The smartwatch market is booming, and two contenders stand out: the Oppo Watch 3 and the Apple Watch Ultra. Both offer premium features and sleek designs, but cater to different ecosystems and user needs. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one deserves a spot on your wrist.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Ultra dominates in performance, ecosystem integration, and ruggedness, justifying its premium price. The Oppo Watch 3 offers a compelling alternative with a larger screen, Wear OS, and a more accessible price point, especially for Android users seeking a stylish and feature-rich smartwatch.
| 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 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame |
| Dimensions | 43 x 37 x 11.7 mm (1.69 x 1.46 x 0.46 in) | 49 x 44 x 14.4 mm (1.93 x 1.73 x 0.57 in) |
| SIM | eSIM (market/region dependent) | eSIM |
| Weight | 31.9 g (1.13 oz) | 61.3 g (2.15 oz) |
| | 5ATM water resistant | IP6X certified
100m water resistant (WR100)
40m swimproof/diving (EN13319)
MIL-STD 810H certified
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 372 x 430 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 502 x 410 pixels (~338 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.75 inches | 1.92 inches |
| Type | 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 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 |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers (86-decibel) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 (water) |
| | - | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Depth gauge (±1m accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless, 0-80% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 400 mAh | Li-Ion 542 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Titanium |
| Models | - | A2684, A2622, A2859, watch6,18 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) |
Oppo Watch 3
- Larger Display
- Wear OS Functionality
- More Affordable
- Good Battery Life
- Stylish Design
- Slower Performance
- Less Seamless iOS Integration
- Camera Quality Could Be Better
Apple Watch Ultra
- Superior Performance
- Seamless iOS Integration
- Rugged Design & Durability
- Advanced Health Tracking
- Bright Display
- High Price
- Limited Android Compatibility
- No Dedicated Camera
Display Comparison
The Oppo Watch 3 boasts a larger 1.75-inch AMOLED display, offering more screen real estate for viewing information. The Apple Watch Ultra features a slightly smaller, but incredibly bright 49mm display, optimized for outdoor visibility. Both displays are vibrant and sharp, but the Oppo's size advantage is noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch excels in camera quality. The Oppo Watch 3 has a 13MP camera, while the Apple Watch Ultra lacks a dedicated camera entirely. Both are primarily for quick snapshots, and image quality is generally underwhelming.
Performance
The Apple Watch Ultra, powered by the Apple S8 chip, delivers significantly faster and smoother performance compared to the Oppo Watch 3's Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 and Cortex-A53 combination. App loading times are quicker, animations are more fluid, and overall responsiveness is superior on the Apple Watch Ultra.
Battery Life
The Oppo Watch 3 generally offers longer battery life, typically lasting 2-3 days on a single charge. The Apple Watch Ultra, despite its larger battery, typically lasts around 36 hours with normal use, and up to 60 hours in low-power mode. The 60-minute 0-80% wireless charging is a plus for the Ultra.
Buying Guide
The Oppo Watch 3 is ideal for Android users who want a stylish smartwatch with Wear OS, a large display, and good battery life without breaking the bank. The Apple Watch Ultra is the clear choice for iPhone users prioritizing top-tier performance, advanced health tracking, extreme durability, and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Oppo Watch 3 compatible with iPhones?
While the Oppo Watch 3 runs Wear OS, its iOS integration is limited compared to the Apple Watch Ultra. You can receive notifications, but functionality is restricted.
❓ Is the Apple Watch Ultra worth the extra cost?
If you're an iPhone user and prioritize performance, durability, and advanced health features, the Apple Watch Ultra is a worthwhile investment. However, if you're on a budget or primarily an Android user, the Oppo Watch 3 offers a compelling alternative.
