Google Watch 2 vs OnePlus Watch 2, have you decided what’s set to be your next buy? There might be factors on either side pushing you to make a decision but the minor differences between gadgets often make it difficult to commit to any device. It’s been a while since the Google Pixel Watch 2 release date on October 4, 2024, and we’ve had some time to really see how the watch performs during daily use. The OnePlus Watch 2 release date has been more recent, launching on February 26, 2024, during the MWC event. It might feel a little risky to invest in the newer device considering the company’s previous watch release was a pretty well-acknowledged disappointment but the OnePlus Watch 2 battery and its other features are worth a review.
Let’s understand the specs of the Google Watch 2 vs the OnePlus Watch 2 and see what feels right to you.
Presenting the OnePlus Watch 2 on the left and the Google Watch 2 on the right.
Google Watch 2 vs OnePlus Watch 2: Smart Wearable Are Here To Stay
Google is pretty well-renowned for making technology that lasts even if it often comes at a significant cost to your wallet. The Google Pixel Watch 2 release date was followed by largely positive reviews as many were pleasantly surprised to see it within the reasonable price range for what these smartwatches sell for. While the OnePlus Watch 2 price is definitely lower, there are some features you might need to compromise on so a full review might be in order to make a fully informed decision on which one is better.
Google Watch 2 vs OnePlus Watch 2 Internal Specifications
An interesting aspect of the OnePlus Watch 2 specifications is its reliance on a dual-engine architecture. The device is powered by the Snapdragon W5 and BES 2700 chipsets which divide tasks between them for power management and processing. The BES 2700 chipset remains on at all times, handling a majority of the tasks on the device, while the Snapdragon W5 processor comes into play when critical elements of the Wear OS 4 are engaged. The Wear OS 4 upgrade is a big aspect of why the OnePlus Watch 2 is better than its predecessor, the new OS allowing for greater device useability and customization through the tiles.
It goes without saying the Pixel Watch 2 also supports the Wear OS so that isn’t necessarily just a OnePlus feature. Interestingly, the Pixel Watch 2 specifications are also built on a Quad-core Snapdragon Wear 5100 processor and a Cortex M33 co-processor. The Cortex processors handle background tasks and other low-power processing tasks to help conserve battery life. Considering the Google Watch 2 vs OnePlus Watch 2, the OnePlus Watch 2 processors do appear to do a better job of handling heavy tasks considering its support for a much more superior battery life.
Comparing the Design Specs of the Google Watch 2 vs OnePlus Watch 2
Looking at the OnePlus Watch 2 specifications in terms of the design, the device has a massive 1.43-inch AMOLED screen that supports 466×466 resolution and 326PPI, protected by a 2.5D Sapphire Crystal surface. The watch has a 600 nits peak brightness which makes it just about sufficient for outdoor use. The device has two buttons on the right side that have an odd angle to them that are more noticeable when you look at it from the side but aren’t so odd as to draw notice when you look at it on your wrist—they’re just a little unusual. There are two design options, Black steel and Radiant steel and all things considered, it gives off a more rugged and masculine appeal than the smooth design of the Google Watch 2.
Circling back to the Pixel Watch 2 specifications for design, the smaller 1.2-inch 320PPI AMOLED display with DCI-P3 color allows for 384×384 pixels resolution and peak brightness up to 1,000 nits. Protected by a custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 it is likely to have better resistance to any serious damage to your screen than the OnePlus Watch 2 but if the review by The Verge is any indication, it’s not all that resilient. The buttons on the Google Pixel Watch 2 are interesting as well. One button lays flush with the side of the device while the scroll wheel, while very prominent in the design, stands out in a way that’s centered and doesn’t look out of place.
There are four color combinations available—Polished silver aluminum case with a bay active band, a matte black aluminum case with an obsidian active band, a champagne gold aluminum case with a hazel active band, and a polished silver aluminum case with a porcelain active band. All this to say the watch is available in baby blue, black, gray, and white.
The OnePlus Watch 2
OnePlus Watch 2 is Bigger and Heavier Than You’d Expect
Weighing 49g even without the band, the OnePlus Watch 2 is an unignorable weight on your wrist. It isn’t inconvenient but the size and weight both make it a noticeable device compared to the more unassuming Google Pixel Watch 2 which weighs 31g without the band. The screen is much bigger on the OnePlus so if you want to see more at a glance, you might prefer it, but for people with smaller wrists, the dial can span the entire width of it and look a little awkward. Conversely, the Pixel screen is almost too small and it has a bezel that shouldn’t have taken up as much space as it does. It can be quite inconvenient for those with weaker eyes to read on the screen or for those with more clumsy fingers to scroll.
If you’re looking for something that draws attention, the Google Watch 2 vs OnePlus Watch 2 settles with a win for OnePlus. Otherwise, there is something about the smooth design of the Google Pixel Watch 2 that we can’t stop obsessing over, a round screen that, despite being small, is uniquely different from other smartwatches on the market.
It’s an Easy Win For the OnePlus Watch 2 Battery Against the Google Watch 2
The OnePlus Watch 2 battery capacity is set at 500mAh and it promises between 48 to 100-hour battery life depending on the mode you use it in. The power saver mode can extend the device to 12 days of use but it’s unlikely you’ll be using the device with all of its critical elements powered down. The battery life is the main attraction of the watch for those who know there will be heavy, continuous use of the device. The OnePlus Watch 2 Battery can be fully charged in 60 minutes so even when you do need to put it down, it doesn’t have to be for long.
The Pixel Watch 2 battery has 306 mAh capacity and promises 24 hours of use with the Always-on feature enabled. It also has the power to charge fully in 60 minutes but with constant use, you will likely have to charge the smartwatch at the end of the day, every single day. This is an upgrade from the first Pixel watch but it still isn’t ideal.
The Google Pixel Watch 2
What Features Can You Look Forward to With the Two Smartwatches?
A key deciding factor between the Google Watch 2 vs the OnePlus Watch 2 may be the exploration of what you can do with each one. Both have a 5ATM IP68 rating so temporary water exposure should not be an issue with either device. The OnePlus Watch 2 is aired with the OHealth app and tracks various activities like badminton, cycling, tennis, etc. The key focus is the tracking of outdoor activity, with sensors measuring your pace, cadence, distance, etc. For hikers, cyclists, runners, etc. the device should be a very useful companion. Paired with an efficient GPS, the device is designed for the outdoors. It does have a couple of health trackers built-in as well—heart rate, VO2 Max, blood oxygen levels (SpO2), sleep quality, snoring risk data, etc. There’s no fall detection, however.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 is just as efficient at all of these tasks but with its AI heart rate algorithm and other trackers, it seems to provide a slightly more efficient reading every time. Being able to use Fitbit’s Body Response feature is an added benefit of the Pixel Watch 2, especially for those who are actively trying to bring their stress levels down and want it monitored regularly. There is also a safety signal feature to alert your emergency contacts when needed. that you can use with your Fitbit premium subscription—which you need to pay for separately to access the full range on the Pixel device.
Feature-wise, while the two devices are mostly matched in terms of what they can do, if we have to see the perks of the Google Watch 2 vs the OnePlus Watch 2, then the Google Watch 2 does seem capable of a little more.
The OnePlus Watch 2 Price Puts It at a Slight Advantage
Comparing the two devices in terms of monetary expense, the OnePlus Watch 2 price is set at $299.99 USD. In comparison, the Pixel Watch 2 price is set at $349.99 USD but for 4G LTE access, the price is $399.99 USD. The watch comes with a 6-month subscription to Fitbit Premium for the full experience of the watch’s potential.
If you’re someone looking for a device that does all the basic things a smartwatch is capable of without being too much of a hassle, then the OnePlus Watch 2 specifications and battery should be your answer. If you want something stylish and unobtrusive or if you want to really zero in on your health and get a more detailed measure of how you’re doing, then the Google Pixel should be right for you. The price difference isn’t insignificant but it isn’t as pressing of a factor if the additional features are something you want to improve the quality of your life. So, Google Watch 2 vs OnePlus Watch 2, which one are you picking?
