The OnePlus Watch 2R is one of the most affordable Android smartwatches with a dual-chip architecture.
The OnePlus Watch 2R is a fusion of durability and style. It has the same essence as the OnePlus Watch 2, but at a price that won’t break the bank. It is built in lightweight aluminum, cleverly cutting the production cost and making it more budget-friendly. This also gave the watch a better design look than its predecessor.
The OnePlus Watch 2R was released in July 2024, six months after the release of its flagship OnePlus Watch 2. The watch is priced at $229 making it much cheaper and affordable. Fortunately, OnePlus decided to not add an endless rotating crown button like the earlier model. Now, the crown button only has the option to click it, not the one where you mindlessly scroll it without any function.
Inside the Key Features of the OnePlus 2R
The OnePlus Watch 2R has a long battery life, lighter weight, and several workout tracking options. The company has tried its best to include all the features of its predecessor at a much lower cost.
Display
The OnePlus Watch 2R features a bright AMOLED display for easy and amazing visuals. The screen also makes the visuals clear in all kinds of lighting. There is a large difference when it comes to design as the OnePlus Watch 2R has an aluminum alloy chassis and silicon straps unlike the stainless steel of the OnePlus Watch 2 making it more of a sports aesthetic.
Battery Life
The 2R has a long battery life as it can work for three straight days with one-time charging. Samsung and Apple smartwatches have a maximum battery life of one and a half days which gives an upper hand to the OnePlus Watch 2R. Without GPS running in the background, the battery can stay much longer. So, you will need to charge the device only for 2-3 times a week.
Weight
OnePlus Watch 2R weighs much lighter than its predecessor OnePlus Watch 2. While the Watch 2 weighed around 49 grams without its straps, the OnePlus Watch 2R weighs only 37 grams. Anyone who has used the earlier model can easily notice the difference in weight between both models. The lighter weight makes the OnePlus Watch 2R more convenient to use.
Sports Mode
The OnePlus Watch 2R offers a ton of workout options, from jump rope and dog walking to ten different types of yoga. However, it surprisingly skips high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which is a big miss since HIIT is super popular, second only to traditional workouts based on recent searches. It’s funny that you can track kite flying and tug-of-war, but not one of the hottest fitness trends!
App
OnePlus’ health app, OHealth, feels a bit basic compared to competitors like Samsung Health, Fitbit, and Apple Health. While it offers a sleep score and lets you track daily progress easily, it lacks deeper insights and trends on the main dashboard. As wearables become smarter, simply showing fitness stats isn’t enough anymore, people want real-time insights to make a difference in their day-to-day lives.
Issues with the OnePlus 2R
The biggest issue with the OnePlus Watch 2R is its big size. The watch is only available in one big size which turns out to be uncomfortable for people with small wrists. Users have the same issue with its predecessor and OnePlus didn’t work on making the size smaller for OnePlus Watch 2R.
The OnePlus Watch 2R claims to be focused on the physical fitness of its users. However, you can only wear this watch comfortably while working out, if you have a big wrist or you like having big round watches which becomes a point of attraction. Additionally, the heart rate monitor isn’t always as accurate as it should be. Every time you would need an actual heart rate you would need to move the watch a little above on wrist and position it perfectly.
Overall, the OnePlus Watch 2R can be a great choice coming with an affordable price, long battery life, and several workout tracking options. The only catch? You’ll be sporting a bold, oversized watch that makes a statement!