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LG Watch Urbane vs G Watch R vs Watch Urbane LTE – hands-on comparison (Video)

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LG has been around the Android Wear scene since the beginning. First we saw the original G Watch, then came the G Watch R, but this year LG is raising the bar in a big way. For 2015, LG has two new offerings. One of which is a stylistic upgrade over the G Watch R and another that takes its wearable mission outside of the Android Wear space altogether. Today we’re taking a quick look at LG’s Watch Urbane and Urbane LTE. How do these watches compare to previous releases from LG? Well, let’s go ahead and find out…

Since the beginning of LG’s major step into the wearable spotlight, Android Wear has been a major player in its wrist-worn agenda. The Watch Urbane continues this legacy, but with added style for those seeking a sophisticated look. Compared to the G Watch R, features and specifications are identical.

Essentially, this is a G Watch R that moved into a new home in a better area. Nothing more, nothing less. Everything found on Android Wear is present, but as I mentioned this is for those seeking a different look from what the G Watch R’s masculine physique offers.

The G Watch R and Watch Urbane are similar in size and shape. Even the functionality is identical, but there’s no denying that each style will appeal to different people and LG seems to understand that. If you were looking towards the Watch Urbane as an upgrade, you won’t find it here, but again the point here is style-based diversification.

Check out our Watch Urbane vs G Watch R vs Watch Urbane LTE video below:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVnqLPfm6zE]

If you’re unsatisfied with those two options, LG recently revealed the Watch Urbane LTE. Just as its name implies, the Watch Urbane can act as a standalone smartwatch with 4G connectivity. It has the ability to connect and sync up with your smartphone, but that’s not the point. Compared to the G Watch R and Watch Urbane, the LTE variant of the latter takes on a completely different form, function, and classification than its wearable brethren. It’s a bit bulkier and doesn’t allow for band replacement as that’s where its radio antennas are stored, but it does offer standalone connectivity which will be appealing to some.

LG’s Watch Urbane LTE doesn’t have to play by Google’s strict Android Wear rules as it’s based on a WebOS concoction called LG Wearable Platform. With this, a wide variety of features and functionality become available that wouldn’t be found on a typical Android Wear smartwatch. Unlike Android Wear, the navigation and UI is completely different and intuitive which pairs well with its round display. Samsung has also moved into self-sufficient smartwatches with the Gear S which runs Tizen, but LG’s move is much cleaner and seems to be a better performer overall.

Most daily tasks such as making calls, creating and responding to text messages, check email, and more can be accomplished on the Watch Urbane LTE, but I think the full keyboard may be a little much for what this smartwatch is trying to accomplish. I’d personally be happy with only dictation, but to each his own.

Don’t worry though, LG has no plans to leave Android Wear behind, but instead wanted to bring another option to its smartwatch lineup that offers a different take on things and I’m okay that. If you’d like to find out more about the Watch Urbane or Watch Urbane LTE variant including specifications, pricing and availability, click here.

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