In a world where smartphones and mobile devices have matured, buying a phone is no longer just about specs—it’s about buying into an ecosystem. Smartphones, smartwatches, earbuds, and tablets now work in harmony, but building that ecosystem often comes with a hefty price tag. OnePlus, however, is making an interesting case for affordability without sacrificing too much quality, and its ecosystem can now compete with Google’s and Apple’s, especially after Oxygen OS 15: here how it works the OnePlus OxygenOS Ecosystem.
After spending months immersed in OnePlus’ budget ecosystem, including the OnePlus 12, OnePlus Pad 2, the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, and now the OnePlus Watch 2R, I can confirm that all these products work good together, but also are well integrated with Windows and even with iPhone. During this period, I also could add OnePlus Open and OnePlus Nord 4, which means that ecosystem can work also for families or groups of people (like NordiskBil’s team)
The Smartphones and the Tablet: OnePlus 12, Nord 4 and OnePlus Pad 2
My everyday OP smartphone since April is the OnePlus 12, which I consider one of the best flagships of the year. While it doesn’t have the best design on the market (the back cover feels a bit cheap, the curved edges are uncomfortable, and the camera module is quite heavy), it offers unmatched fluidity, with a continuous 120 Hz frame rate, impressive processing speed that allows for smooth editing of TikTok videos, Reels, and lightweight YouTube content, as well as an engaging gaming experience. It’s also good for productivity, as I can quickly edit or even write articles on it, thanks to the satisfying haptic feedback.
The main reason I chose the 12, however, is its camera system developed with Hasselblad, which delivers exceptional photo quality, excellent videos even in low light (like the Lynk & Co 02 preview, which was entirely shot using it), and quick file transfers to Windows via QuickShare—or even to iPhone—quickly and effortlessly, even for large files (I record 20–30-minute videos in 4K at 60 fps).
The Nord 4, on the other hand, is the more elegant choice (it’s stunning) for those who don’t need extreme multimedia capabilities. Its photos and videos are good, but what’s most impressive for a device in its segment is the display, processing power (editing videos on it is fantastic as well), and ergonomics. The real compromise, unfortunately, is the lack of eSIM compatibility.
Both pair well with the tablet, which, despite some technical sacrifices (no SIM support and inability to act as a secondary display), is excellent for writing, consuming content, and, most importantly, projecting your phone’s interface.
This works even better than Apple’s solution, effectively creating an all-in-one experience that helps minimize distractions.
The Smartwatch: OnePlus Watch 2R
A key part of any ecosystem is the wearable, and the OnePlus Watch 2R delivers in surprising ways. With a lightweight aluminum chassis, vibrant OLED display, and impressive battery life of up to 100 hours, it’s one of the best budget smartwatches available.
The Watch 2R excels in fitness tracking and integrates seamlessly with the OnePlus OHealth app, providing accurate and engaging health data. However, the lack of LTE capability means it can’t function as a standalone device, which may be a limitation for some users.
Another problem, is the only device that still not work with iPhone. The importance is of course to pair with OnePlus devices, but since I have also an iPhone I woul have like to pair with that, like other Android Wear OS devices. I hope to find OHealth app soon on the App Store.
The Earbuds: Nord Buds 3 Pro
The Nord Buds 3 Pro rounds out the ecosystem but represents the weakest link in the trio. For their price, these earbuds deliver a really good sound quality, active noise cancellation, and a redesigned charging case. However, the gap between the Nord Buds 3 Pro and premium earbuds like the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is noticeable.
Investing a little more in higher-end earbuds would significantly enhance the overall experience, but if you, like me, don’t need a premium experience they’re are quite good.
Is the OnePlus Ecosystem worth it?
The standout feature of the OnePlus ecosystem is its affordability. For the combined cost of a single flagship phone from the other brands, you can get a capable smartphone, smartwatch, and earbuds. While there are compromises—like the lack of eSim in Nord4 or the SIM compatibility in Pad 2—the hardware performance of the OnePlus 12, and especially Nord 4 and Watch 2R are impressive for the price.
And, again, everything works fluid, good. There’s still space for improvement (I dream a Pad that can be a second screen for laptops), but this is the right way.
