In a world where smartwatches have become an indispensable part of modern life, the quest for the perfect wearable continues. The Oppo Watch 3 Pro aims to be a compelling contender, offering an array of features to compete with the formidable Apple Watch.
While the Apple Watch enjoys a strong reputation as the most powerful smartwatch, it remains closely tied to the iPhone ecosystem. In contrast, the Oppo Watch 3 Pro targets the Android market, providing a compelling alternative for users seeking seamless integration with their Android devices.
In this extensive review, we will delve into the design, hardware, software, health-tracking capabilities, and overall user experience of the Oppo Watch 3 Pro.
Design and Display
The Oppo Watch 3 Pro presents a striking design evolution compared to its predecessors. The most noticeable feature is the curved top design, following the natural curvature of the human wrist.
This design decision enhances comfort and gives the watch a sportier and more stylish appearance. However, a closer look reveals that the buttons in contact with the skin lack a similar curve, which might be a minor design inconsistency.
Despite the slight bulkiness on the sides, the Oppo Watch 3 Pro looks refined and smooth from the front, making it an attractive option for daily wear. The rectangular AMOLED display offers exceptional brightness and legibility, giving it an edge over traditional round dials when it comes to displaying text content.
Touch input is responsive, but the real standout is the smooth scrolling digital crown, which allows users to zoom in and out and scroll through content with impressive precision. Additionally, the adaptive refresh rate technology ensures power efficiency, granting the watch an advantage in terms of battery life compared to most newer smartwatches.
Battery Life and Performance
Battery life has been a persistent challenge for full-function smartwatches, but the Oppo Watch 3 Pro addresses this issue effectively with its dual-chip design. The incorporation of the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 wearable chip ensures a smoother software experience and a 40% reduction in power consumption compared to its predecessors. Additionally, the Apollo 4 Plus chip contributes to all-day standby capability, significantly extending battery life.
An innovative power saver mode further enhances the watch’s battery life. Users can activate this mode with a long press on the crown, which limits certain features but extends the watch’s battery life to approximately two weeks. In this mode, the watch functions more like a sports smart band, providing a suitable option for users seeking extended periods between charges.
Health Tracking and Sports Features
The Oppo Watch 3 Pro competes strongly in the health tracking department, boasting multiple features such as blood oxygen level monitoring, stress tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and step counting.
Notably, the watch includes an ECG app, which promises to be a valuable tool for heart health assessment. However, it’s important to mention that the ECG feature was not available at the time of this review, rendering the electrodes on the watch without any functionality for now.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Oppo Watch 3 Pro offers over 100 sports tracking options, encompassing a wide range of activities. From popular sports like running and walking to specific activities like basketball and soccer, the watch provides comprehensive data for most exercises.
While it may not match the extensive sports tracking capabilities of its competitors, such as Huawei watches, it still caters to the majority of users’ fitness needs.
Software and Global Adaptation
Running on Android, the Oppo Watch 3 Pro offers a plethora of features that elevate its functionality. With NFC support, third-party app installation, voice assistant capabilities, and eSIM functions, the watch delivers a comprehensive smartwatch experience.
However, certain features and functionalities are limited to the Chinese market, where the watch performs exceptionally well. For users residing outside China, this may pose a drawback as some apps and features might not function optimally or may not be available at all.
Despite these limitations, the user experience on the Oppo Watch 3 Pro is generally smooth, rivaling that of the Apple Watch. The always-on display feature stands out as particularly impressive, providing a seamless and convenient user experience. Moreover, the user interface is well-designed, with a focus on aesthetics and functionality.
Conclusion
The Oppo Watch 3 Pro emerges as a powerful and versatile smartwatch, making significant strides in the Android market. With its sleek design, vibrant display, and commendable battery life, it presents an attractive alternative to the Apple Watch for Android users. However, its localization issues and some features limited to the Chinese market might hinder its appeal for users residing outside China.
For tech-savvy users living in China, the Oppo Watch 3 Pro undoubtedly deserves the title of one of the best smartwatches available. However, for those seeking a more internationally versatile smartwatch, alternatives like the Huawei Watch series are worth considering. As the smartwatch market continues to evolve, we anticipate Oppo’s efforts in addressing regional adaptation concerns and expanding its global reach.
In conclusion, the Oppo Watch 3 Pro is a compelling option for Android users, offering a rich set of features, impressive performance, and an overall satisfying user experience. While it may not dethrone the Apple Watch as the most powerful smartwatch, it stands tall as one of the top contenders in the Android ecosystem.
Whether you prioritize health tracking, sports features, or general smartwatch capabilities, the Oppo Watch 3 Pro has something to offer, making it worthy of consideration for Android users seeking a feature-packed and stylish wearable.
