OnePlus Watch 3 vs OnePlus Watch 4 – which is the best choice?
In recent years, OnePlus has steadily strengthened its position in the smartwatch market. While the early OnePlus Watches were mainly attractive because of their competitive pricing, the brand is now clearly targeting the premium segment. The OnePlus Watch 3 already showed that OnePlus is serious about competing with major players such as Samsung and Apple.
With the launch of the OnePlus Watch 4, the company takes another step forward. The latest smartwatch keeps the popular circular design, but brings improvements in battery life, performance, health tracking, and smart features.
On paper, the OnePlus Watch 3 and OnePlus Watch 4 look very similar. Both models feature Wear OS, an AMOLED display, advanced fitness tracking, and a premium build. However, there are still some clear differences between them.
So is the newer OnePlus Watch 4 worth the extra investment, or does the OnePlus Watch 3 remain the better choice thanks to its lower price? In this comparison, we take a closer look at both smartwatches.
Specification overview: OnePlus Watch 3 vs OnePlus Watch 4
| Specification | OnePlus Watch 3 (46mm) | OnePlus Watch 4 (47mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Operating system | Wear OS | Wear OS |
| Case size | 46 mm | 47 mm |
| Display | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.5 inches | 1.5 inches |
| Resolution | 466 × 466 pixels | 466 × 466 pixels |
| Brightness | Up to 2200 nits | Up to 2500 nits |
| Screen material | Sapphire crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Case material | Stainless steel | Titanium / stainless steel combination |
| Weight | Approx. 49 g (without strap) | Approx. 50 g (without strap) |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM + IP68 | 5 ATM + IP68 |
| Processor | Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 + BES2800 | Improved Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 2 GB | 2 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| GPS | Dual-frequency GPS | Dual-frequency GPS |
| Battery life | Up to 120 hours | Up to 140 hours |
| ECG | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Wear OS apps | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Display (type, size and brightness)
Both the OnePlus Watch 3 and OnePlus Watch 4 feature a large circular AMOLED display. These smartwatches are designed with a premium look and deliver a high resolution, ensuring that text, apps, and fitness data appear sharp and easy to read.
OnePlus Watch 3
The OnePlus Watch 3 comes with:
- 1.5-inch AMOLED display
- 466 × 466 pixel resolution
- Sapphire crystal glass
- Maximum brightness of around 2200 nits
The display is highly readable in almost all lighting conditions. Thanks to the sapphire crystal, it is also well protected against scratches.
OnePlus Watch 4
The OnePlus Watch 4 uses a very similar AMOLED panel, but OnePlus has improved the brightness even further.
Improvements include:
- Up to 2500 nits peak brightness
- More efficient display technology
- Better visibility in direct sunlight
For everyday use, the differences are relatively small, but outdoor sports users will especially benefit from the brighter display.
Design (colours, weight and dimensions)
In terms of design, both OnePlus Watches stick to a classic round watch aesthetic. This makes them feel more like traditional wristwatches rather than tech gadgets.
OnePlus Watch 3
The OnePlus Watch 3 features:
- 46 mm case
- Stainless steel body
- Rotating crown
- Premium metal finish
Available colours:
- Black Steel
- Emerald Titanium
Due to its size, the Watch 3 is best suited for medium to larger wrists.
OnePlus Watch 4
The OnePlus Watch 4 comes with a slightly larger 47 mm case.
Improvements include:
- More premium materials
- Stronger titanium finish
- New colour combinations
Available colours:
- Black Steel
- Silver Steel
This gives the Watch 4 a more refined, luxury classic watch feel.
Dimensions and weight
| OnePlus Watch 3 | OnePlus Watch 4 | |
| Diameter | 46 mm | 47 mm |
| Thickness | Approx. 12 mm | Approx. 12 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 49 g | Approx. 50 g |
The difference in weight is barely noticeable in everyday use.
Overall, the differences are small, but the newer materials give the OnePlus Watch 4 a more premium finish.
Battery life: OnePlus Watch 3 vs OnePlus Watch 4
One of the biggest strengths of OnePlus smartwatches is battery life. While many Wear OS smartwatches last only one to two days, OnePlus manages to deliver significantly better endurance.
OnePlus Watch 3
Battery life:
- Up to 120 hours of normal use
- Up to 72 hours of heavy use
- Up to 16 days in power-saving mode
Thanks to its dual-processor setup, the Watch 3 intelligently switches between performance and power efficiency.
OnePlus Watch 4
The OnePlus Watch 4 goes a step further:
- Up to 140 hours of normal use
- Longer battery life thanks to more efficient hardware
- Faster charging
For many users, this means the smartwatch only needs to be charged once or twice per week.
Sensors and health tracking
Both models come equipped with a comprehensive set of sensors designed for health and fitness tracking.
OnePlus Watch 3
The OnePlus Watch 3 includes:
- Optical heart rate sensor
- Blood oxygen (SpO₂) sensor
- Skin temperature sensor
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Barometer
- Compass
- Dual-frequency GPS
- Ambient light sensor
OnePlus Watch 4
The OnePlus Watch 4 builds on this with:
- Improved health sensor suite
- More accurate heart rate tracking
- Enhanced temperature measurements
- ECG sensor
This next-generation sensor setup makes the Watch 4 particularly appealing for users who want more in-depth health monitoring.
Health features
Health tracking has become a core part of modern smartwatches, and both the OnePlus Watch 3 and Watch 4 offer a wide range of detailed health metrics.
Both models can measure:
- Heart rate throughout the day
- Resting heart rate
- Blood oxygen levels
- Stress levels
- Sleep quality
- Sleep stages
- Breathing during sleep
- Workout recovery
- Calorie burn
- Daily activity levels
Additional features on the OnePlus Watch 4
ECG heart monitoring
The Watch 4 can perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), giving users deeper insight into their heart rhythm.
Improved sleep analysis
The latest generation provides more detailed sleep tracking and recovery insights.
More accurate measurements
Thanks to upgraded sensors, both resting and active measurements are more reliable.
Sports features
Both watches are well-equipped for fitness enthusiasts.
The OnePlus Watch 3 supports more than 100 sport modes, including:
- Running
- Walking
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Skiing
- Tennis
- Badminton
- Rowing
- Hiking
- Elliptical training
- Skipping rope
For runners, additional advanced metrics are available such as:
- Cadence
- Stride length
- Ground contact time
- Running power
- Vertical oscillation
The OnePlus Watch 4 retains all of these sport features and combines them with a more modern software experience. This makes the overall feel slightly smoother and more refined during workouts and daily use.
However, for most serious athletes, the differences between the two models remain relatively small.
Smartwatch features
In terms of smart functionality, both models rank among the most complete Wear OS smartwatches available today.
Features available on both models
- Google Wear OS
- Bluetooth calling
- Google Wallet
- Google Maps
- Google Play Store
- Music storage
- Notifications
- Message replies
- NFC payments
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 5.2
OnePlus Watch 4 advantage
The OnePlus Watch 4 runs Wear OS 6 out of the box and supports Google Gemini. This makes it better prepared for upcoming AI-driven features and enhancements.
Price
OnePlus Watch 3
The official recommended retail price of the OnePlus Watch 3 is £349
OnePlus Watch 4
At the time of writing, OnePlus has not yet confirmed an official European retail price on its website. However, some retailers already list it from around £289, making it cheaper than the older model.
Where the OnePlus Watch 3 is better
- A proven model with plenty of real-world user feedback
- Very similar health and sports features compared to the Watch 4
- Wider availability in the market
Where the OnePlus Watch 4 is better
- Lower price
- Newer generation
- Wear OS 6 out of the box
- Google Gemini support
- Higher peak brightness up to 3000 nits
- Full titanium build
- Slimmer and lighter design despite a larger case
Conclusion
The differences between the OnePlus Watch 3 and OnePlus Watch 4 are smaller than you might expect. When it comes to battery life, health tracking, sports features and everyday smartwatch functionality, both models are very closely matched.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest difference between the OnePlus Watch 3 and Watch 4?
The main differences are the design, higher display brightness, the full titanium case, and the addition of Wear OS 6 with Google Gemini on the OnePlus Watch 4.
Does the OnePlus Watch 4 have better battery life?
No. According to OnePlus, both models offer up to 5 days of battery life in smart mode and up to 16 days in power-saving mode.
What watch straps are compatible with the OnePlus Watch 3 and Watch 4?
Both models use 22mm quick release straps, making them easy to replace. You can find a wide range of compatible straps for the OnePlus Watch 4 and the OnePlus Watch 3. Note that the OnePlus Watch 3 also comes in a smaller 43mm version, which uses 18mm straps, meaning they are not interchangeable with the larger models.
Can I make calls on both models?
Yes. Both the OnePlus Watch 3 and OnePlus Watch 4 support Bluetooth calling when connected to a smartphone.
Do both models have GPS?
Yes. Both watches feature dual-frequency GPS (L1 + L5), ensuring highly accurate location tracking during sports activities.
