OnePlus Watch 3 Launching February 18 with Titanium Build, Rotating Crown, Wear OS 5, & 120-Hour Battery Life

Update: The OnePlus Watch 3 is officially launching on February 18.

OnePlus is set to announce the OnePlus Watch 3, and ahead of the official launch, TechRadar has exclusively revealed key details about the smartwatch in an interview with Celina Shi, Chief Marketing Officer for OnePlus Europe.

Let's take a look.

Dual OS Setup Enables Longer Battery Life

OnePlus has retained the dual-operating system approach from its predecessor, allowing the OnePlus Watch 3 to extend battery life without compromising performance. The watch runs Wear OS 5 on a Snapdragon W5 chipset while relying on a BES2800 MCU chip for low-power tasks through a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS).

"Our software seamlessly switches operations between these two chipsets, enabling the OnePlus Watch 3 to run with maximum efficiency and strike the perfect balance between peak performance and extended battery life."

Beyond software efficiency, the OnePlus Watch 3 is equipped with a 631mAh battery, enhanced by OnePlus' Silicon NanoStack Battery technology-a high-energy density battery also used in the OnePlus 13 smartphone.

Improved Sleep Tracking Accuracy

For many smartwatch users, battery life directly affects sleep tracking, as shorter-lasting watches often require overnight charging. Shi hinted at OnePlus' increased focus on sleep tracking this time around, telling TechRadar:

"We are bringing more accuracy to our sleep-tracking features to provide people rich data about their sleep patterns and quality. Sleep underpins your daily activities and energy levels, so we want to offer an accurate picture of users' sleep quality to help improve their health and wellness."

These improvements suggest that OnePlus is refining its sleep-tracking algorithms, potentially enhancing metrics such as REM cycles, deep sleep tracking, and real-time sleep recommendations.

New Rotating Crown for Easier Navigation

One of the most notable hardware changes in the OnePlus Watch 3 is the addition of a rotating digital crown, similar to what Apple has long offered on its Apple Watches.

In response to user feedback, OnePlus made the decision to integrate the rotating crown, as Shi explained in her interview:

"We put much focus on design with the OnePlus Watch 2, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. But we did hear calls from our community to develop the rotating crown to offer functionality and an alternative way to navigate the device."

"With the ability to both press and rotate, the rotating crown makes navigating through apps and menus efficient and intuitive-ultimately improving the user experience."

This addition could make app navigation smoother, particularly for scrolling through notifications, workout stats, and menus, without excessive reliance on the touchscreen.

Durability Upgrades: Titanium Bezel and Sapphire Crystal Display

The OnePlus Watch 3 is also receiving material upgrades, making it more durable than its predecessor. The stainless steel frame from the previous model is being replaced by a titanium bezel, offering improved scratch resistance and reduced weight. Additionally, the display is protected by sapphire crystal glass, further increasing durability.

At launch, the OnePlus Watch 3 will be available in two rugged-inspired colors:

• Obsidian Titanium (Black)

• Emerald Titanium (Green)

Health and Fitness Tracking: What to Expect?

While Shi didn't disclose full details about health tracking, she indicated that OnePlus is prioritizing accuracy and durability.

"Ultimately, our focus for the OnePlus Watch 3 has been to provide a highly accurate fitness and sleep-tracking tool that lasts longer than you need it-and looks great while doing so."

This suggests that OnePlus could be bringing improvements to heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, and workout detection, though we'll have to wait for the full reveal to see exactly what's new.

Launch and Expected Pricing

The OnePlus Watch 3 will first launch in North America and the EU, though pricing remains undisclosed. Given its premium materials and upgraded internals, it is expected to be priced similarly to other high-end Wear OS smartwatches