The LG Watch Style (built in collaboration with Google) offers everything that's to love from the best Android Wear smartwatches , ditches the dreaded flat tire, then fills in the gap with cool, useful features and a whole lot of… style .
Roll that all up and you're left with an extremely alluring presentation that makes a mighty strong argument for Google's wearable platform. But there are some familiar wrinkles here.
Battery life is still a low point, and, as independent asAndroid Wear 2.0 claims to be, Google is still in the early days of filling the new Play Store with compatible apps that are enticing enough to bother with aside from its own. The Style's appeal lies more in what it will be soon, rather than what it is at launch.
That said, it’s easy to express why the Style is the only smartwatch we want to put on our wrists. For $249 (UK and AU pricing haven't been announced yet, but converts to £200 / AU$325), it offers just as much utility as prior smartwatch attempts, but ups the ante with a slim, dashing design and several welcome features, like the voice-activated Google Assistant and a refreshed user interface that's full of clever tweaks.
Roll that all up and you're left with an extremely alluring presentation that makes a mighty strong argument for Google's wearable platform. But there are some familiar wrinkles here.
Battery life is still a low point, and, as independent as
That said, it’s easy to express why the Style is the only smartwatch we want to put on our wrists. For $249 (UK and AU pricing haven't been announced yet, but converts to £200 / AU$325), it offers just as much utility as prior smartwatch attempts, but ups the ante with a slim, dashing design and several welcome features, like the voice-activated Google Assistant and a refreshed user interface that's full of clever tweaks.
The LG Watch Style is priced aggressively compared to past smartwatches and even many of the best fitness trackers out there. The Style may not be quite as independent from your phone as the cellular-ready LG Watch Sport , but it's currently one of the smartest wearables around, and one of the smartest purchases you could make this year.
LG Watch Style release date and price
The LG Watch Style will be available on February 10 in the United States at Best Buy retail and online stores, as well as from the Google Store.
Unfortunately, Google hasn’t provided us with specific release date or pricing information for regions outside of the US, but has shared that it “will be available at carriers and retailers across Canada, Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, UAE and U.K. in the coming weeks”.
We’ll update this section when we know more.
As mentioned, the Style sells for $249, which is the same price the original Moto 360launched at, and $20 higher than the Asus ZenWatch 3 . But for a smartwatch with the most recent Android Wear software out of the box and some cutting-edge smartwatch features, this doesn’t seem like a ridiculous price to ask.
We’ll update this section when we know more.
As mentioned, the Style sells for $249, which is the same price the original Moto 360launched at, and $20 higher than the Asus ZenWatch 3 . But for a smartwatch with the most recent Android Wear software out of the box and some cutting-edge smartwatch features, this doesn’t seem like a ridiculous price to ask.
Design
- It’s like the Pebble Time Round and Moto 360 2nd Gen had a baby
- The thinnest
Android Wear smartwatch yet at 10.8mm and light, too - As such, it essentially disappears on the wrist
On the wrist the Style is minimal indeed, which is something we've been dying to say about an Android Wear smartwatch for years. The soft and rounded sand-blasted stainless steel chassis definitely plays a big part in that. But it's also one of the lighter smartwatches we've worn at 46 grams; for the sake of comparison, the LG Watch Sport is nearly double the weight at 89 grams.
Around the watch you'll find familiar classic timepiece accents like a circular build and a prominent hardware button. A few other smartwatches, like the Moto 360 2nd Gen, the Huawei Watch and others feature such design traits.
But you'll also stumble upon some features that are unique to this watch, most notably the colorful 1.2-inch P-OLED 360 x 360 resolution (299ppi) display, which has an ambient light sensor (ALS) embedded beneath the screen. Remember the dreaded flat tire? LG and Google have figured out how to get rid of it.
Next up, the button here doubles as a twistable crown that puts a new spin on navigating through Android Wear (think: Apple Watch ’s Digital Crown). So far, the only other Google watch to feature this functionality is the LG Watch Sport, but expect to see this feature coming to many others, both new and old, in the future.
But you'll also stumble upon some features that are unique to this watch, most notably the colorful 1.2-inch P-OLED 360 x 360 resolution (299ppi) display, which has an ambient light sensor (ALS) embedded beneath the screen. Remember the dreaded flat tire? LG and Google have figured out how to get rid of it.
Next up, the button here doubles as a twistable crown that puts a new spin on navigating through Android Wear (think: Apple Watch ’s Digital Crown). So far, the only other Google watch to feature this functionality is the LG Watch Sport, but expect to see this feature coming to many others, both new and old, in the future.
Moving to the bottom of the watch, the smooth matte plastic bottom that allows for conductive charging also aids in keeping it light on the wrist and cool to the touch after charging . Fortunately, steel makes up a large part of its build, so the use of plastic doesn’t detract from the premium look and feel.
Basically, the LG Watch Style is equal parts Pebble Time Round and Moto 360 2nd Gen in its design. LG and Google supplied TechRadar with a rose gold review unit, which stands apart from the current fleet of Android Wear smartwatches a little more clearly than the silver and black options.
Basically, the LG Watch Style is equal parts Pebble Time Round and Moto 360 2nd Gen in its design. LG and Google supplied TechRadar with a rose gold review unit, which stands apart from the current fleet of Android Wear smartwatches a little more clearly than the silver and black options.
The 42mm watch measures up at 42.3 x 45.7 x 10.79mm and comes with a cream colored leather band, but accepts any and all 18mm bands – including Google’s ownAndroid Wear Mode bands, which are available in both leather and silicone.
Inside the box there’s a magnetic conductive charger and wall plug included – the Style can automatically orient its screen in landscape mode when on its side, so it makes a decent bed-side clock if you’re in a pinch.
Inside the box there’s a magnetic conductive charger and wall plug included – the Style can automatically orient its screen in landscape mode when on its side, so it makes a decent bed-side clock if you’re in a pinch.
- New Snapdragon chipset mixed with tried and true specs make for a smooth experience
- LG and Google have figured out how to banish the dreaded flat tire
- Google Fit’s much-needed update makes Android Wear surprisingly fitness-savvy
In the way it's being promoted, you could consider the LG Watch Style as a flagship smartwatch. But a look at the tech inside shows that it doesn’t pack in any more than it needs to.
The 360 x 360 display is running at a slightly lower resolution than the Huawei Watch, which runs at 400 x 400, but the pixel density here is slightly greater at 299ppi versus 286ppi – a difference you’ll likely not notice unless you’re really searching. We're well acquainted with the Huawei Watch, and the two look remarkably similar in terms of their display quality.
Underneath the screen, LG has thankfully opted for the Snapdragon Wear 2100chipset, instead of the outdated Snapdragon 400 series that powered the first wave of Android Wear smartwatches.
The 360 x 360 display is running at a slightly lower resolution than the Huawei Watch, which runs at 400 x 400, but the pixel density here is slightly greater at 299ppi versus 286ppi – a difference you’ll likely not notice unless you’re really searching. We're well acquainted with the Huawei Watch, and the two look remarkably similar in terms of their display quality.
Underneath the screen, LG has thankfully opted for the Snapdragon Wear 2100chipset, instead of the outdated Snapdragon 400 series that powered the first wave of Android Wear smartwatches.
Since its launch in late 2016, we’ve seen this long-awaited tech arrive in a few Android Wear 2.0-compatible devices, like the Asus ZenWatch 3 and Fossil Q Wander . But the Style is the first to put it to full use, with the new software and all its perks out of the box.
The LG Watch Style features 512MB of RAM and 4GB of onboard storage, two specs that haven’t wiggled much since Android Wear watches were introduced in 2015.
The LG Watch Style features 512MB of RAM and 4GB of onboard storage, two specs that haven’t wiggled much since Android Wear watches were introduced in 2015.
It might seem a bit strange for a cutting-edge smartwatch to stick to old ways, but when paired with the new Snapdragon Wear chipset and Android Wear 2.0, day-to-day use seems to hum along more smoothly and quickly on the whole here than we’ve seen with previous version of the OS.
Performance
While the LG Watch Style doesn’t break many barriers in terms of its specs (apart from the newer chipset), it has no problem providing a solid experience throughout.
The Style gets a special nod for doing so all while handling a greater amount of tasks independently of your paired phone, a new skill bestowed by Android Wear 2.0.
That freedom allows you to do things like running native applications through the new Google Play Store that’s integrated right into the watch; sending messages via emoji, voice or swipe keyboard; and playing with watch face complications – an endlessly entertaining and potential-filled addition to Google’s watch OS. And they're just a few of the new tricks to be discovered.
The Style gets a special nod for doing so all while handling a greater amount of tasks independently of your paired phone, a new skill bestowed by Android Wear 2.0.
That freedom allows you to do things like running native applications through the new Google Play Store that’s integrated right into the watch; sending messages via emoji, voice or swipe keyboard; and playing with watch face complications – an endlessly entertaining and potential-filled addition to Google’s watch OS. And they're just a few of the new tricks to be discovered.
Despite the diminutive upgrades to its spec sheet, our time with the LG Watch Style wasn’t filled with the usual issues we experience with most Android Wear smartwatches.
The new operating system, fresh out of its long developer preview stint, is much more fluid than before; it crashes less often, and although app boot times aren’t instantaneous, it sure beats reaching for our phone.
Better yet, compared to Android Wear 1.5, we're now spending more time than ever just having fun with the watch, and executing actions we weren't able to before.
Better yet, compared to Android Wear 1.5, we're now spending more time than ever just having fun with the watch, and executing actions we weren't able to before.
Although doing so puts some serious strain on the battery, we're more than happy to stick it on the charger so we can get back to barking commands to Google Assistant all the sooner – more on this a little later on.
Fitness
Android Wear isn’t exactly synonymous with fitness tracking, but the latest iteration of the OS looks to change that. Although the Style lacks the heart rate sensor and barometer found in the LG Watch Sport, it’s still a fairly robust fitness tracker thanks to the improvements made to Google Fit.
Having also graduated to version 2.0, Google Fit is blended into the new OS at a deeper level, and as a result is more capable than you may remember - with complications now available.
Having also graduated to version 2.0, Google Fit is blended into the new OS at a deeper level, and as a result is more capable than you may remember - with complications now available.
Many of the default watch faces (which borrow from the best themes and wallpapers from Google’s Nexus and Pixel lineup) allow you to embed stats like step count, your fitness goals, or a quick shortcut to begin an exercise of your choice in seconds.
In addition to making it easier to queue up a workout, Google Fit now offers a greater variety to choose from than before. Instead of some rather binary options, like walking, running, biking and a few challenges, Google Fit now offers more diverse workouts. Here’s the full list of heart-pumping workouts you can track:
- Walking
- Running
- Treadmill running
- Biking
- Stationary biking
- Aerobics
- Stair climbing machine
- Push-up challenge
- Sit-up challenge
- Squat challenge
Whether you’ve selected aerobics or any other available workout, you can narrow down your focus by adjusting the metrics tracked. Is time spent at the gym more important than the number of calories burnt? Are you gunning for a good pace for a marathon? Then you can choose to prioritize these over steps taken. These types of adjustments are simple.
In the case of the Style, the list of workouts supported is limited by the hardware inside. The LG Watch Sport , which features a heart rate sensor and barometer, is able to provide heart-rate targeted training, and can track the amount of steps you’ve taken.
According to Google, the Sport’s exclusive 'strength training' exercise utilizes the accelerometer and gyroscope to track the watch’s location on all three axes, to track basically whatever sort of muscle-building activity you might be doing.
If those stats are super-important to you then the Sport may be the better option, even if it’s a much larger fit on the wrist.
Lastly, the Style is rated IP67 for resistance to dust and water. This comes in handy when working out, as the watch can easily take some sweat or the one-off splash of water; just make sure you take it off before you dive into the pool.
In the case of the Style, the list of workouts supported is limited by the hardware inside. The LG Watch Sport , which features a heart rate sensor and barometer, is able to provide heart-rate targeted training, and can track the amount of steps you’ve taken.
According to Google, the Sport’s exclusive 'strength training' exercise utilizes the accelerometer and gyroscope to track the watch’s location on all three axes, to track basically whatever sort of muscle-building activity you might be doing.
If those stats are super-important to you then the Sport may be the better option, even if it’s a much larger fit on the wrist.
Lastly, the Style is rated IP67 for resistance to dust and water. This comes in handy when working out, as the watch can easily take some sweat or the one-off splash of water; just make sure you take it off before you dive into the pool.
- Native apps make Android Wear miles better for iOS users
- Promise of apps is good, but they need to come fast to compete with watchOS
- Battery is small and its performance isn’t great, a cost to pay for thinness and functionality
Historically, this section of a smartwatch review is usually reserved as a place for us to simultaneously celebrate and roast Android Wear.
Previous iterations of the operating system have extended compatibility to Apple’s side of the game, which is awesome, but the experience up to this point has been a far cry compared to what Android phone owners experience.
But those days are over, mostly. Now, even iPhone users can realize their non-Apple Watch’s potential (or at least way more of it) thanks to Android Wear 2.0.
But those days are over, mostly. Now, even iPhone users can realize their non-Apple Watch’s potential (or at least way more of it) thanks to Android Wear 2.0.
Just like with watches paired to an Android phone, iOS users will now be able to download native apps from the integrated Play Store, and reap all of the other benefits of the new software.
It remains to be seen if Android users will be treated to new features first, but Google has lowered the divide a great deal.
It remains to be seen if Android users will be treated to new features first, but Google has lowered the divide a great deal.
One of the few remaining obstacles is, of course, iMessages and other Apple-specific apps; although when (not if) Google launches Allo for Android Wear 2.0, that will be a good option for cross-communication between iOS and Android users.
Oh, and we're sure you were curious about which watches will receive the update. Here’s the rather exhaustive list of Android Wear 2.0 compatible smartwatches .
Oh, and we're sure you were curious about which watches will receive the update. Here’s the rather exhaustive list of Android Wear 2.0 compatible smartwatches .
Apps
Apps are thankfully no longer an afterthought for Android Wear – and better yet, many more of them don’t require you to have your phone nearby, or even paired up with your watch over Bluetooth.
While you do need to perform the initial pairing with your compatible smartphone (iOS 8.2 or Android 4.3 and above), the Style is leash-free so long as you remain under the umbrella of a Wi-Fi hotspot. This is thanks to the fact that Android Wear 2.0 copies your Google account to the watch, bringing along your downloaded apps, music, text message history and Google Assistant preferences.
While you do need to perform the initial pairing with your compatible smartphone (iOS 8.2 or Android 4.3 and above), the Style is leash-free so long as you remain under the umbrella of a Wi-Fi hotspot. This is thanks to the fact that Android Wear 2.0 copies your Google account to the watch, bringing along your downloaded apps, music, text message history and Google Assistant preferences.
Of course, if you choose to roam outside and dig into Google Maps, which is one of the few apps that have received a fresh coat of paint for the new software launch, you’ll need to pair up with your phone for accurate tracking – something that the LG Watch Sport can do all on its own through inbuilt GPS and data chips.
Google has told us that it’s working with numerous developers to ensure that the Play Store has more than enough native apps at launch to keep users busy.
For starters, expect to see Facebook Messenger, Glide, Google Messenger, Hangouts, Telegram and WhatsApp coming in for messaging.
Google has told us that it’s working with numerous developers to ensure that the Play Store has more than enough native apps at launch to keep users busy.
For starters, expect to see Facebook Messenger, Glide, Google Messenger, Hangouts, Telegram and WhatsApp coming in for messaging.
In addition, AccuWeather, Bring!, Foursquare, Google Fit , Google Messenger, Google Play Music, Lifesum, Robinhood, Runkeeper, Runtastic, Strava, Telegram, Uber and many more are on their way – and the list will only grow.
But building the app catalog will be an uphill climb, especially when watchOS from Apple is definitely ahead in terms of native apps.
It’s worth noting that the LG Watch Style’s hardware may hamper the types of apps you can use. For example, it unfortunately doesn’t feature a built-in speaker, so you won’t be able to take a call.
But building the app catalog will be an uphill climb, especially when watchOS from Apple is definitely ahead in terms of native apps.
It’s worth noting that the LG Watch Style’s hardware may hamper the types of apps you can use. For example, it unfortunately doesn’t feature a built-in speaker, so you won’t be able to take a call.
Also, if you were hoping for an Android Pay-ready smartwatch, you’ll want to direct your attention once again to the LG Watch Sport .
But those functions aren't ubiquitous in smartwatches yet, and the Style and many previously released smartwatches will be compatible with most of what the Play Store has to offer. But it’s important to consider, given that not all Android Wear smartwatches are created equal.
But those functions aren't ubiquitous in smartwatches yet, and the Style and many previously released smartwatches will be compatible with most of what the Play Store has to offer. But it’s important to consider, given that not all Android Wear smartwatches are created equal.
Battery life
“ How big could the battery be ?” we asked ourselves worriedly as we took the stylish LG Watch Style out of its box. As it turns out, not very big at all.
At 240mAh, it’s on the small side as far as battery capacities go in a smartwatch, and it shows.
Obviously, the more you use the watch, the less time it will last. And during much of our testing period, we were flicking our wrist around at least once every few minutes. Under that sort of use, we were reaching for a charger before the day came to an end.
On the last day of testing, though, we left it alone for the most part, and even with a steady stream of notifications coming in and text messages going out, it easily lasted the whole day.
Obviously, the more you use the watch, the less time it will last. And during much of our testing period, we were flicking our wrist around at least once every few minutes. Under that sort of use, we were reaching for a charger before the day came to an end.
On the last day of testing, though, we left it alone for the most part, and even with a steady stream of notifications coming in and text messages going out, it easily lasted the whole day.
On the one hand, the battery life is no better than it was before, which is hugely disappointing. The Snapdragon Wear 2100 was supposed to change all of that.
But on the other hand we're able to do so much more with the watch while it’s alive that the disappointment is more or less asuaged. A life full is better than a life long, right?
That’s not to say that it pleases us to carry around the conductive charger everywhere we go, but this seems to be the price we have to pay after we all loudly demanded thinner and more capable watches last year.
But on the other hand we're able to do so much more with the watch while it’s alive that the disappointment is more or less asuaged. A life full is better than a life long, right?
That’s not to say that it pleases us to carry around the conductive charger everywhere we go, but this seems to be the price we have to pay after we all loudly demanded thinner and more capable watches last year.
Optimists that we are, we won’t rule out the possibility that Google could improve efficiency in future updates to Android Wear 2.0 – but we could very well be seeing the hard limitations of modern battery tech.
Once the Style is placed on the puck-like charging dock it can charge halfway in about 40 minutes, and fully in about an hour and a half.
Once the Style is placed on the puck-like charging dock it can charge halfway in about 40 minutes, and fully in about an hour and a half.
LG is no stranger to Android Wear. Its previous smartwatches are among the best around to date, and the LG Watch Style strengthens that pedigree.
The LG Watch Sport fills in some of the blanks in the hardware department and, by extension, adds some crucial functionality for hyper-connected people, fitness gurus and Android Pay fans. That said, the LG Watch Style is undeniably a more fashionable device, and cheaper to boot.
As this smartwatch was built in close collaboration with Google you can expect its best qualities to set the precedent for what we're likely to see more of this year. And – good news – what's here is more or less exactly what we'd hoped to see.
But some of the familiar pain points of Android Wear, like the worse-than-expected battery life, are here, and unfortunately not likely to go away any time soon.
The LG Watch Sport fills in some of the blanks in the hardware department and, by extension, adds some crucial functionality for hyper-connected people, fitness gurus and Android Pay fans. That said, the LG Watch Style is undeniably a more fashionable device, and cheaper to boot.
As this smartwatch was built in close collaboration with Google you can expect its best qualities to set the precedent for what we're likely to see more of this year. And – good news – what's here is more or less exactly what we'd hoped to see.
But some of the familiar pain points of Android Wear, like the worse-than-expected battery life, are here, and unfortunately not likely to go away any time soon.
Who's this for?
The LG Watch Style is the thinnest Android Wear smartwatch yet at 10.8mm, which alone is enough for some to spring for LG’s latest.
But if you need convincing, there are certainly more reasons to be interested. It’s easily the most striking Android Wear smartwatch out there, and will appeal to fashionistas as well as those who don't have time for excess in design.
It’s also one of the first non-Apple Watches to essentially be fully compatible with iOS – just one of many perks to be found in Google’s new OS version.
But if you need convincing, there are certainly more reasons to be interested. It’s easily the most striking Android Wear smartwatch out there, and will appeal to fashionistas as well as those who don't have time for excess in design.
It’s also one of the first non-Apple Watches to essentially be fully compatible with iOS – just one of many perks to be found in Google’s new OS version.
Should you buy it?
The Style proves that LG has its finger on the pulse, listening to what customers want in a smartwatch. And with Google’s help, it's had the opportunity to put into practice what it's learned before anyone else.
However, it’s entirely possible that its competitors are listening just as carefully, and could outshine LG’s stylish smartwatch before 2017 is half over.
If this is your first smartwatch, the value here is exceptional for the $249 (UK and AU price still to be officially compared, but convert to £200 / AU$325) price tag.
Although many current smartwatches will be treated to the new Android Wear 2.0 software, that chances are good that LG’s latest is both better looking and slightly more capable with its slick, twistable crown.
That goes double for iPhone owners. If you’re looking for a cheaper and more traditional-looking alternative to the Apple Watch, you probably just found it.
However, it’s entirely possible that its competitors are listening just as carefully, and could outshine LG’s stylish smartwatch before 2017 is half over.
If this is your first smartwatch, the value here is exceptional for the $249 (UK and AU price still to be officially compared, but convert to £200 / AU$325) price tag.
Although many current smartwatches will be treated to the new Android Wear 2.0 software, that chances are good that LG’s latest is both better looking and slightly more capable with its slick, twistable crown.
That goes double for iPhone owners. If you’re looking for a cheaper and more traditional-looking alternative to the Apple Watch, you probably just found it.
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