OnePlus has been able to make a place of choice on the connected watches market, thanks to efficient and enduring models, but a fault persisted until then: the brand did not offer an alternative for small wrists. A problem that the OnePlus Watch 3 (43 mm) corrects, not without making some concessions.
Finally a “small” model
Highly anticipated, the OnePlus Watch 3 Small model is visually a success. With a smaller dial (43 mm against 46 mm) and finer, this watch is also lighter. So much so that she is completely forgotten on the wrist, unlike the 46 mm model which could give the impression of having a dead weight hanging on her arm.
The design is nonetheless elegant, the stainless steel case is well finished, and the 18 mm bracelet gives it a lighter look. The 1.32 ”AMOLED screen is clear enough, well calibrated and pleasant to use on a daily basis. So far, everything is fine.
Concessions that pass badly
But where the rub is, it is in what OnePlus removed under the pretext of a reduced format. Watch 3 (43 mm) could have been a version identical to 46 mm, just more compact. But no. The Chinese manufacturer has overlooked several features and it’s really a shame.
We thus make a cross on a temperature sensor, the analysis of arterial rigidity, the flagship function of the 46 mm model, namely the rapid health assessment in 60 seconds, as well as on the double frequency GPS. Most users will not notice the difference, unlike attentive athletes, which says a lot about the positioning of this watch.
It’s simple: half of the advanced health functions have disappeared. And yet, we stay on a watch at € 299 – not frankly entry -level.
OnePlus justifies these absences by stresses of space or autonomy. Either. But in 2025, when Apple and Samsung offer compact models without sacrificing so much, it is a little stain. We would have liked that it was not just a disguised “Lite” Watch.
It will be noted all the same that the OnePlus Watch 3 (43 mm) benefits from its own feature: monitoring of the menstrual cycle. On this point, we can only congratulate the brand for this addition which, depending on whether we use/appreciate this type of functionalities, is interesting, although basic. To know your cycles to come, your fertility periods and ovulation, you will have to record your information manually. No wrist temperature measurement to estimate ovulation either. It is a bit weak compared to what competition offers.
Autonomy also set back
The 46 mm version of Watch 3 offered up to 5 days of autonomy. This 43 mm is struggling to exceed three days in normal use. The transition to a 354 mAh battery is clearly hurt. And if the fast recharging allows you to partially compensate (10 minutes are enough to hold a day), we stay far from the initial promise of “long autonomy” which made the strength of the first OnePlus Watch.
Performances that have a price
We can still console ourselves on the part of the components since the 43 mm model simply embeds the same as that of 46 mm: a Snapdragon W5 processor and a secondary chip is always there, as well as the Wear OS 5 system, the same 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. Enough to ensure good fluidity. The experience is rich and very pleasant, fortunately.
Another good news, the OnePlus Watch 3 (43 mm) is € 50 cheaper than the 46 mm model (€ 349). Which is, in itself, not negligible. But taking into account all the features withdrawn, you can’t help but find € 299 is too important a price. We could have excused OnePlus if the autonomy had been better, but this is unfortunately not the case …
Conclusion
OnePlus had a real card to play: offer a compact version of your Watch 3 without distorting it. The design is successful, the screen is pleasant, the software experience is there. But by dint of compromising on the sensors, autonomy and GPS precision, the brand gives the impression of recycling an amputated product to artificially widen its range. Watch 3 (43 mm) will suit an uninformed audience, which is looking for a beautiful object, fluid and simple to wear. But for sports, data health or precision fans, it is better to look elsewhere. Or simply opt for the 46 mm version… if your wrists support it. It’s really a shame. OnePlus could have checked all the boxes if he had simply baptized OnePlus Watch 3R and lowered his price.
