OnePlus recently unveiled the OnePlus Watch 2 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, Barcelona, one of the biggest consumer tech shows in the world. It marks a comeback of sorts for OnePlus in the smartwatch space. The last time the brand launched a smartwatch was almost three years ago, in 2021. If there was one reason the OnePlus Watch 2 has been trending ever since its launch, it’s OnePlus’ decision to opt for Wear OS 4.0, the latest version of Google’s smartwatch-specific operating system (OS).
OnePlus is not the first brand to make the Wear OS switch. A couple of years ago, we saw Samsung ditch it’s custom OS and opt for Wear OS for its flagship Samsung Galaxy Watch 4. In 2022, Google launched the first version of its own Google Pixel Watch (that didn’t arrive in India). We’re seeing quite a few wearables opt for Google’s Wear OS as a serious alternative to the Apple Watch. The latest version of Wear OS that debuted in May 2023, has seen quite a few enhancements including battery life and an improved user interface for Google Apps. If you’re using an Android smartphone and are looking for a fully loaded smartwatch above Rs 20,000, we round up some of the best smartwatches that are powered by Wear OS:
OnePlus Watch 2
One of our favourite Wear OS smartwatches, OnePlus’s newest wearable delivers serious bang for your buck. We dig the premium design language, the watch seeks design inspiration from the distinctive K-shape design of the OnePlus 12 series. The Watch 2 features a 2.5D sapphire crystal cover, making it more scratch-resistant. We’re partial to the Radiant Steel variant. You can swap watch bands with conventional 22mm watch straps that you use for your fashion watches. OnePlus has chosen a hybrid user experience that integrates Google’s Wear OS with its own custom OS. It opts for a unique Dual-Engine architecture powered by two different flagship chipsets (Snapdragon W5 performance chipset and the BES 2700 MCU Efficiency chipset). One of the highlights is the gorgeous 1.43-inch (466 x 466 pixels / 326PPI) display. This vibrant display is backed by a robust battery – OnePlus claims up to 100 hours with Smart Mode. You get heaps of wellness features including Stress monitoring.
Price: Rs 24,999
Google Pixel Watch 2
We approve of the Google Pixel Watch design language; the first gen Pixel Watch was one of the most stylish wearables of 2022. The Pixel Watch 2 debuted along with the Google Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro for the Indian market. The Pixel Watch 2 sticks to the same design template and comes with some key enhancements. It features a reimagined chassis but the big updates are under the hood. One of the talking points is an all-new processor – Qualcomm 5100 that delivers an improved, 24-hour battery life with the always-on display. Battery life was one of the deal breakers in the first Pixel Watch. The Pixel Watch 2 comes with Google’s new Wear OS 4 and new features like Safety Check.
Price: Rs 34,999
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 comes in four multiple variants. We like the Classic version that comes in 43mm and 47mm options and are crafted in stainless steel. We’re fans of Samsung’s the rotating bezel (on the Classic versions). It’s not just the reassuring click that will please watch enthusiasts, who might be moving from an heirloom watch, but it also makes navigation more intuitive. You also get one of the most gorgeous displays on any smartwatch, while the Sapphire crystal glass makes it more durable. One of our features of the Galaxy Watch 6 duo is the one-click band. These new bands are easy to snap on to the watch and allow you to swap them to customise your look with minimal effort. Samsung claims that the new Exynos W930 chipset and increased RAM (2GB) give the watch an 18% increase in speed over its predecessor.
Price: Rs 29,999 onwards
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5
A solid option under Rs 30,000, the TicWatch Pro 5 sports a round 1.43-inch AMOLED display (466x466 pixels). You get a display with an always-on mode, an ultra-low-power mode, and corning Gorilla anti-fingerprint cover glass protection. Mobvoi claims up to 80 hours of battery life (There’s a 628mAh battery under the hood). The TicWatch comes with interchangeable solid silicone strap. It’s loaded with wellness features including a heart rate sensor, SpO2, and skin temperature sensor. The watch is powered by a Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset complemented with 2GB RAM and 32GB ROM.
Price: Rs 27,999
