OnePlus Watch Lite Review: A Stylish and Sleek Fitness Tracker Worth Considering

Best Prices Today: Oneplus Watch Lite

£179

The OnePlus Watch Lite paves the way for the smartphone brand, as it ventures into the realm of affordable fitness trackers.

Among the various brands in the Wear OS landscape, OnePlus stands out for its ability to elevate the standards. The OnePlus Watch Lite, a departure from Wear OS, aims to capture the sub-£/€200 market with a blend of fitness tracker functionality and the appearance of a premium smartwatch. This unique approach has largely paid off, as my experience with the device over a week has been positive.

Design & Build

• Super slick design
• Just 8.9mm thick
• 5ATM waterproofing

The Silver Steel variant, which I reviewed, boasts a visually appealing design that stands out. The chassis has a remarkable shine, coupled with a cream-colored watch strap featuring a hint of red stitching near the face, enhancing its aesthetics. The comfort of wearing the watch is notable, thanks to the soft strap and the slim 8.9mm thickness, preventing it from catching on clothing sleeves. The OnePlus Watch Lite’s design creates an impression of a high-end smartwatch, making it a favorable choice for those seeking an affordable fitness tracker with a sophisticated look.

Conversely, the Black Steel option may appear dull to some, reminiscent of the first-generation OnePlus Watch.

Both variants feature IP68 dust and water resistance, along with 5ATM waterproofing, making the Lite suitable for swimming up to certain depths.

Screen & Audio

• 1.45-inch AMOLED display
• Can reach 3000nits
• Built-in mic and speaker for calls

The OnePlus Watch Lite impresses with its 1.45-inch AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and ample space for displaying information without straining the eyes. With a narrow bezel and high peak brightness of up to 3000nits, the display ensures clear visibility even in outdoor settings. This brightness level exceeds that of pricier competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, enhancing outdoor readability. The presence of a built-in microphone and speaker enables convenient call handling on the go, although using earbuds for better call quality is preferable. Despite having music controls, the watch lacks the ability to play music through its speaker, a feature available on some other smartwatches.

The OnePlus Watch Lite’s onboard microphone and speaker allow for calls on the go, with decent audio quality. The absence of music playback through the speaker may be a drawback for some users.

Software & Features

• No Wear OS
• Basic smart features
• Dual-phone connectivity

Prior to using the OnePlus Watch Lite, I anticipated it to run Wear OS, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, offering a cheaper alternative. To my surprise, the watch operates on an in-house fitness-focused operating system, resembling Huawei’s approach. While it took some getting used to, I’ve come to appreciate the Watch Lite for what it offers rather than what it lacks.

The Watch Lite functions more as a fitness tracker disguised as a smartwatch, featuring a user-friendly interface without the complexities of wider ecosystems integration. It includes a few smart features such as calendar access and camera shutter control but lacks extensive capabilities.

The presence of NFC allows for smart lock usage instead of contactless payments, a missed opportunity. Dual-phone connectivity, although unconventional, may benefit users carrying multiple smartphones. However, the necessity for such a feature is debatable given the prevalence of dual-SIM phones, highlighting a potential misallocation of resources.

The OnePlus Watch Lite’s UI is accessible and uncluttered, with a limited range of smart features, making it more suitable for users seeking a fitness tracker with a streamlined interface.

Battery Life & Charging

• Up to 10 days per charge
• Around five days of intensive use
• Charging to full takes 67 minutes

The OnePlus Watch Lite excels in battery life, surpassing its predecessors in longevity. With up to 10 days of usage between charges, the Lite stands out for its impressive endurance, ideal for users accustomed to daily charging routines. Under typical usage conditions, including an always-on display, workout tracking, and notifications, the watch lasted from Friday evening to Wednesday midnight, showcasing remarkable longevity.

Charging the OnePlus Watch Lite to full capacity takes only 67 minutes, with a 30-minute charge reaching 71%, sufficient for several days of use. The charging puck ensures a secure connection, eliminating concerns of detachment during charging.

Price & Availability

The OnePlus Watch Lite debuted in Europe and the UK on December 17th, offering Black Steel and Silver Steel variants at £179/€179 via the official OnePlus Store. As of this review, there are no announcements regarding the availability of the Watch Lite in the US or Australia.

In regions where it is available, the Watch Lite stands as the most affordable device in OnePlus’ wearable lineup, positioned below the OnePlus Watch 2R (£249/$229.99) and the OnePlus Watch 3 (£319/$349.99). It’s worth noting that the Watch 2R occasionally matches or slightly undercuts the Watch Lite’s price, making it advisable to check for any ongoing promotions before making a purchase.

Competing with the Apple Watch SE 3, priced slightly higher at £219/$249, the Watch Lite offers a compelling alternative with its extended battery life and bright display despite lacking advanced smart features.

Should you buy the OnePlus Watch Lite?

Despite initial skepticism over the OnePlus Watch Lite’s departure from Wear OS in favor of an internal fitness-oriented OS, the device has proven to be a commendable choice for users seeking a fitness tracker with the appearance of a refined smartwatch. While lacking third-party app support, the Watch Lite may not appeal to all users, especially against more feature-rich options like the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE and Apple Watch SE 3. However, for those prioritizing fitness tracking over extensive smart features, the OnePlus Watch Lite offers a compelling package.

With its exceptional battery life, bright AMOLED display, and comfortable design, the OnePlus Watch Lite signifies a significant advancement in fitness trackers. Although alternatives like the CMF Watch 3 Pro cater to budget-conscious consumers, the Watch Lite’s waterproof construction and comprehensive health tracking features justify the slightly higher price point.

Specs

• 44.98 x 44.98 x 8.9mm
• 59g (35g without the watch strap)
• 1.46-inch display
• AMOLED
• 3000nits peak brightness
• Dual-band GPS
• 10-day battery life
• Bluetooth 5.2
• NFC (limited)
• Dual-phone connectivity
• Temperature sensor