The smartwatch market is increasingly competitive, with Oppo challenging Apple's dominance. We pit the Oppo Watch X, powered by Qualcomm's efficient Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, against the Apple Watch Series 9, featuring Apple's latest S9 chip. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications for users.
🏆 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 Oppo Watch X 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 | 2024, February 29 | 2023, September 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, March 04 | 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 x 46.6 x 12.1 mm (1.85 x 1.83 x 0.48 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 49 g (1.73 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 (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.43 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | AMOLED, 1000 nits (HBM) | Retina LTPO OLED, 2000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Apple S9 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | Android Wear OS 4 | 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 | 5.0, 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 | 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 | 500 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Platinum Black, Brown | Graphite, Silver, Gold, Red |
| Models | OWWE231 | A2982, A2984, A2983, A2985, Watch7,3, Watch7,4 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | About 630 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) |
Oppo Watch X
- Potentially longer battery life due to Snapdragon W5 Gen 1's efficiency.
- Android ecosystem integration.
- Likely more affordable price point.
- Limited information on display specifications.
- Less established health feature ecosystem compared to Apple.
Apple Watch Series 9
- Tight integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Advanced health features (ECG, Blood Oxygen).
- Faster charging (0-80% in 45 minutes).
- Higher price point.
- Limited compatibility with Android devices.
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided for the Oppo Watch X, it's reasonable to assume a high-resolution AMOLED panel given Oppo's smartphone offerings. The Apple Watch Series 9 likely features an LTPO display, enabling variable refresh rates for improved power efficiency. The S9 chip's display controller likely optimizes this further. The absence of detailed Oppo Watch X display specs makes a direct comparison difficult, but Apple's LTPO technology provides a clear advantage in power management and potentially smoother animations.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is primarily marketed for its camera capabilities, and detailed camera specs are unavailable for the Oppo Watch X. Smartwatches generally feature limited camera functionality. This section is therefore less relevant for a direct comparison.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Watch X utilizes the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1, a dedicated wearable platform known for its efficiency. The Apple Watch Series 9 employs Apple’s dual-core S9 chip. While core count isn’t everything, Apple’s chip benefits from tight hardware-software integration and custom silicon design. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 provides excellent power efficiency, potentially leading to longer battery life, but the S9 likely delivers superior raw processing power for complex tasks and faster app loading times. The Apple S9’s Neural Engine also accelerates machine learning tasks, enhancing features like fall detection and activity recognition.
Battery Life
The Oppo Watch X features 7.5W wired charging, suggesting a focus on relatively quick top-ups. The Apple Watch Series 9 offers wireless charging, reaching 80% charge in 45 minutes. While the Apple Watch’s charging speed is faster to 80%, the overall battery life will depend on the mAh capacity of each device (not provided). The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1’s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the Oppo Watch X, providing comparable or even better real-world endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Watch X if you need a powerful, efficient smartwatch that seamlessly integrates with the Android ecosystem and prioritizes battery life. It's ideal for fitness tracking and everyday use without the Apple ecosystem lock-in. Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 if you prefer a refined user experience, advanced health monitoring capabilities (like ECG and blood oxygen), and tight integration with other Apple devices. It’s the best choice for iPhone users invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 in the Oppo Watch X offer sufficient performance for demanding apps?
The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 is a dedicated wearable platform designed for efficiency and responsiveness. While it may not match the raw processing power of the Apple S9, it provides ample performance for typical smartwatch tasks like fitness tracking, notifications, and basic app usage. It's optimized for low power consumption, ensuring a smooth user experience without significant battery drain.
❓ How does the Apple Watch Series 9's S9 chip improve upon previous generations in terms of health tracking?
The Apple S9 chip features an enhanced Neural Engine that accelerates machine learning tasks, leading to more accurate and responsive health tracking. This includes improvements to fall detection, activity recognition, and potentially more nuanced analysis of health data collected by the watch's sensors. The S9 also enables features like double tap gesture control.
❓ Is the 7.5W charging speed of the Oppo Watch X significantly slower than the Apple Watch Series 9's wireless charging?
While 7.5W is slower than the Apple Watch Series 9's wireless charging, the overall charging time difference may not be substantial. The Snapdragon W5 Gen 1's efficiency could mean the Oppo Watch X requires less frequent charging, mitigating the impact of the slower charging speed. The Apple Watch reaches 80% in 45 minutes, but full charge times aren't specified for either device.
