Earlier this year at MWC 2024, OnePlus launched its Watch 2, and ever since we received it at the Beebom office, I have been using it as my daily driver. While I was thoroughly impressed by the design, build, and overall performance of the smartwatch, I couldn’t help but wish it was cheaper than its Rs 24,999 asking price. Looks like the smartwatch Gods heard us out, and OnePlus has launched the OnePlus Watch 2R in the Indian market, which costs Rs 17,999.
But, where does that leave the OG Watch 2? What are the differences that set these two apart? If you have a flexible budget, should you stop at the Watch 2R or go all the way for the Watch 2? I have both the smartwatches with me here at the Beebom office. So, I have tried answering all these questions with this quick comparison between the OnePlus Watch 2 and the OnePlus Watch 2R. Read on!
Design Is the Only Change
Launching as the OnePlus Watch 2R, the company’s latest offering is identical to its predecessor in terms of specifications, battery, and other factors except the design. OnePlus Watch 2R comes with Snapdragon W5 and Wear OS 4 similar to OnePlus Watch 2. Moreover, the battery capacity and health sensors also the same on both watches. So, we have compared the two smartwatches on design, which is the only differentiating factor.
Build Quality Takes a Small Hit
Right off the bat, the Watch 2R felt lighter. Turns out, it’s made out of aluminum instead of stainless steel which its pricier sibling uses. Stainless steel is definitely better and slows down the aesthetic aging of your smartwatches.
At the same time, stainless steel makes the OnePlus Watch 2 a tad bit heavy and somewhat uncomfortable for those who have thin wrists. On the other hand, once you slap on the Watch 2R, you will forget it exists till it vibrates to welcome incoming calls and notifications.
The Watch 2 is also military-grade tested, adding to its durability. I’m a very clumsy person and often bump and scratch my smartwatches against surfaces. In the three months that I’ve been wearing it, not a single dent or scratch has been able to break the watch’s skin. While I’m not brave enough to put the Watch 2R through a scratch test, although durable, I doubt it’s as tough.
The Watch 2R Is a Head Turner!
Then comes the dial design itself, which the OnePlus 12R does better in my humble smartwatch-loving opinion. You get to see dual-tone chronographic markings in the bezels this time, which certainly makes the Watch 2R look more stylish. Conversely, the Watch 2 looks like a typical smartwatch, lacking that vintage flavor. If this bezel was rotatable, it’d have made me a very happy man.
The OnePlus Watch 2R doesn’t fix the non-rotatable crown problem of its senior, which made me frown. But, the good thing is that it doesn’t have that peculiar texture to make it come off as rotatable in the first place. So, that helps swallowing this pill a bit easier.
I haven’t been fond of the Watch 2’s second button either. It’s awkwardly placed, shaped, and not at all tactile. On the other hand, the Watch 2R brings two circular crowns that are much easier to operate.
Slightly Compromised Strap Quality
However, OnePlus has certainly done some cost-cutting with the Watch 2R’s strap quality. The OnePlus Watch 2’s strap is made out of fluoro-rubber, while the Watch 2R uses silicone straps.
For those unaware, fluoro-rubber is more premium and doesn’t wear as easily. It’s also not as much of a lint magnet as silicone and doesn’t get greasy with sweat. It will still leave that anti-tan-zone line on your wrist, though. No solution for that.
Watch 2R Makes the Watch 2 Seem Pointless
The pricing difference is what makes me seriously doubt the Watch 2’s existence in the first place. As mentioned earlier, while the Watch 2 costs Rs 24,999 in the subcontinent, the Watch 2R is priced at Rs 17,999. While the Watch 2 does adorn those build quality advantages, there’s no reason for it to be priced as high as it is. Had it arrived with LTE functionality, it would have made sense.
From the 60Hz AMOLED display and health sensors to running on WearOS 4 and being powered by the Snapdragon W5 chipset, everything is the same on these two watches. So, imagine buying a watch for 25k, only to see it go for 18k with a better-looking design in a few months.
Moreover, while the Watch 2R’s global variant comes with eSIM support, the Indian variant does not. These choices are Greek to me and make me wonder why OnePlus decided to launch the Watch 2R in India in the first place. It certainly beats the purpose of Watch 2’s existence in the subcontinent, making it difficult to justify its Rs 7,000 price increment.
