Gone are the days when leading tech brands would unveil their new products at glamorous launch events at trade shows like CES, MWC, or IFA after generating a lot of hype in the rumor mill.
Well, not exactly. Some companies still follow that tradition, but for some reason, OnePlus decided to give us a sneak peek of its next-gen smartwatch between the usual rumor cycle and a “grand entrance” that is now officially set to happen in Barcelona on February 26 during the 2024 edition of the Mobile World Congress.
Here’s everything we know about the OnePlus Watch 2
The OnePlus Watch 2 was already leaked in great detail back in November 2023, and just yesterday, the manufacturer teased it with a contest that you can still join for a chance to win this device. Today, the OnePlus Watch 2 is revealed in full glory and high quality in both a 6-second promotional video and a couple of still images.
This is a very unusual and unconventional way to confirm a product launch event that is still almost a week away, even for a company that is known for its unorthodox marketing strategies.
The OnePlus Watch 2 is described as the “perfect companion for the OnePlus 12 series,” and it will come in stunning “Black Steel” and “Radiant Steel” color options. These not only sound (and look) incredibly luxurious, but they also show the premium build material that this upcoming wearable will use to differentiate itself from the aluminum-made Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and the extra-durable titanium-made Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.
Of course, it should be easy to tell this device apart from the Pixel Watch 2, which is also made from stainless steel. The most noticeable and striking design element of the OnePlus Watch 2 is the totally funky and original side button housing, but the manufacturer expects the “industry-leading” battery life to impress you the most.
That’s a bold claim to make for a Wear OS device, and to support it, OnePlus says its second smartwatch attempt will be able to last up to 100 hours without a charge in “full Smart Mode.” While that’s a big number for a Wear OS device that could also surpass what the Apple Watch Series 9 can do in the same area, 100 hours is nothing compared to the battery life of Garmin Forerunners, for example.
Many questions are still unanswered
Although Google’s wearable software platform is mentioned in the previous paragraph (twice), it’s interesting to note that today’s OnePlus Watch 2 “introduction” does not include any direct (or even indirect) Wear OS reference. But several tipsters are confident that this is the software route OnePlus will take after trying something different with the first-gen OnePlus Watch and not quite hitting the mark.
Like Google’s own enhanced Pixel Watch 2 follow-up to a rather disappointing debut Apple Watch competitor, the OnePlus Watch 2 is widely anticipated but not yet verified to pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor.
Other important details that you may have to wait until February 26 to get official confirmation on include things like screen size and resolution, the range and depth of the health monitoring features, and most importantly, the pricing structure of this next big contender for the title of best smartwatch money can buy in 2024. That is, of course, if OnePlus can actually keep a secret for six more days.
According to the latest reports, the OnePlus Watch 2 will also support wireless charging, NFC payments, and LTE connectivity, making it a more versatile and convenient device than its predecessor. The OnePlus Watch 2 is also rumored to have a circular AMOLED display with a 1.4-inch diameter and a 454 x 454 resolution, as well as a SpO2 sensor, a heart rate monitor, and a GPS tracker. The OnePlus Watch 2 is expected to cost around $300, which is slightly more expensive than the original OnePlus Watch but still cheaper than some of its rivals.