Smartwatches have evolved rapidly over the past decade, moving from niche gadgets to everyday devices that track health, fitness and daily activity. Many early models leaned heavily into the “tech gadget” look, something that didn’t always appeal to people who preferred the style of a traditional watch. The OPPO Watch S attempts to strike a balance between modern smartwatch features and a clean, wearable design that fits comfortably into daily life.
After spending time with the device, it’s clear the Watch S sits somewhere between classic feature-packed smartwatches and more traditional fitness trackers.
Design and Display
A Compact but Premium Build
One of the standout aspects of the OPPO Watch S is its design. The watch features a 1.46-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 464 × 464 pixels, housed within a body measuring 44.98mm across and just 8.9mm thick.
Despite the generous screen size, the watch remains impressively light. It weighs around 35 grams on its own, or approximately 83 grams when paired with the woven strap.
The display itself is bright and easy to read, and the touchscreen feels responsive in daily use. While the specifications mention only a standard protective glass layer, the panel performs well when navigating menus, checking notifications or reviewing health data.
Customisation Options
The companion smartphone app allows users to adjust various watch settings and download additional watch faces. More than 50 options are available, and many allow custom “complications” so users can display key metrics such as heart rate, steps or weather information.
A rotating crown on the upper left side of the stainless steel case serves multiple purposes. It returns the user to the home screen, scrolls through menus and can be customised with a long press for quick access to frequently used features.
On the lower right side of the case sits a sensor that acts as a terminal for ECG measurements and the device’s Wellness Overview feature.
Health Tracking and Sensors
Comprehensive Monitoring Features
For a relatively compact smartwatch, the OPPO Watch S includes a wide array of sensors. These include:
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Geomagnetic sensor
- Air pressure sensor
- Optical heart rate monitor
- Blood oxygen (SpO₂) sensor
- ECG capability
- Wrist temperature sensor
- Ambient light sensor
Together, these allow the watch to track a wide range of health indicators and daily activity metrics.
One of the more useful functions is sleep tracking. The watch monitors sleep patterns while also analysing wrist temperature variations during the night.
Another feature is the 60-second Wellness Check, which gathers multiple health readings and presents them in a simple dashboard. It provides an at-a-glance snapshot of overall wellbeing.
There is also continuous Mind and Body monitoring designed to track stress levels and encourage users to take breaks during busy days.
Some functions require a short calibration period. For example, the wrist temperature sensor collects data for several days to establish a baseline before daily readings become available.
ECG and Blood Oxygen Measurements
Both ECG and SpO₂ readings are completed in around 30 seconds. Results are shown immediately on the watch or in the companion app.
Users can view heart rhythm information, including sinus rhythm and potential atrial fibrillation indicators. These reports can also be exported as a PDF to share with a healthcare professional if needed.
One limitation is that the watch does not appear to generate automatic alerts for irregular rhythms detected outside of manual tests.
Fitness Tracking and Location Support
Tracking Everyday Exercise
The OPPO Watch S supports a range of workout types, including walking, running and cycling, as well as activities such as tennis, swimming and mountain climbing.
Using sensor data collected during these activities, the watch generates performance insights such as:
- Cardiopulmonary capacity
- Heart rate recovery
- Recovery time recommendations
- Running metrics and tracking
For people focused on moderate exercise or general health monitoring, the features cover most common fitness needs.
Built-In GPS and Positioning
The watch also includes support for several satellite positioning systems, including:
- GPS
- Galileo
- GLONASS
- QZSS
This allows users to track workouts and routes without needing to carry a smartphone.
Connectivity and Everyday Features
The OPPO Watch S connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Users can receive notifications from selected apps, although the watch does not currently support replying to messages.
Music playback can be controlled directly from the wrist, and the watch works with popular streaming apps such as Spotify as well as other services that use standard media controls.
Additional built-in tools include:
- Barometer
- Weather summaries each morning
- Compass
Unlike some competing smartwatches, there is no dedicated app store. The device runs OPPO’s own operating system, ColorOS Watch 7.1, rather than Google’s Wear OS platform.
NFC and Payments
The watch includes an NFC chip, though its functionality is limited. It can be used for cloning certain access cards but does not support mobile payments, which reduces its everyday usefulness in places where contactless payments are common.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance is one of the Watch S’s strengths. The device uses a 330mAh battery that OPPO claims can last up to 10 days with light usage.
With the always-on display enabled, official estimates suggest around four days. In practical use, the battery lasted roughly six days between charges.
Charging is handled through a USB cable with a magnetic dock that aligns the watch automatically, making it easy to top up the battery. A short charge during a daily routine — such as while showering — can add enough power for several additional days.
Water Resistance
The OPPO Watch S carries an IP68 rating and supports water resistance up to 5ATM.
In practical terms, this means it can handle rain, splashes and swimming in a pool. However, the manufacturer advises against showering with the watch or using it for diving activities.
Final Verdict
The OPPO Watch S may not offer the extensive app ecosystem seen on some larger smartwatch platforms, but it focuses on the features many users actually rely on — health monitoring, exercise tracking and everyday convenience.
Its lightweight design makes it comfortable enough to wear all day, while the always-on display adds a touch of traditional watch styling.
For people primarily interested in reliable health tracking and solid battery life, the Watch S delivers a well-balanced smartwatch experience at a price of around $329.
Alexander Donovan writes for News Collective, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, reliable reporting and useful information, helping readers stay informed about current events, emerging trends, and stories that matter.