The smartwatch market is dominated by Apple, but Oppo is making a strong push with the Watch 3 Pro, powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1. This comparison pits Oppo’s new flagship against Apple’s current-generation Series 9, examining the core differences in performance, efficiency, and ecosystem integration.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 remains the superior choice due to its seamless integration and refined software experience. However, the Oppo Watch 3 Pro offers compelling performance with the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 and potentially longer battery life, making it a strong contender for Android users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 10 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 19 | Available. Released 2023, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 50.4 x 38.5 x 12.8 mm (1.98 x 1.52 x 0.50 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM (market/region dependent) | eSIM |
| Weight | 37.5 g (1.34 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | 5ATM water resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 378 x 496 pixels (~327 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.91 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Apple S9 |
| GPU | Adreno A702 | PowerVR |
| OS | Android Wear OS - InternationalColorOS Watch 3.0 - China | watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 64GB |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | - | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, compass, barometer, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 550 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Red |
| Models | - | A2982, A2984, A2983, A2985, Watch7,3, Watch7,4 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 630 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) |
Oppo Watch 3 Pro
- Potentially longer battery life due to Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1’s efficiency.
- Wear OS offers greater customization options.
- Strong performance for Android users.
- Ecosystem integration is weaker compared to Apple.
- Software updates may be less frequent than Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Series 9
- Seamless integration with iPhones and the Apple ecosystem.
- Mature and feature-rich watchOS operating system.
- Fast charging (0-80% in 45 minutes).
- Limited compatibility with Android devices.
- Battery life may be shorter than Oppo Watch 3 Pro.
Display Comparison
While specific display specs for both watches are not provided, the Apple Watch Series 9 is known for its consistently bright and color-accurate OLED display. The Oppo Watch 3 Pro, leveraging Wear OS, likely utilizes an AMOLED panel. The key difference will be in peak brightness and potentially refresh rate. Apple’s LTPO technology allows for a variable refresh rate, conserving battery when static content is displayed. Oppo’s display quality will be crucial to compete, as Apple has set a high bar for outdoor visibility and clarity.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is heavily focused on camera capabilities, but the Apple Watch Series 9 has a slight edge due to its established ecosystem of health and fitness apps that can leverage any available camera functionality. The Oppo Watch 3 Pro’s camera specs are not available, but it’s unlikely to surpass Apple’s integration with its health platform.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Watch 3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a quad-core processor, while the Apple Watch Series 9 utilizes Apple’s dual-core S9 chip. While core count isn’t everything, the 4nm process node of the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 should offer improved power efficiency compared to previous generations. However, Apple’s S9 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) designed specifically for watchOS, allowing for deep software optimization. This optimization likely translates to smoother animations and faster app loading times despite the lower core count. The Apple S9 also benefits from Apple’s Neural Engine for on-device machine learning tasks.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor. The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1’s 4nm process should contribute to better power efficiency in the Oppo Watch 3 Pro. Apple claims 18 hours of typical use for the Series 9, and 0-80% charge in 45 minutes with its wireless charging. The Oppo Watch 3 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, but the Snapdragon chipset suggests it could potentially offer longer runtimes between charges. The efficiency of watchOS versus Wear OS will also play a significant role in real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Watch 3 Pro if you prioritize a potentially longer battery life, prefer the Wear OS ecosystem, and are already invested in Android devices. Its Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset offers a modern platform for smooth operation. Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 if you value tight integration with iPhones, a mature and feature-rich operating system (watchOS), and access to Apple’s extensive app library and health ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 in the Oppo Watch 3 Pro offer a noticeable performance improvement over previous Wear OS watches?
Yes, the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency for Wear OS smartwatches. Its 4nm process and optimized architecture deliver smoother animations, faster app loading times, and improved battery life compared to older Qualcomm chipsets.
❓ How does the Apple S9 chip’s Neural Engine benefit Apple Watch Series 9 users?
The Apple S9’s Neural Engine accelerates on-device machine learning tasks, enhancing features like fall detection, heart rate monitoring, and Siri responsiveness. This allows for more accurate and personalized health insights without relying on cloud processing.
❓ Is the Apple Watch Series 9’s 0-80% charge time of 45 minutes competitive with other smartwatches?
Yes, 45 minutes to 80% is a competitive charging speed for a smartwatch. While some devices offer faster charging, Apple prioritizes battery health and thermal management, resulting in a balanced charging profile.
