I’ve Had An Apple Watch For Almost A Decade And I’ve Tried An Android Watch For The First Time.  Great, But There Are Some Small Prints

I’ve Had An Apple Watch For Almost A Decade And I’ve Tried An Android Watch For The First Time. Great, But There Are Some Small Prints

Of all the devices I use, probably the smart watch is the most superfluous. Come on, if I were told I had to get rid of one right now, it would be my Apple Watch. However, I’ve had Apple devices on my wrist for almost a decade now.

Just because it’s the most dispensable doesn’t mean it’s not useful to me, and I even opted for the watch format when, after having an activity bracelet, I determined that this wearable was not enough for me. What do I use my smartwatch for? Mainly to monitor health and activity data, to pay and for some other notifications that keep me from looking at my phone.

When my previous Apple Watch broke, I looked for alternatives that allowed me to do exactly the same thing and discovered that if I wanted to have apps and pay, I was better off buying one with Wear OS. Garmin’s versions and their sports experience also caught my eye. But The experience of the Apple ecosystem was decisive.

This week I had a unique opportunity: Trying a Wear OS watch after all the life with WatchOSIn fact, I’ve been using my iPhone and my Apple Watch on one side since last Sunday, and the OnePlus Nord 4 and the OnePlus Watch 2R with another and this has been my experience.

On one side, the Apple Watch SE 2nd gen, on the other, OnePlus Watch 2R

A few months ago I told you that after many Apple Watches, I opted for the cheapest version and it was a great purchase. When I said goodbye to my previous Apple Watch 8, I said goodbye to things like the SpO2, VO2Max, ECG and body temperature measurementas well as other secondary things like faster charging or a more modern design. Can I live without that sensory? Yes, although I am curious and like to know my performance, I do sports for pleasure. I am not looking to maximize my performance.

In addition, I have been playing padel on a daily basis for years and recording my training like tennis, and neither of them gave me that, and to make matters worse, neither did the OnePlus watch. My kingdom for a smartwatch that records padelAs an aside: I also do spinning almost every day.

Another point that I find interesting in this experience is the price: both move in the same range. A week later with both watches on my wrist, this is what I have discovered.

Design: I don’t want a frying pan on my wrist


I’ve Had An Apple Watch For Almost A Decade And I’ve Tried An Android Watch For The First Time.  Great, But There Are Some Small Prints

It’s all a matter of taste, but we’re talking about devices that you’re going to carry around with you all the time, Design and comfort is not a trivial issue And here my Apple Watch wins by a landslide. As for the form factor, I like the Apple Watch better, but leaving that aside, there is one essential issue: size.

The design and finishes of the OnePlus Watch 2R are sober and quality, with an aluminum case and fluoroelastomer strap… but It’s too big: almost five centimeters of box On my wrist it is a bit uncomfortable even though it is light. And no, there is no other option.

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I know that this is something exclusive to this specific model and that there are other Android watches like Samsung that do have two sizes and for me it is providential. First, it is a matter of taste, and second, because it is highly probable that half of the population will find something so large uncomfortable: women.

From now on, You can change the strap for another one since it is universalsomething I greatly appreciate for changing the appearance. In the case of Apple it is also possible to change them, although for compatible straps.

About functions and usage

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It should be noted that during this time the connection with the mobile and the fluidity has been good on both phones, offering a satisfying driving experience and quite user-friendly, with a minimal learning curve. Of course, having a larger screen helps to better visualize all the information and, by the way, the OnePlus Watch 2R’s panel looks better simply because it is better: we are looking at a 1.43-inch AMOLED panel with 466 x 466 pixels of resolution and a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits.

As an Apple Watch user, I limit myself to monitoring activity, calls, sleep, viewing messages from messaging apps, paying with a flick of the wrist, changing songs from streaming services, and, very occasionally, using the flashlight. Well, I have been able to do all this with the OnePlus Watch 2R.

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As for health, The Chinese brand’s watch is more completeas it provides more metrics in the sports log and does measure blood oxygen, ground contact time (GCT), GCT balance and VO2 during races or stress. On the other hand, the Apple watch has accident and fall detection.

In terms of data, both have offered very similar information in walking and sleep records, but for example in tennis, OnePlus has provided data such as the serve that is not too accurate with reality. On the other hand, Apple does not provide this data. While the OnePlus is more comprehensive and in-depth in information, I like the simplicity and clarity of the Apple watch.

The battery: putting Apple to shame

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Even with low battery, it is easy to outlast the Apple Watch

If there is one area where the OnePlus Watch 2R wins by a landslide, it is the battery. In a week of use I have charged it twice compared to seven times (daily) for the Apple Watch SE and that is using it normally, without resorting to saving mode.

Regardless of the OS or hardware implemented, The trick of the OnePlus watch is in its dual-processor system: on the one hand the Snapdragon W5 to execute Wear OS 4 and on the other a BES2700 that runs RTOS. The first one for demanding tasks and the second one for light ones. After years and years of charging my smartwatch daily, this has been a joy.

…and not the only one: OnePlus’ watch charges much faster than Apple’sneeding at most one hour. However, it does not come with an adapter.

Conclusion: the differential factor is the ecosystem

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If it weren’t for the fact that I like smaller watches and sometimes that size has gotten in the way, I really liked the OnePlus Watch 2R for its fluidity, possibilities, sports and health metrics and above all, its battery.

Overall it offers more than the Apple Watch SE, but there is some fine print: It’s an Android watch and in my personal life I use the Apple ecosystem.. Same with the Apple Watch. While Apple offers a more well-rounded experience among devices with exclusive features, in the end the key is compatibility with the OS you use on a daily basis.

If it weren’t for this limiting issue (and if the design fit my needs and tastes), it seems to me A great option overall and remarkable in terms of quality and price.. Of course, with competition: offers are the order of the day and in that price range and with Wear OS there are the previous generations of Samsung watches, such as the Galaxy Watch 5However, looking to the future it is always better to buy more modern devices and if you like them big, it is a sure winner.

Cover | Eva Rodriguez de Luis