Look, I’ll be straight with you – when OnePlus dropped their original Watch 3, I had mixed feelings. Sure, the tech was solid, but let’s talk about the elephant in the room: that thing was a chunky beast that looked like it belonged on a more masculine wrist, not mine. Well, guess what? OnePlus actually listened, and their new Watch 3 43mm recently dropped, and it’s basically everything the original should have been.
Finally, a OnePlus Watch That Doesn’t Eat Your Wrist
The 43mm version fixes the issues had with the OnePlus Watch 3’s masculine design and oversized case completely. At just 1.3 ounces with a 1.32-inch display, the 43mm is not only more compact, but it’s more minimalist and unisex in appearance.
OnePlus clearly went back to the drawing board with this one. The 43mm sports a much cleaner, more minimalist approach than its bigger sibling. That 2.5D micro-curved crystal flows into a stainless steel frame with an elevated digital crown. It has this whole “timeless aesthetics meets never settle” vibe going on, and it works.
The watch comes in a choice of Black Steel and Silver Steel, and both look professional enough for meetings while still being sporty enough for weekend adventures. No complaints there.
But here’s where I’m gonna be real with you–Google’s Pixel Watch 3 still takes the crown for minimalist design. There’s something about that smooth, pebble-like form factor that just feels more refined. The OnePlus is definitely moving in the right direction, but it’s not quite there yet in terms of pure design elegance.
Battery Life: Where OnePlus is Winning
Now here’s where things get interesting. Remember how the Pixel Watch 3 basically needs to be charged every day if you actually use it? Yeah, that’s always been Google’s Achilles heel. The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm absolutely demolishes the Pixel Watch 3 in battery life, and I’m talking significantly better performance – up to 5 days in Smart mode and up to 16 days in Power Saver mode. We’re talking multiple days of real-world use versus barely making it through one full day of heavy use with the Pixel Watch 3.
The Health Stuff Actually Matters
OnePlus loaded this thing with their “Mind & Body Evaluation” system, which sounds like marketing speak but actually delivers some useful insights. The real-time barometer checking your fatigue every 30 minutes? That’s actually pretty clever. I’ve been getting these little nudges throughout the day that genuinely help me realize when I’m pushing too hard.
The stress tracking is solid too. Instead of just telling you “hey, you’re stressed” (thanks, Captain Obvious), it actually tries to identify patterns and triggers. When things spike, you can launch guided breathing sessions right from the watch, and it gives you real-time feedback on how your body’s responding. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s thoughtfully implemented.
The Not-So-Great Stuff
Let’s talk about that included band for a second. The OnePlus Watch 3 43MM comes with a fluoroelastomer strap that can become irritating to your skin extended wear, and there’s even a warning in the box. It’s not a dealbreaker since you can swap bands easily, but for a premium watch, the included strap should be something you actually want to wear long-term.
Bottom Line: Actually Worth Your Money
The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is a genuinely excellent Wear OS smartwatch that gives the Pixel Watch 3 some serious competition. Better battery life, solid health features, and a size that won’t make you look ridiculous – that’s a winning combination.
Do I still prefer the Pixel Watch 3’s overall design language? Absolutely. And I’d still like to see a 41mm option from OnePlus, even if OnePlus has to scrap the digital crown to do so. But when you factor in that battery life advantage and the fact that OnePlus finally figured out how to make a watch that doesn’t overwhelm smaller wrists, this becomes a really compelling option.
The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm is available now for $299, launching alongside their new Buds 4. At this point, OnePlus is clearly serious about the wearable space, and honestly? It’s about time. This watch proves OnePlus can deliver flagship Wear OS features without the flagship bulk, and that’s exactly what the market needed more of.