The upcoming OnePlus Watch 3, set to launch in April 2025, brings significant improvements to the Android smartwatch landscape, particularly in display technology and battery performance. While the device excels in many areas, testing reveals inconsistencies in its sleep tracking capabilities when compared to leading smart rings.
Revolutionary Display Technology
The OnePlus Watch 3 stands out from other Android smartwatches by addressing a significant but often overlooked issue: screen flickering. Unlike most competitors that use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) dimming—a technique that rapidly switches between full brightness and darkness to simulate lower brightness levels—the OnePlus Watch 3 employs DC dimming. This approach directly reduces voltage to lower brightness without flickering, potentially reducing eye strain, headaches, and nausea that PWM-sensitive users experience. This puts OnePlus in exclusive company with Apple as the only major smartwatch manufacturers offering flicker-free displays, making it a compelling option for users who experience discomfort with traditional AMOLED screens.
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| The Garmin Fenix 8 (left) showcases DC dimming technology, while the COROS PACE Pro (right) utilizes PWM dimming to illustrate the difference in display technology |
Impressive Hardware Specifications
The OnePlus Watch 3 features a stunning 1.5-inch AMOLED display that reaches an impressive 2,200 nits of brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The display utilizes LTPO technology with a variable 1-60Hz refresh rate for smoother animations while preserving battery life. Perhaps most impressive is the watch's exceptional battery performance, offering up to 120 hours (five days) of usage between charges—significantly outperforming most WearOS competitors. The watch also features a classic, attractive design that balances modern smartwatch functionality with traditional timepiece aesthetics.
Sleep Tracking Inconsistencies
Despite its hardware strengths, testing revealed potential issues with the OnePlus Watch 3's sleep tracking accuracy. When compared directly with the Samsung Galaxy Ring—one of the highest-rated sleep tracking devices currently available—the OnePlus Watch 3 showed significant discrepancies in sleep scoring and wake time detection. While both devices recorded similar overall sleep stage patterns during some nights, the OnePlus consistently provided lower sleep scores and sometimes drastically overestimated wake time during sleep sessions. In one particular test, the OnePlus recorded two hours of wakefulness compared to the Samsung Galaxy Ring's more accurate 42 minutes. These inconsistencies suggest that the OnePlus Watch 3's sleep tracking algorithms may need refinement before launch.
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| The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, a competitor in sleep tracking, highlights the discrepancies found in sleep scoring and wake time detection in comparisons with the OnePlus Watch 3 |
Comfort Considerations
As with many smartwatches, the OnePlus Watch 3's size and weight present comfort challenges for sleep tracking compared to smaller, lighter alternatives like smart rings. This physical limitation, combined with the algorithmic inconsistencies, may make the device less ideal for users primarily focused on sleep analysis. However, for those primarily interested in daytime wear who occasionally track sleep, the watch remains a compelling option.
WearOS 5 Integration
Running on WearOS 5, the OnePlus Watch 3 offers the full range of Google's smartwatch ecosystem, including app support, notifications, and smart features. This positions it as a comprehensive smartwatch solution rather than a dedicated fitness or sleep tracker, making its occasional tracking inconsistencies more acceptable for users who prioritize general smartwatch functionality.
Market Position
With its April 2025 launch approaching, the OnePlus Watch 3 enters a competitive smartwatch market with unique advantages. Its exceptional battery life, eye-friendly display technology, and attractive design make it a strong contender in the Android smartwatch space, particularly for users sensitive to screen flickering. While its sleep tracking capabilities may not match specialized devices like smart rings, its overall package represents a significant step forward for OnePlus in the wearable technology segment.