Smartwatch Showdown: OnePlus Watch 2 vs Galaxy Watch 5

I purchased the OnePlus Watch 2 with the OnePlus 13 this year. After some evening walks with my wife, I started to question the accuracy of the fitness tracking.

Samsung watches tend to be fairly reliable though not up to Apple, Garmin, or Google Fitbit standards. OnePlus doesn’t have the same reputation, at least in the West.

For disclosure, I tend to prefer OnePlus devices. Even after trying the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I was unimpressed. I enjoyed using the Galaxy Watch 5 though and it was my daily driver for a couple years.

Upgrading to the OnePlus Watch 2 was a tough decision. Battery life promised to be better and charging would be faster. It also meant a bigger, heavier watch. I previously tried the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro which I found cumbersome. Maybe it was the raised edge.

While camping at Hawthorne Park for Labor Day weekend, I thought I would give them watches an informal comparison. My first challenge was adding the Galaxy Watch 5 to my OnePlus 13. It took several attempts including resetting the watch twice, clearing app data, trying to pair it with a Galaxy Tab A9+ (which apparently doesn’t support Galaxy watches), and then a hail Mary last shot that oddly worked.

Maps

Comparing maps is a good start for checking accuracy.

While OnePlus offers several playback options, the recorded route is smoother and a less accurate representation of the hike.

We stopped several times to look at the multitude of butterflies. They were especially fond of the thistle. Samsung captured that accurately with the many little movements to look at the flora and fauna.

Going the Distance

Much of the data collected was similar. A two beat per minute difference on the heart rate isn’t significant.

What concerns me is the recorded distance. OnePlus recorded 0.71 miles while Samsung had 0.66 miles. Those differences add up. I’m even more shocked that OnePlus calculated a farther distance despite the GPS not tracking as accurately.

We recently put in two miles around a quarter mile walking trail. I noticed that my quarter miles began coming sooner and sooner. By the two mile mark, I was a couple hundred feet off. I questioned if the trail was actually a quarter mile or slightly longer. Comparing the above data makes me believe OnePlus is overestimating distance.

Elevation

The highest elevation between the two watches is close: Samsung at 562 feet and OnePlus at 570 feet. The odd difference is the elevation gain. I started out on a dam before descending and ascending another dam. OnePlus estimates 22 feet total ascension. Samsung gives me 49 feet of elevation gain.

I suspected they were talking about different things. However, OnePlus showed my lowest elevation at 528 feet. Samsung was 514. Samsung is likely correct here given the initial descent and the following dam was higher than the first. There was a steady incline to the second dam as well.

Calorie Counting

Fitness trackers and smartwatches are not known for accurate calorie counting. There’s some doubt about their benefits for weight loss. Companies use different algorithms to calculate the numbers so it’s difficult to compare their accuracy.

There are a lot of factors involved with calculating calories burned: the person’s fitness level, prior exercise, etc. So the calories burned on both watches is fun for watching but not a reliable indicator.

I use Cronometer to track food intake. Samsung Health offers similar features for free. I wish OnePlus included better integration with their OHealth app.

Regardless, the calories burned do not match. OnePlus offers a more conservative 118 calories despite the longer recorded distance. Samsung estimated 153 calories. I certainly like Samsung better here but I don’t believe it either.

Conclusions

This was a very informal test with a limited scope. Basing any conclusions solely on the data here, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 appears to be more accurate overall. 

The OnePlus Watch 2 has a lot of other value though. It may not be as accurate as the Galaxy Watch, it should still be accurate enough for a casual user (like myself). It also offers a three to four day battery and fast charging.

I will include more future comparisons as they become available.