Photo credit: www.androidauthority.com
I have been extensively testing the Google Pixel Watch 3 and the OnePlus Watch 3 since their recent announcements. Both smartwatches come equipped with the latest Wear OS, feature stunning displays, and boast elegant designs. In everyday use, either device would be a suitable choice. However, they diverge significantly in several crucial aspects.
The OnePlus Watch 3 has particularly impressed me with its impressive battery life, offering a multi-day usage experience that many find appealing. In this regard, it certainly provides a level of convenience that is hard to match. Nevertheless, while it excels in battery longevity, it falls short in heart rate monitoring compared to the Pixel Watch 3, which is known for its highly accurate heart rate tracking. This is a critical feature that has solidified Google’s place as my go-to option.
Are you interested in how much more accurate the heart rate tracking is on the Pixel Watch 3? I have conducted tests that demonstrate its superiority.
Assessing the Competition
Both the Pixel Watch 3 and the OnePlus Watch 3 are strong contenders, improving upon their predecessors’ foundations. However, in my evaluations, I rated the Pixel Watch 3 just a notch higher, assigning it four and a half stars while the OnePlus Watch 3 received four stars. My rating for the OnePlus device wasn’t solely due to its heart rate discrepancies, as it also has additional limitations; nonetheless, its inaccurate tracking was certainly a significant consideration. During testing, it struggled to keep pace with my chest strap, showing only minimal enhancement from the previous OnePlus Watch 2.
It is worth noting that chest straps are typically the gold standard for heart rate measurement, often outperforming wrist-worn devices in accuracy. To better understand how the OnePlus Watch 3 stacks up against top competitors, I decided to conduct direct comparisons with the Pixel Watch 3.
I performed a series of workouts with both smartwatches, including running, walking, weightlifting, rowing, and yoga. The latter two can present challenges for wrist-based devices due to increased wrist movement. I also conducted interval training to evaluate how effectively each watch adapted to varying exercise intensities. For consistency, I wore a chest strap throughout these exercises to establish a reliable baseline for comparison.
Heart Rate Tracking: OnePlus Watch 3 vs. Google Pixel Watch
The following analysis outlines my heart rate tracking findings for each device, with an overview indicating that Google dominates this aspect.
The graphs depicting my results compare both smartwatches against a highly regarded heart rate-tracking chest strap, the Polar H10. The Pixel Watch 3 demonstrates exceptional alignment with this standard, while the OnePlus Watch 3 showed notable shortcomings. During high-intensity workouts, the OnePlus Watch lagged, often displaying peak heart rates after I had already heightened my interval intensity—a concerning trend for a fitness-focused device.
In further testing, I wore both smartwatches (on different wrists) along with my chest strap during interval training on a rowing machine. The Pixel Watch 3 displayed a close correlation with the chest strap data, while the OnePlus Watch 3 exhibited quite a few inconsistencies in its readings.
When I brought both watches to the gym for a weight training session, the performance of the OnePlus Watch 3 did not see improvement. The detailed sections reveal that both watches struggled to accurately capture my heart rate compared to the chest strap. While wrist strain can complicate this type of workout for smartwatches, the Pixel Watch 3 maintained a closer accuracy in comparison to the OnePlus Watch 3, despite neither producing flawless results.
While the OnePlus Watch 3 is adequate for general heart rate tracking, it does not match the level of precision offered by competitors.
It is evident that the OnePlus Watch 3 is suitable for moderate workouts like running or walking, but it lacks the reliability needed for detailed heart rate monitoring compared to the Pixel Watch 3. Interestingly, both the OnePlus Watch 3 and the Polar strap yielded similar average heart rates across my workouts, indicating that the OnePlus device can deliver an overview of heart activity, even if it falls short in terms of exactness. For those, like me, who are focused on precise heart rate zones during training, high accuracy is essential. Serious athletes tracking performance data require trustworthy metrics.
Google’s Heartfelt Approach
For the average consumer, the OnePlus Watch 3’s heart rate data will likely suffice. Its broad metrics, such as average beats per minute, align well with expectations for devices in its category, and it includes functional heart rate zones and alerts during exercises. However, for athletes who seek more accurate tracking or fitness enthusiasts closely monitoring their heart rates, exploring alternatives may be prudent. The OnePlus Watch 3’s performance shows inconsistencies compared to similar-priced alternatives, especially the Pixel Watch 3, with fluctuating readings and unreliable data becoming apparent in detailed analyses.
Conversely, the Pixel Watch 3 sets itself apart thanks to its outstanding heart rate capabilities. With advanced sensors and refined algorithms, it consistently offers precise heart rate feedback across various workout types, proving dependable whether during intense sessions or moderate activities. This reliability makes it a trustworthy companion for those who demand rigorous scrutiny of their training data.
While not every potential smartwatch buyer will require deep heart rate analysis, the OnePlus Watch is generally effective for casual users. At this point, though, my preference leans toward Google’s more sophisticated sensors.
Source
www.androidauthority.com