Photo credit: www.theverge.com
If you are considering purchasing the OnePlus Watch 3, today is your opportunity as it is now available for sale. However, potential buyers should be aware that the price has changed significantly from the initially announced $329.99 to $499, marking an increase of $170, or approximately 52%.
This unexpected price increase has been noted by various Android news outlets, raising questions about why OnePlus has not officially addressed this change. Typically, companies communicate such adjustments to customers and the media to manage expectations, especially in light of potential public backlash against abrupt price hikes. When approached for clarification, OnePlus spokesperson Spenser Blank provided a brief statement to The Verge stating, “We don’t have any additional comment to share at this time.”
While OnePlus has yet to confirm the reasons behind the price rise, the implication of tariffs might be a significant factor. Many consumers are likely aware of the headlines concerning President Trump’s increasing tariffs on goods imported from China, which, at the time of this writing, stand at a troubling 145 percent. This has led various companies to acknowledge that tariffs are impacting pricing strategies; however, the direct increase in the OnePlus Watch 3’s price exemplifies a peculiar market reaction to these tariffs.
What makes this situation even more notable is that many technology companies—including several wearables manufacturers—have previously attempted to mitigate the effects of tariffs by ramping up their inventories. This proactive approach has helped avoid immediate price increases, enabling consumers to avoid feeling the pinch of tariffs right away. Conversely, others, like Framework, have opted to pause sales to navigate the complexities introduced by the tariff environment.
Ironically, it seems OnePlus might not have been able to increase their stock in the U.S. ahead of these price adjustments due to an earlier oversight. The launch of the OnePlus Watch 3 was originally set for February but faced delays due to a notable mistake: a misspelling on the watch’s backplate that read ‘Meda in China’ instead of ‘Made in China.’ This production hiccup added another layer of complication to the product’s release.
Source
www.theverge.com