop the software program for the watch. Now, he didn’t particularly say that the OnePlus Watch will run on Put on OS, however the firm working with Google leaves little to the creativeness.
Apparently, Lau freely admitted that Put on OS “positively has room to enhance.” He went on to debate how his firm is making solutions to Google on what might be finished to make the person expertise higher for the upcoming watch. In accordance with Lau, this co-working effort “has been one thing checked out very positively from Google’s facet.” Take that as you’ll.
OnePlus Watch: What we wish to see
Whereas we don’t have any clue in regards to the specs and software program of the OnePlus Watch, there are some things we want to see on it. Whether or not OnePlus has already considered these or not is anybody’s guess, however right here’s what a OnePlus Watch seems to be like in our minds.
Brilliant AMOLED always-on show
An OLED or AMOLED show is the gold customary for smartwatches proper now. We’d like to see the OnePlus Watch deliver a shiny and crisp always-on AMOLED display just like the one on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and even the Oppo Watch. Positive, meaning you gained’t get battery life that lasts weeks, however no full-fledged smartwatch can promise you that nowadays. The Galaxy Watch 3 tops out at round three days with AOD turned off, whereas the Oppo Watch simply lasts 24 hours with the function turned on.
Not many AMOLED-touting watches can final for per week or extra, although some Fitbit and Garmin gadgets do. I’d be completely happy if the OnePlus Watch might take telephone calls, get notifications, run apps, monitor exercises, and mainly do all the pieces a smartwatch is anticipated to do. In fact, with an always-on AMOLED display that doesn’t kill the watch by mid-day and makes it tick for at the very least 24 hours.
Qualcomm Snapdragon Put on 4100 Plus
OnePlus and Qualcomm have had an incredible partnership relating to smartphones, and we count on to see the identical for when the corporate launches smartwatches. In contrast to the Oppo Watch that homes the two-year-old Snapdragon Put on 3100 chipset, we hope the OnePlus Watch upgrades to the Snapdragon Put on 4100 Plus.
The brand new 12nm chip guarantees the quickest clock pace (1.7GHz) on any Snapdragon Put on platform by Qualcomm to this point. In comparison with the 1.1GHz clock pace on the Put on 3100, this could really feel like a major increase. The brand new-generation chip additionally improves upon reminiscence, GPU, and digital camera efficiency, and comes with a co-processor that guarantees nice enhancements to battery life. Pair this with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage, and also you’ll have fairly the highly effective watch in your wrist.
Put on OS with some tweaks
Let’s be trustworthy, Google’s Put on OS platform hasn’t actually managed to dominate the smartwatch ecosystem. It’s principally relied on Qualcomm’s {hardware}, and that door was shut for the previous two years. With the brand new Put on 4100 chipset, there’s renewed hope for the way forward for Put on OS watches. There’s additionally a brand new model of Put on OS that’s based mostly on Android 11 and helps the newest Snapdragon Put on chips. It guarantees quicker app begins, faster entry to data, a simplified pairing course of, improved help for LTE, and extra. For best-in-class smartwatch efficiency, we might have appreciated to see the OnePlus Watch pair the Snapdragon Put on 4100 Plus with the newest Put on OS software program out-of-the-box.
Additionally learn: The perfect Put on OS apps for Android
We additionally wouldn’t thoughts seeing some sensible software program tweaks similar to a reimagined ZenMode for watches or customized battery modes just like the Fossil Gen 5. It’s additionally fully doable that the OnePlus Watch might be a primary health watch, sans any third-party apps, like what we’ve seen from Huami’s Amazfit.
Match rivals’ options
We don’t need OnePlus to cover behind an eye-watering variety of health/sports activities modes like some watches on the market whereas compromising on the accuracy of core sensors (learn Amazfit Stratos 3). What we wish to see is an correct coronary heart price and GPS sensor, NFC for distant funds, wi-fi charging, OnePlus’ signature Warp Charging, in addition to blood oxygen monitoring. Stuff like Google Assistant help will robotically come if the watch sports activities the Put on OS platform. All this may make sure the OnePlus Watch stands on equal footing with different current smartwatches just like the Apple Watch 6 or the Galaxy Watch 3.
A measured worth
What we’ve described above might sound like the proper Put on OS smartwatch, and also you would possibly say that every one this may’t presumably come low cost. You’ll be proper. We don’t count on the OnePlus Watch to be beneath $200 with all these options and the newest Qualcomm chipsets. If the Mobvoi TicWatch Professional 3 worth is any indicator, then the OnePlus Watch might value round $300.
There’s additionally the Apple Watch SE that is available in at $279, and that’s the one OnePlus would in all probability should beat. Each Apple and Samsung are ecosystem leaders for smartwatches, and OnePlus has its work minimize out for it. Perhaps a $250-$300 worth level might make the OnePlus Watch the very best Put on OS watch to purchase. I assume we’ll have to attend and watch.