The smartwatch market is booming, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two heavy hitters against each other: the Oppo Watch 3, known for its impressive specs, and the Apple Watch Series 8, a long-standing leader in the wearable space. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which is best for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 maintains its edge with seamless iOS integration, a mature app ecosystem, and refined health tracking. However, the Oppo Watch 3 offers a compelling alternative with a larger display, potentially longer battery life, and a more competitive price point, especially 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 |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 10 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 19 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 43 x 37 x 11.7 mm (1.69 x 1.46 x 0.46 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM (market/region dependent) | eSIM |
| Weight | 31.9 g (1.13 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | 5ATM water resistant | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 372 x 430 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.75 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 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 S8 |
| GPU | Adreno A702 | PowerVR |
| OS | Android Wear OS - InternationalColorOS Watch 3.0 - China | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | 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) |
| | - | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 400 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | - | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Oppo Watch 3
- Larger Display
- Potentially Longer Battery Life
- Built-in Camera
- Competitive Price
- Android Compatibility
- Less Mature App Ecosystem
- Performance Not as Smooth as Apple Watch
- Camera Quality Could Be Better
Apple Watch Series 8
- Seamless iOS Integration
- Mature App Ecosystem
- Advanced Health Tracking (ECG, Blood Oxygen)
- Fast and Responsive Performance
- Refined User Interface
- Shorter Battery Life
- Higher Price
- Limited Android Compatibility
Display Comparison
The Oppo Watch 3 boasts a larger 1.75-inch AMOLED display with a 372 x 432 resolution, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Apple Watch Series 8 features a slightly smaller 1.78-inch display (45mm model) with a similar resolution, but Apple's display technology is renowned for its color accuracy and brightness. Both offer excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo Watch 3 includes a built-in camera, a feature absent in the Apple Watch Series 8. While the Oppo's camera is primarily for video calls and quick snaps, it's a convenient addition for some users. Image quality is decent but not exceptional. The Apple Watch relies on the iPhone's camera for photos and videos.
Performance
The Oppo Watch 3 utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset paired with a Cortex-A53 quad-core CPU, providing solid performance for everyday tasks. The Apple Watch Series 8's Apple S8 SiP (System in Package) with its dual-core processor is generally faster and more responsive, especially when handling complex apps and multitasking. Apple's optimization of hardware and software gives it a noticeable edge.
Battery Life
Oppo claims up to 14 days of battery life in power-saving mode for the Watch 3, and 4-6 days with typical usage. The Apple Watch Series 8 typically lasts around 18 hours with moderate use, though low-power mode can extend this. The Oppo Watch 3 generally offers better battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The Oppo Watch 3 is ideal for Android users seeking a feature-rich smartwatch with a large display and good battery life at a more accessible price. The Apple Watch Series 8 is the clear choice for iPhone users prioritizing seamless integration, a vast app selection, and advanced health and fitness features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Oppo Watch 3 compatible with iPhones?
While the Oppo Watch 3 can pair with iPhones, the experience is limited compared to the Apple Watch. You'll miss out on many features and app integrations.
❓ Does the Apple Watch Series 8 have a camera?
No, the Apple Watch Series 8 does not have a built-in camera. It relies on the iPhone for taking photos and videos.
