Looking for a smartwatch that won't break the bank? The OnePlus Nord Watch might just be the device for you. As the brand's first entry-level smartwatch in the Nord series, this device is designed to cater to budget-conscious buyers who don't want to compromise on features.
Highlights:
- The affordable price point of Rs. Around 4000.
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- AMOLED display with deep blacks and black background interface
- Hypoallergenic straps for all-day wear
- Good fitness and health tracking features
| Product | Price | Store |
|---|---|---|
| OnePlus Nord Watch | Around 4000 | Buy on Amazon |
| OnePlus Nord Watch | Around 4800 | Buy on Croma |
In this article, we'll review the OnePlus Nord Watch, including its price, design, specifications, software, performance, and battery life.
Price, Design, and Specifications
The OnePlus Nord Watch is priced at Rs. 4,999 in India and is available in Midnight Black and Deep Blue finishes. The watch comes with a black silicon strap and a black stainless steel pin and buckles for fastening. It has a zinc alloy case that weighs 35.6g, and weighs 52.4g with the watch straps on.
The watch's 1.78-inch AMOLED display (368 x 448 pixels) produces deep blacks and has a black background interface, making it barely noticeable that the device has thick bezels. The device does not have a mic or speakers, so there's no Bluetooth calling functionality. It also lacks a built-in GPS receiver, and its connectivity is limited to Bluetooth 5.2.
The Nord Watch packs an optical heart rate and blood-oxygen sensors, and a 3-axis accelerometer for tracking health and fitness. Its back case (underside) is made of polycarbonate and has all the necessary sensors in place along with two contact points for the magnetic charger. The device has one button on the right which opens the app menu. A second press takes you back to the watch face.
Software, Performance, and Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord Watch runs a customized version of RTOS, which is very light and runs most of the time fluidly, with only a few random instances of lag. Swiping left or right from the watch face shows widgets for the various preinstalled apps, such as Sleep, SpO2, Stress, etc.
A swipe upwards from the watch face shows unread notifications in a list view, and a swipe down reveals the quick toggles. A swipe to the right takes you back to the app menu. The Nord Watch comes with a handful of preinstalled apps, but there is no app store or access to third-party apps. This limitation means the device ends up being more of a fitness band than a full-fledged smartwatch.
The notifications are displayed on the OnePlus Nord Watch, but save for the basic apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook, and Instagram, the watch will not display app icons for individual notifications. This makes it difficult to identify whether the alert is an email (from Gmail) or a message from Slack. The notifications themselves are also truncated, making it impossible to read long messages or forward them directly on the watch.
The OnePlus Nord Watch works well when paired with the N Health app, which is available for both iOS and Android platforms. The setup process is quick and simple and asks for most permissions in one go on iOS. On Android, a few extra steps are required to enable notifications, incoming calls, and auto-health tracking features.
The Nord Watch comes with 256MB of storage (none of which is accessible to the user), and has a 230mAh battery. With average use, the device can last up to two days on a single charge.
OnePlus Nord Watch battery life is another aspect that's worth discussing. The device is rated to last up to 7 days with regular usage, but this can vary depending on your usage. During my review period, I found that the battery lasted for about 5 days with all sensors and features turned on, including sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and SpO2 readings. If you disable some of these features, you might be able to extend the battery life further. The Nord Watch charges quite fast, going from 0 to 100% in just under 2 hours, which is impressive.
Is the OnePlus Nord Watch worth buying?
The OnePlus Nord Watch is a solid entry-level smartwatch from the brand that comes at a very competitive price point of under 5,000 rupees. It has a simple and functional design, good build quality, and all the basic features you would expect from a smartwatch, including health and fitness tracking, notifications, and music controls.
However, if you are looking for a smartwatch with advanced features like built-in GPS, Bluetooth calling, or app store access, the OnePlus Nord Watch might not be the best option for you. It's essentially a fitness band with a bigger display and a few smartwatch features.
That said, if you are on a tight budget and want a simple and
reliable smartwatch that can track your health and fitness activities and keep
you notified of important alerts, the OnePlus Nord Watch is definitely worth
considering. It's a great value-for-money device that delivers on most fronts.
Conclusion
Overall, the OnePlus Nord Watch is a good entry-level smartwatch for those who are looking for a basic wearable device with fitness-tracking features. Its design is stylish and lightweight, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods. The AMOLED display is vibrant and easy to read, and the software interface is simple and intuitive. However, its lack of a mic, speaker, and GPS makes it less functional as a smartwatch, and its limited notification system may be a drawback for some users.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a budget-friendly
smartwatch primarily for fitness tracking and notifications, the OnePlus Nord
Watch is a solid choice. However, if you need more advanced features such as
Bluetooth calling, GPS, and access to third-party apps, you may want to
consider other options in a higher price range.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Budget-friendly smartwatch option
- Simple and basic interface
- Accurate and reliable fitness and health tracking
- Customizable watch faces
- The quick and simple setup process
Cons:
- No mic or speakers, so no Bluetooth calling functionality
- Limited connectivity with only Bluetooth 5.2 and no built-in GPS receiver
- Limited app options and no access to third-party apps
- No individual app icons for notifications and truncated notifications display
- No option to buy replacement straps from OnePlus directly
