The connected watch market is booming, and manufacturers are competing in ingenuity to offer ever more innovative products. But what to do when the same product is found under two different names? This is the case of the Oppo Watch X and the OnePlus Watch 2, two watches that are almost identical except for a few details.
Two watches, one soul?
Announced a few days apart, the Oppo Watch X and OnePlus Watch 2 immediately suggest a case of “ cloning ”. Design, features, technical sheet… Everything seems identical, with the exception of an additional color for the Oppo version and slightly different availability.
Here is a summary table of the characteristics of the Oppo Watch X and the OnePlus Watch 2:
| Functionality | Oppo Watch | OnePlus Watch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 1.43-inch AMOLED, 466 x 466 pixels, 2.5D sapphire glass | 1.43-inch AMOLED, 466 x 466 pixels, 2.5D sapphire glass |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 |
| Memory | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage | 2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage |
| Battery | 500 mAh, up to 48 hours (smart mode), 100 hours (standard mode), 12 days (power saving) | 500 mAh, up to 48 hours (smart mode), 100 hours (standard mode), 12 days (power saving) |
| Connectivity | NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, GPS, MIL-STD-810H | NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, GPS, MIL-STD-810H |
| Compatibility | Android 8.0+, GMS 23.45.23+ | Android 8.0+, GMS 23.45.23+ |
| Price | Unknown | From €300 |
As you can see, both watches are virtually identical in terms of features.
R&D merger and marketing strategy
This striking resemblance is no coincidence. Indeed, Oppo and OnePlus merged their R&D divisions almost three years ago . It therefore makes sense that the two brands share technologies and designs.
But then, what is the strategy behind this duplication?
Several hypotheses can be put forward. The first is that Oppo wants to test the Asian market with its Watch X before launching it globally. The second is that the two brands target slightly different market segments, playing on the respective notoriety of Oppo and OnePlus.
A tough choice for consumers
In any case, this situation presents consumers with a difficult choice. Should we favor the Oppo brand for its more traditional image, or opt for OnePlus and its more youthful and daring positioning?
An uncertain future for both watches
The success of both watches will depend on several factors, including price, availability and features specific to each model. It will also be interesting to see if Oppo and OnePlus continue to release near-identical products in the future.
In conclusion, the Oppo Watch X and OnePlus Watch 2 raise interesting questions about the strategy of smartwatch manufacturers . The future will tell whether this “cloning” strategy is a success or a failure.
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