Smartwatches have become a hot topic of debate lately, especially with the wide variety of options available in the market under $200. But let’s be real—when you’re spending a decent amount, you want value for money. You want a smartwatch that looks great, performs well, and offers solid features. With options like the OnePlus Watch 2R priced around $200 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Bluetooth version available for $200 (when you time it right), the choice can be tough.
Both of these smartwatches bring unique advantages, but which one is truly the best smartwatch under $200? Let’s break it down and explore their design, display, performance, fitness tracking, and more to help you make the right decision.
Design: Classic vs. Contemporary
Design plays a huge role in choosing a smartwatch, and both the OnePlus Watch 2R and Galaxy Watch 6 offer round dials, but there are distinct differences in style.
- OnePlus Watch 2R: The OnePlus Watch 2R has a more traditional watch-like design. The flush straps sit seamlessly against the bezel, giving the watch a more premium, refined look. However, the straps are stiffer compared to the Galaxy Watch 6, which may make daily wear and removal a bit uncomfortable.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Galaxy Watch 6 has a more contemporary look, which some might find less appealing compared to the OnePlus Watch. However, the soft and slimmer straps offer better comfort for extended wear. The strap replacement system on the Galaxy Watch 6 is also easier, thanks to a one-click system, compared to the OnePlus Watch 2R’s traditional method.
In terms of build quality, both watches have aluminum bodies. While the OnePlus Watch 2R gives a stainless steel look, the Galaxy Watch 6 features a rotating touch bezel for navigation, which adds an extra layer of usability. Both are IP68 and 5ATM rated, meaning they’re water-resistant and can be used for swimming.
Display: Bigger, Brighter, and More Durable
- OnePlus Watch 2R: The AMOLED display on the OnePlus Watch 2R is vibrant and offers adequate brightness, making it perfectly usable under bright sunlight. It also supports Always On Display (AOD), tap-to-wake, and raise-to-wake functionality. The screen responsiveness is smooth, and the overall experience is decent.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Galaxy Watch 6 outshines the OnePlus Watch 2R with its 2,000 nits of peak brightness and sapphire glass protection. The brighter display and scratch-resistant sapphire glass make the Galaxy Watch 6 more durable in the long run, making it ideal for those who are rough on their devices. The smoothness when navigating and scrolling on the Galaxy Watch 6 is also superior, providing a better overall user experience.
Performance: Snapdragon vs Exynos
The performance on both smartwatches is snappy for most everyday tasks, but here’s where they differ:
- OnePlus Watch 2R: Powered by a Snapdragon chipset, the OnePlus Watch 2R comes with a quad-core processor and more storage. It also has a dedicated RTOS chip to help extend battery life when the watch isn’t doing heavy tasks. Despite having a more powerful chipset, real-world performance feels similar between the two watches.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Galaxy Watch 6 runs on the Exynos chipset, which is dual-core. Despite being less powerful on paper, real-world performance on the Galaxy Watch 6 is fluid, with quicker app loads and smoother navigation due to better optimization.
Both smartwatches are equipped with WearOS and are loaded with useful apps and notifications. The Galaxy Watch 6 is running WearOS 5 with One UI 6, while the OnePlus Watch 2R uses WearOS 4. Samsung’s WearOS version brings more features, including advanced watch faces and customizable tiles.
Fitness Tracking: Accurate & Detailed Insights
Both watches offer comprehensive fitness tracking features, but the Galaxy Watch 6 has a clear edge in terms of sensors and tracking accuracy.
- OnePlus Watch 2R: The OnePlus Watch 2R offers heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, sleep tracking, and auto workout detection. The fitness tracking is fairly accurate—both in terms of steps and heart rate. However, the auto pause feature could use some improvement, and sleep tracking works best when you’re in a deep sleep.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Galaxy Watch 6 offers all the basic fitness sensors as well but adds an additional temperature sensor and body composition (BIA) estimation feature. It also includes blood pressure monitoring and ECG, but note that these features are limited to Samsung smartphones. The sleep tracking is more detailed but can be less accurate for light sleepers. The heart rate tracking on both devices is pretty close, but the Galaxy Watch 6 sometimes struggles with low heart rate detection during certain activities.
Software & Features: More Customization and Support
- OnePlus Watch 2R: OnePlus brings a simple, no-frills approach to the software experience. You get watch faces, tiles for quick access, and essential app support via Google Play Store. However, the software lacks features like theater mode, gesture controls, and advanced customization found in the Galaxy Watch 6.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Galaxy Watch 6 offers a far more feature-rich experience. The One UI interface allows you to customize watch faces, tiles, and even offers unique features like gesture controls (double pinch to activate), smart backup, and theater mode. The app ecosystem is more mature, with deeper integration into the Samsung ecosystem, including the Samsung Health app, Samsung Wallet, and Samsung Pay. You can also take screenshots, a feature not available on the OnePlus Watch 2R.
Battery & Charging: Who Lasts Longer?
Battery life can be a dealbreaker for many, and here’s how the two compare:
- OnePlus Watch 2R: Thanks to its dual-chipset configuration (WearOS + RTOS), the OnePlus Watch 2R offers better battery life. In real-world testing, it lasts 2.5 days with Always On Display (AOD) turned on. It also features a hibernation mode that cuts down on non-essential features to save battery during sleep.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Galaxy Watch 6 lasts about 2 days under similar settings. While the battery life is decent, it’s not as long-lasting as the OnePlus Watch 2R. However, the fast charging on both devices (around 90 minutes for the Galaxy Watch 6 and 80 minutes for the OnePlus Watch 2R) ensures you won’t be left waiting too long.
Connectivity & Calling: Smooth Connections
- OnePlus Watch 2R: The OnePlus Watch 2R offers dual-frequency GPS for better route tracking. It supports Google Wallet but lacks NFC for payment options outside of ticket bookings. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer an LTE variant for standalone calls.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Galaxy Watch 6 comes with NFC, allowing you to use Samsung Wallet for contactless payments, making it more versatile. The LTE variant is available, and the calling experience is superior, with clearer audio quality on both ends.
Which is the Best Smartwatch Under $200?
Both the OnePlus Watch 2R and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offer great value, but ultimately, the Galaxy Watch 6 takes the crown for being the more feature-packed, premium offering. Its superior display, better fitness tracking, and overall software experience make it a more well-rounded choice—especially if you can catch it on sale around $200.
However, if you prefer a more traditional watch look, better battery life, and simpler design, the OnePlus Watch 2R is still an excellent choice. It offers good value for money with its unique features, including dual-chipset performance.
Conclusion: Your Perfect Smartwatch Awaits
At the end of the day, the choice boils down to your priorities. If you’re looking for better fitness tracking, more customization, and better long-term support, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is the one to go for.
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