The smartwatch market offers a spectrum of choices, from established ecosystems like Apple's to challengers like OnePlus. We're pitting the Apple Watch Series 7, a still-relevant flagship, against the newer OnePlus Watch 3, powered by Qualcomm's latest wearable chipset, to determine which offers the best blend of performance, features, and value for today's user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and prioritizing seamless integration, the Apple Watch Series 7 remains a strong contender. However, the OnePlus Watch 3, leveraging the efficiency of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, presents a compelling alternative, particularly for Android users seeking extended battery life and a modern chipset at a potentially lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | N/A |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame | Glass front, stainless steel frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 43.2 x 43.2 x 11 mm (1.70 x 1.70 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 oz) | 37.8 g (1.34 oz) |
| | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass | - |
| Resolution | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 466 x 466 pixels (~352 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.32 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | - |
| Chipset | Apple S7 | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR | - |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | Wear OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, barometer, compass, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Ion 354 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Green, Red | Black Steel, Silver Steel |
| Models | A2473, A2474, A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,6, watch6,7, watch6,8, watch6,9 | - |
| Price | About 500 EUR | € 211.90 |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
- Mature app ecosystem
- Established brand reputation
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Snapdragon-powered alternatives
- Higher price point
OnePlus Watch 3 43mm
- Power-efficient Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset
- Potentially longer battery life
- Competitive price point
- Less mature app ecosystem compared to Apple
- Integration primarily focused on Android
Display Comparison
While specific display specs for the Apple Watch Series 7 (resolution, brightness) aren't provided, it's known for its always-on Retina display. The OnePlus Watch 3's display details are also missing, but the focus here is on the underlying architecture. The Apple Watch Series 7 likely utilizes an LTPO display for variable refresh rates, conserving battery. The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 in the OnePlus Watch 3 is designed to efficiently drive displays, potentially offsetting any brightness or resolution differences. Users prioritizing outdoor visibility will need to compare real-world brightness levels, but the Snapdragon's power efficiency could translate to longer always-on display usage on the OnePlus Watch 3.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is known for camera capabilities, and this comparison is largely irrelevant. Smartwatches primarily rely on connected smartphone cameras for photography. Focusing on core smartwatch functions is more pertinent.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple's dual-core S7 versus Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 (4nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 is a significant advantage, offering substantially improved power efficiency compared to the older process node used in the S7. This translates to better thermal management and potentially longer sustained performance. While the S7 is a capable processor, the W5 Gen 1 is specifically designed for wearables, optimizing for low-power operation and responsiveness. This benefits users who frequently use fitness tracking, notifications, and quick apps.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 7 offers up to 18 hours of battery life with typical use, and charges to 80% in 45 minutes. The OnePlus Watch 3's battery capacity and charging speed are not specified, but the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1's power efficiency is a key advantage. Users prioritizing multi-day battery life will likely find the OnePlus Watch 3 more appealing. The 45-minute charge time of the Apple Watch Series 7 is competitive, but the Snapdragon's efficiency could allow the OnePlus Watch 3 to achieve similar charge times with a smaller battery, or longer runtimes with a comparable battery size.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum if you require tight integration with iPhones, access to Apple's extensive app library, and a mature smartwatch experience. Buy the OnePlus Watch 3 43mm if you prioritize longer battery life, prefer the Android ecosystem, and want a smartwatch powered by a cutting-edge, power-efficient Qualcomm chipset without the premium Apple price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 in the OnePlus Watch 3 impact real-world performance compared to the Apple S7?
The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1's 4nm process provides a significant efficiency advantage over the Apple S7. This translates to smoother performance during everyday tasks, quicker app launches, and potentially less throttling during extended use, especially for fitness tracking and notifications. While the S7 is capable, the W5 Gen 1 is optimized for wearables.
❓ Is the Apple Watch Series 7 still worth buying if I'm already heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem?
Yes, if seamless integration with iPhones, Apple Pay, and access to Apple's app store are priorities, the Apple Watch Series 7 remains a compelling choice. However, be aware that its battery life may be shorter compared to the OnePlus Watch 3, and it may not offer the same level of performance efficiency.
❓ Will the OnePlus Watch 3 receive the same level of software support and updates as the Apple Watch Series 7?
Historically, Apple provides longer and more consistent software support for its devices. OnePlus's update track record is less extensive. Users should consider this if long-term software support and feature updates are critical.
