## OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Garmin Vivoactive 5: An In-depth Comparison
Choosing the right smartwatch can feel like traveling through a minefield. You need something that fits your lifestyle, tracks your fitness, and doesn’t need to be recharged every five minutes. Today we’re going to compare two strong contenders: OnePlus Watch 2 and Garmin Vivoactive 5. Both have attractive features, but their needs are slightly different. Let’s put them to the test to see which one is right for you.
The OnePlus Watch 2 immediately impresses with its premium appearance. It has a sleek round design, a stainless steel case, and scratch-resistant sapphire glass covering the AMOLED display. It gives the impression that this is a real watch, not just a high-tech product. The interchangeable straps are a nice touch to make the watch personalized. The watch also meets US military standards for durability, so you don’t have to worry about it getting bumped or chafed.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 watch features a bright and colorful AMOLED display that is easy to read both indoors and outdoors. The watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear all day long, and the construction is sturdy. However, the plastic buttons are a bit knobby, and it lacks the premium feel of the OnePlus Watch 2.
Both watches have AMOLED displays, but with different strengths: the OnePlus Watch 2 features a 1.43-inch AMOLED display that is bright and crisp even in direct sunlight. It’s also responsive to touch, and the interface is smooth to navigate.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 also features a bright AMOLED display, which is a real step up from the pale displays of older fitness trackers. It can be seen well indoors and outdoors, but it can reflect bright sunlight and requires brightness adjustment.
The performance and features of the OnePlus Watch 2 are highlighted by a unique dual-chip system: the Snapdragon W5 chip is used for Wear OS tasks, while the BES 2700 chip is used for core functions running RTOS. This hybrid system not only allows the watch to respond quickly when needed, but also features high energy efficiency and battery life. There’s also a full range of workout modes, including unexpected ones like badminton. The companion app, OHealth, is well organized and easy to use.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a good balance of features for its price, includes new sleep metrics like Sleep Coach and sleep tracking that are very interesting, and very easy to use. The watch also has an accurate GPS navigator comparable to higher-end Garmin models. The device also supports offline music playback and Garmin Pay for convenient use without a phone.
Battery life is where the OnePlus Watch 2 really shines. The watch can last around 100 hours (four days) in Smart mode and up to 12 days in Power Saver mode. That’s a breakthrough compared to other smartwatches that require daily charging.
The battery life of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is also quite good, with up to 7-8 days in General mode and 3-4 days in Constant Display mode - not as long as the OnePlus Watch 2, but quite good for a smartwatch with an AMOLED display.
No product is perfect, and both watches have their quirks: the OnePlus Watch 2 has a noticeable delay in notifications. When the watch receives a notification, it appears on the screen with a two-second delay. It’s not a big deal, but compared to other smartwatches, it’s noticeable. The tactile feedback is not very developed and the rotating crown on the side button does nothing. Also, the device is not compatible with the iPhone.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 lacks a barometric altimeter, which negatively affects performance tracking for mountaineering and downhill activities. The heart rate sensor uses the outdated Elevate Gen 4 and lacks ECG support. The accuracy of sleep stage tracking is also questionable. The plastic buttons have an uncomfortable feel and sometimes require multiple presses.
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OnePlus Watch 2 and Garmin Vivoactive 5 are great smartwatches, but they fulfill different needs. If battery life and premium design are important to you, the OnePlus Watch 2 is a great choice. However, if you want a full-fledged fitness tracker with a bright display and excellent sleep tracking, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a strong contender. Ultimately, the best choice depends on personal preferences and priorities.
| Feature | ONEPLUS Watch 2 | Garmin Vivoactive 5 |
|---|
The OnePlus Watch 2 is a great choice for those who prioritize battery life and a premium design, but it has some quirks like notification delay and no iPhone compatibility.
The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is a solid fitness tracker with a vibrant display and good sleep tracking, but it lacks some features like a barometric altimeter and has an older heart rate sensor.
