The watch will feature top compatibility and battery, but native software is a big blow for the budget Wear OS market

The upcoming OnePlus Watch Lite—set to debut globally on December 17th—will not run Google’s Wear OS, according to new details from the company.

This major hardware decision explains how the budget-friendly device can boast a significant 10-day battery life—a stamina impossible for any current Wear OS watch, including the flagship OnePlus Watch 3.

The Watch Lite is positioned as an entry-level option, but the decision to use a proprietary operating system represents a major departure from the brand’s recent smartwatch strategy.

It means that the Watch Lite feels more like a successor to the very forgettable OG OnePlus Watch, which we criticized for its limited software experience and, really, everything else.

A new cross-platform strategy

Despite the lack of Wear OS, the Watch Lite is still shaping up to be a compelling option for those in the market for a budget smartwatch.

This is the first time a OnePlus smartwatch has officially supported iPhones, positioning the Watch Lite as a challenger to the likes of the Huawei Watch Fit 4 series and Xiaomi Watch S4.

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The Wareable take

This new wrinkle complicates what was shaping up to be an intriguing launch from OnePlus.

The quoted 10-day battery life is a nice touch—especially in a slim 8.9mm case—and the cross-platform play helps the brand challenge more broadly.

Yet, the lack of Wear OS means the Watch Lite sacrifices the rich app ecosystem and third-party utility that makes the OnePlus Watch 3 (and the 43mm equivalent) a strong competitor.

For Android users, the Watch Lite will now be less of a budget Wear OS option—which there now remains a serious lack of—and more of a high-end fitness tracker wearing a watch’s clothes.

Without the capabilities of Google Gemini and the Play Store’s apps, it won’t be the definitive budget Android smartwatch many were hoping for going into 2026. However, it may still be an option for some, so stay tuned for our full verdict coming soon.

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