Living in London limits what I can do when it comes to testing wearables. After all, there are only so many Pilates classes and lido swims I can use a device to test one’s endurance and abilities.
However, OnePlus’ most recent launch of the Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition in Helsinki, Finland gave me the opportunity to truly push a device to its limits. The watch I tested is a more lifestyle-focused version of its flagship, launching in February 2024.
To test this smartwatch, I did the following: a ride on a fat bike (riding a bike with big tires, if you’re confused like me), a hike in the forest, a trip to a Finnish sauna, a yoga session gentle, and a very brief but freezing plunge into the Baltic Sea.
Here are the key takeaways from my testing experience…
Comfort is king
The biggest difference I noticed between the Nordic Blue Edition and the standard OnePlus Watch 2 I reviewed is the upgraded strap. OnePlus initially launched its smartwatch with a pure fluorine rubber watch, but this version kept that material on the inside and opted for a royal blue leather finish on the outside.
Over the past few days, I’ve noticed that this one has a sturdier grip than the Watch 2, so it doesn’t have that annoying habit of sliding up and down my arm. It stays in place, even when you’re jostling on a bike or twisting like a pretzel during yoga.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
If you have small wrists like mine, it’s still heavy, around 80g. I’d prefer if OnePlus made a smaller case for people like me, but it’s definitely an improvement with just the strap change.
This weight is partly due to the fact that OnePlus has kept this dual-chip design which gives it a battery life of 100 hours. I wasn’t able to fully test this feature during my trip, but I can say that the juice used over the past few days matches my experience with the Watch 2.
In other words, I didn’t need to reach for my charger, even though the device was starting at just over 60% and I had tracked three separate workouts, as well as my sleep. When you need to charge it, it supports fast charging that can take it from flat to 100% in less than an hour (with a suitable charging brick, of course).
You get hot, then you get cold…
Having a smartwatch that can withstand extreme temperatures is also a key advantage of the OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition.
I could swipe and tap the 1.43-inch sapphire glass screen both in the dry heat of the sauna with sweaty palms and in the freezing ocean water, which I dove into right after my experience hot for two minutes using a timer on. the watch (it was a lot longer, let me tell you).
Some of my journalist colleagues have been warned by the watch in the event of overheating. Those who did stayed in the sauna longer than me, at around 80°C, significantly above the device’s recommended high temperature range of 55°C.
Still, it’s safer for the Watch 2 to have this capability, rather than having it accidentally burn while attached to your skin. The IP68 rating also held up well in the frigid sea, although the watch didn’t lock its screen as is typical for swim workouts.
Location, location, location
One of the flagship features of the OnePlus Watch 2 series is its dual frequency GPS, which allows it to pinpoint your location more accurately in harsh environments. When I first tested the Watch 2, I found it reliable among the towering skyscrapers of central London.
Now I can also confirm that this laptop works just as well in rural areas of Finland. On a big bike ride through a dense forest, it could quickly lock on to my position, while also detecting when I stopped for a quick respite, quickly interrupting my workout.
It would then restart as soon as I started pedaling, meaning I didn’t need to take off my essential gloves and change the settings. Automatic detection on wearable devices often produces mixed results, but this technology was impressive to see first-hand.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Suitable from day to evening
Although many people like the sportier finish of the classic Watch 2, I would prefer to take it off if I was heading out for a cocktail or two after finishing my exercise for the day.
This is not the case with the OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition. Fitted with a new two-tone exterior dial, it’s more of a statement fashion piece and looked like a useful accessory for my evening outfit while dining in Helsinki.
That said, I remain convinced that both versions of the Watch 2 might require a thinner version for women and users with smaller wrists.
Hannah Cownton / Foundry
Hannah Cownton / Foundry
Hannah Cownton / Foundry
Is it worth paying more?
OnePlus has confirmed that the Watch 2 is its best-selling device. So there could be demand for the Nordic Blue Edition when it goes on sale on May 7 in the UK and Europe for £329, which is £30 more than the standard model.
If you’re having a hard time deciding between the Watch 2 (available in green and black) and the Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition, the main things to consider are build and your preferred aesthetic.
I found wearing this version of the watch to be less hassle than the standard version due to the combination leather and rubber strap. I also loved the bolder finish, as I hate the boring tech that comes in standard black.
However, if you want something more discreet and have larger arms, then the vanilla Watch 2 may suit you very well.
The good news is that under the hood, there is no difference. All wearables in the OnePlus Watch 2 line track over 100 workouts, can monitor sleep and stress, and of course, run on Google’s seamless Wear OS software. Therefore, all your favorite Android apps like Maps, Spotify and WhatsApp are supported.
However, you should only get the OnePlus Watch 2 if you have an Android phone, as the app is not supported on iOS. If not, there are plenty of other smartwatches out there.
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