The OnePlus Watch 3 has finally arrived, and it's a story of refinement rather than revolution. After spending a few days with the $329.99 device, it's clear that OnePlus has listened to user feedback and addressed some of the major shortcomings of its predecessor. The most notable addition is a proper rotating crown, which can now be used to scroll through screens – a feature that was bafflingly omitted from the OnePlus Watch 2.

In terms of design, the Watch 3 is similar to its predecessor, with a few key changes. The OLED display is slightly larger and brighter, at 2,200 nits, and the bezels are smaller. The screen is impressive, especially with the new video watchface feature, which allows users to upload their own clips. The casing is still stainless steel, but there's a new titanium physical bezel, giving it a more classic analog look. However, the Watch 3 still only comes in a single 47mm size, which may exclude users with smaller wrists from comfortably using the device.

Battery life has been improved, with the Watch 3 now lasting up to five days with regular use and the always-on display turned off. Turning on the AOD shortens the battery life to roughly three days. In power-saving mode, users can get up to 16 days. OnePlus has achieved this by using the same silicon nanostack battery as the OnePlus 13, which runs Wear OS 5. Faster charging is also available, with a full day's worth of battery life achievable in about 10 minutes.

The Watch 3 also boasts several new health features, including a wrist temperature sensor, an eight-channel optical heart rate sensor, and a 16-channel blood oxygen sensor. The device has also been revamped with a "circular polarized antenna" to improve GPS tracking in areas with tall buildings. Additionally, the Watch 3 can take EKGs, although this functionality won't be available for users in the US or Canada due to lack of FDA clearance.

OnePlus has also introduced its 60S Health Check-In feature, which provides users with a quick scan of their heart rate, blood oxygen levels, mental wellness, wrist temperature, sleep quality, and vascular age. European users will get EKGs included in Q2 2025. Another new feature is a vascular health test, which measures arterial stiffness, similar to a feature introduced by Oura last year.

Sleep tracking has been overhauled, and users can now track snoring patterns to assess breathing disruptions. Stress tracking has been rebranded as "360 Mind and Body," which uses heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and activity intensity to approximate users' stress levels. Depending on the evaluation, users may receive recommendations for guided breathing.

The OnePlus Watch 3 is available for preorder starting today and will begin shipping on February 25th. While it may not be a groundbreaking device, it's a solid refinement of the OnePlus Watch 2, and its competitive pricing and feature set make it a strong alternative to Samsung and Google smartwatches.

In conclusion, the OnePlus Watch 3 is a testament to the company's commitment to listening to user feedback and refining its products. While it may not be a revolutionary device, it's a strong contender in the smartwatch market, offering a unique blend of features, design, and affordability.