OnePlus Watch Lite: A Month-Long Review of the Affordable Smartwatch
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OnePlus entered the smartwatch arena last year wiht the OnePlus Watch Lite, a new wearable designed too deliver health tracking, sleek aesthetics, and remarkable battery life at a competitive price point. After a month of testing, the device proves to be a compelling option for users seeking a comfortable and capable everyday companion, though with some notable software limitations.
Design and Comfort: Lightweight and Stylish
The OnePlus Watch Lite immediately stands out for its design. Testers noted its modern aesthetic, falling somewhere between sporty and elegant, and were especially impressed by its lightness – weighing just 35.1 grams. The watch features an 8.9 mm thick body and a 1.46-inch round screen, making it comfortable for all-day wear without feeling bulky or cumbersome. As one reviewer stated, it “fits very easily to each user and that allow it to be worn daily without hardly feeling it.”
The body of the watch is constructed from stainless steel, available in silver (“plata”) and black (“negro”). A prominent crown on the upper right side functions as a button, while a sensor on the lower margin of the same side facilitates health measurements.The strap, made of a comfortable, rubbery material, features subtle orange stitching on the silver model and is easily interchangeable with standard 22mm straps.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting Performance
With a 330 mAh battery, the watch offers up to 10 days of autonomy with light use.In practical testing, with approximately four workouts per week, notification management, and health tracking, the watch consistently exceeded seven days of battery life.
Furthermore,the watch supports fast charging,reaching 80% charge in under an hour. A mere 10 minutes of charging can provide over a day of use. While convenient, the charging cable itself is described as somewhat flimsy compared to those found with more premium smartwatches.
Health and Sports Tracking: Comprehensive Monitoring
OnePlus emphasizes health tracking with features like the ECG2 app and a “wellness scan” function. This scan, completed in 60 seconds, measures up to 12 health aspects, including heart rate, blood oxygen, arterial stiffness, and breathing, using the side sensor. The watch also tracks sleep, menstrual cycles, and offers breathing exercises for relaxation. All data is presented in easy-to-understand graphs.
For fitness enthusiasts, the OnePlus Watch Lite offers over 100 sports modes, including running, swimming, and cycling, with metrics like pace and calories burned. It also incorporates a Dual band GPS (L1/L5) for accurate location tracking. While precise in its measurements, the watch is not intended for professional athletes or highly specialized sports.
Software Experience: Simple, But Limited
The OnePlus Watch Lite runs on OxygenOS Watch 7.1, providing a simple and intuitive user experience. The application menu is clear and accessible, navigated via the crown button. Swiping left or right on the main dial reveals various apps and health/sports information. Multiple watch face options allow for customization.
However, the software has limitations. Notably, the absence of a Play Store prevents the installation of new applications beyond those pre-integrated. Replying to messages from apps like WhatsApp is not possible,with notifications limited to text display. The calendar app also falls short, only showing future events from a paired smartphone. Despite including an NFC system and Wallet application, mobile payments are not supported.
Despite these limitations, the OnePlus Watch Lite is compatible with both iOS and Android devices – a first for OnePlus. Users will need to install the OHealth app to connect and manage the watch’s features.
The Verdict: A Competitive Option for Everyday Use
available for 179 euros, the OnePlus Watch Lite presents a compelling value proposition for users seeking a comfortable, feature-rich smartwatch for daily wear and regular health/sports monitoring. While it doesn’t aim to replace a smartphone or cater to professional athletes, it effectively delivers on its promise of a lightweight, long-lasting, and affordable wearable experience.
