The smartwatch market is dominated by Apple, but OnePlus is making a strong push with the Watch 3, powered by Qualcomm's latest wearable chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences between the OnePlus Watch 3 and the Apple Watch Series 9, focusing on performance, charging, and overall user experience to determine which device delivers the most value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing seamless ecosystem integration and advanced health features, the Apple Watch Series 9 remains the superior choice. However, the OnePlus Watch 3 offers compelling performance with the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 at a potentially lower price point, making it a strong contender for Android users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 18 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 03 | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, stainless steel frame, plastic back | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 47.6 x 46.6 x 11.8 mm (1.87 x 1.83 x 0.46 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 49.7 g (1.76 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 pixels (~310 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED, 2200 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Apple S9 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | ColorOS Watch 7.0 + Wear OS 5.0 | watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, barometer, compass, heart rate, SpO2, thermometer (skin temperature) | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 7.5W wired | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 648 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black titanium, Silver titanium | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Red |
| Models | OPWWE251 | A2982, A2984, A2983, A2985, Watch7,3, Watch7,4 |
| Price | € 138.00 | About 630 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) |
OnePlus Watch 3
- Potentially longer battery life due to Snapdragon W5 Gen 1's efficiency.
- Likely more affordable price point.
- Wear OS offers greater customization options.
- Charging speed is slower at 7.5W.
- Ecosystem integration is weaker compared to Apple.
- Health features may be less advanced.
Apple Watch Series 9
- Faster charging with 0-80% in 45 minutes.
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Advanced health features like ECG and blood oxygen monitoring.
- Higher price point.
- Limited customization options compared to Wear OS.
- Battery life may be shorter than the OnePlus Watch 3.
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided for the OnePlus Watch 3, it's reasonable to expect an AMOLED panel given current smartwatch trends. The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a Retina LTPO OLED display, known for its excellent color accuracy and adaptive refresh rates up to 60Hz. LTPO technology allows the Series 9 to dynamically adjust its refresh rate, conserving battery life when static content is displayed. The absence of LTPO information for the OnePlus Watch 3 suggests potential battery life compromises if it uses a traditional AMOLED panel. Bezels are likely comparable, but Apple’s display is known for its superior brightness, making it more visible in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities, and neither spec sheet details camera features. Smartwatches generally have limited camera functionality, focusing on quick snapshots or video calls. Therefore, this is not a significant differentiating factor in this comparison.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Watch 3 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, a 4nm processor designed specifically for wearables, promising improved efficiency and performance over previous generations. The Apple Watch Series 9 features Apple’s custom S9 SiP (System in Package) with a dual-core CPU. While core count isn’t everything, Apple’s tight hardware-software integration allows the S9 to extract maximum performance. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 should provide excellent power efficiency, potentially leading to longer battery life for the OnePlus Watch 3. However, Apple’s S9 likely has a significant advantage in raw processing power and graphics performance, resulting in smoother animations and faster app loading times.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Watch 3 features 7.5W wired charging, a relatively standard speed. The Apple Watch Series 9 offers wireless charging, reaching 80% charge in approximately 45 minutes. While the OnePlus Watch 3’s charging speed is adequate, the Apple Watch Series 9’s wireless convenience and faster partial charge time are significant advantages. The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1’s 4nm architecture in the OnePlus Watch 3 should contribute to better battery life, potentially offsetting the slower charging speed. However, Apple’s optimized power management within watchOS could provide comparable or even superior real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Watch 3 if you need a powerful smartwatch experience on Android with excellent battery life and are comfortable with the Wear OS ecosystem. It’s ideal for fitness enthusiasts who want detailed tracking without the premium Apple price tag. Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 if you prioritize tight integration with iPhones, access to a vast app library, and advanced health monitoring features like ECG and blood oxygen tracking, and are willing to pay a premium for the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 in the OnePlus Watch 3 compare to the Apple S9 in terms of app loading times and overall responsiveness?
While the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 is a powerful chip for wearables, Apple’s S9 benefits from tight hardware-software integration. This allows Apple to optimize performance in ways Qualcomm cannot. Expect the Apple Watch Series 9 to generally offer faster app loading times and a smoother, more responsive user experience, particularly when multitasking.
❓ Is the 7.5W charging speed of the OnePlus Watch 3 a significant drawback compared to the Apple Watch Series 9's wireless charging?
The 7.5W charging speed is slower than the Apple Watch Series 9's wireless charging, which reaches 80% in 45 minutes. However, the OnePlus Watch 3 may compensate with potentially longer battery life due to the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1’s efficiency. If you prioritize quick top-ups, the Apple Watch is better, but if you don't mind charging overnight, the OnePlus Watch 3's slower charging is less of an issue.
❓ What are the implications of the Apple Watch Series 9's closed ecosystem for Android users?
The Apple Watch Series 9 is designed to work seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple devices. Android users will experience significant limitations, including the inability to pair the watch with their phones and access key features. The OnePlus Watch 3, running Wear OS, is fully compatible with Android smartphones.
