The watch will feature top compatibility and battery, but native software is a big blow for the budget Wear OS market<\/p>\n
The upcoming OnePlus Watch Lite<\/a>\u2014set to debut globally on December 17th\u2014will not run Google\u2019s Wear OS, according to new details from the company. <\/p>\n This major hardware decision explains how the budget-friendly device can boast a significant 10-day battery life\u2014a stamina impossible for any current Wear OS watch<\/a>, including the flagship OnePlus Watch 3<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Watch Lite is positioned as an entry-level option, but the decision to use a proprietary operating system represents a major departure from the brand\u2019s recent smartwatch<\/a> strategy. <\/p>\n It means that the Watch Lite feels more like a successor to the very forgettable OG OnePlus Watch<\/a>, which we criticized for its limited software experience and, really, everything else.<\/p>\n A new cross-platform strategy<\/p>\n Despite the lack of Wear OS, the Watch Lite is still shaping up to be a compelling option for those in the market for a budget smartwatch.<\/a> <\/p>\n This is the first time a OnePlus smartwatch has officially supported iPhones, positioning the Watch Lite as a challenger to the likes of the Huawei Watch Fit 4 series<\/a> and Xiaomi Watch S4<\/a>. <\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n For people who don\u2019t necessarily crave the smart features of an Apple Watch SE 3, these are the top options to consider right now.<\/p>\n The Wareable take<\/p>\n This new wrinkle complicates what was shaping up to be an intriguing launch from OnePlus. <\/p>\n The quoted 10-day battery life is a nice touch\u2014especially in a slim 8.9mm case\u2014and the cross-platform play helps the brand challenge more broadly. <\/p>\n