🔍 Summary:
The OnePlus Watch 3, initially set to be priced at $330, has launched at a significantly higher price of $500 in the U.S. This unexpected price hike is attributed to the recent surge in tariffs on Chinese goods, which have escalated to 145 percent due to deteriorating trade relations between the U.S. and China. The increase in tariffs came at a particularly challenging time for OnePlus, as the company had already delayed the watch’s release from February to April to correct a typo on the device that misprinted “Made in China” as “Meda in China.”
Despite its robust features, including a 1.5-inch OLED screen, Snapdragon W5 processor, 32GB of storage, and 2GB of RAM, the OnePlus Watch 3 is now priced competitively with higher-end models like the Pixel Watch and Apple Watch, potentially diminishing its appeal in a market where it once offered a cost-effective alternative. This price adjustment could have broader implications for OnePlus’s pricing strategy across its range of tech products, including phones and other devices, especially if high tariff rates continue.