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Head-to-head · Best Smartwatches

Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs OnePlus Watch 3

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Apple Watch Ultra 3 and OnePlus Watch 3 score essentially the same (4.2 vs 4.2). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Apple Watch Ultra 3
Ranked #5 in Best Smartwatches
Apple Watch Ultra 3
7 sources1 derived$749as of Aug 22

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings a larger LTPO3 display, 5G connectivity, and visible seconds to the wrist, making it well-suited for adventurers and fitness enthusiasts. PCMag's Andrew Gebhart notes its enhanced battery life and cellular performance, while a YouTube reviewer found the screen improvements subtle in daily use. The device is ideal for those seeking a premium smartwatch with robust outdoor features, though it doesn't drastically outpace its predecessor in core functionality.

Strengths
  • — Larger LTPO3 display with improved off-angle viewing
  • — Seconds are visible on the screen without raising wrist
  • — 5G connectivity with dual antenna design for extended cellular coverage
Watch-outs
  • — Limited improvement in off-angle viewing performance in real-world use
  • — No significant upgrade in core fitness or health tracking capabilities
$749 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
OnePlus Watch 3
Ranked #3 in Best Smartwatches
OnePlus Watch 3
12 sources$349as of Aug 22

The OnePlus Watch 3 delivers exceptional battery life, lasting up to five days with all features enabled, making it a standout among Wear OS smartwatches. It features a polished design available in two sizes, robust health tracking capabilities, and a dual-chipset power management system. However, it falls short in software update support and lacks certain health features like ECG and menstrual cycle tracking, particularly in the US market. This smartwatch is ideal for users prioritizing battery longevity and fitness metrics over software longevity and comprehensive health monitoring.

Strengths
  • — Five-day battery life with all features enabled
  • — Sleek and comfortable design with two size options
  • — Robust health features including advanced metrics for sports modes
Watch-outs
  • — Only three years of software and security updates
  • — Lacks menstrual cycle tracking and ECG functionality in the US
$349 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Apple Watch Ultra 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 features a larger LTPO3 display and 5G connectivity, which the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 11 don't offer, but it lacks the advanced fitness metrics found in the Garmin Venu 4 and doesn't provide the same level of battery life as the OnePlus Watch 3. Compared to the Google Pixel Watch 4, it offers more comprehensive health tracking but lacks the built-in Gemini AI. The Apple Watch SE 3 provides better value with its updated design and speaker capabilities.

OnePlus Watch 3

The OnePlus Watch 3 delivers five-day battery life, which surpasses the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 11, but it lacks the advanced health features found in the Garmin Venu 4 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. Unlike the Google Pixel Watch 4, it doesn't include built-in Gemini AI, and compared to the Xiaomi Watch 5, it lacks Wear OS 6 integration and smart features like YouTube Music. The Apple Watch SE 3 offers better value with its updated design and speaker capabilities.

Specs side-by-side

SpecApple Watch Ultra 3OnePlus Watch 3
Display TypeLTPO3 OLEDAMOLED
Connectivity5GBluetooth and Wi-Fi
Water Resistance100m5ATM
OSWatchOS 26Wear OS
CompatibilityiOSAndroid
MaterialTitaniumstainless steel
BatteryBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery631mAh
Dimensions8.4 x 4.6 x 1.5 inches—
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