Smart watch LG Watch Style: overview of functions and characteristics

Not long ago, Android Wear 2.0 was finally released. Along with the new version of the operating system, smart watches from LG, created in partnership with Google, were released. There have been a lot of rumors about this watch and we have been waiting for it for a long time. The watch turned out to be completely different from what we expected it to be. LG and Google were able to surprise. For some reason, the LG Watch Style is cheaper than the LG Watch Sport. We will try to compare them and find out which of them are more worthy of attention.

Let's start the comparison with the characteristics.

Performance

Everyone who has been able to test the new watch says one thing: the difference in performance is not noticeable at this stage, and where it can be noticed, it is completely insignificant. The Sport model has more RAM, which should affect performance. Alas, watches running Android Wear today are not tasked with serious and complex tasks. Today, if you pick up the LG Watch Sport, it will seem like the fastest smartwatch. If you take the LG Watch Style, you will feel the same.

LG Watch Style design and build quality

LG Watch Style features a polished 316L stainless steel dial. Even the crown is made of metal but is opaque, while the back of the case is made of plastic. On the right side is a single physical button, which feels nice to the touch, offering small indentations that can be used as a scroll wheel for easy menu navigation.

Physical button on the right

The name of this smartwatch immediately shows the brand's intention to release a device suitable for users who want a more elegant and compact design (10.8 mm thick). The smartwatch is ideal for thinner wrists, making it suitable for women. With a simple gesture you can replace the 18mm straps, which come in several colors in Italian leather or plastic.

The back case is made of plastic

The watch style is IP67 certified, which means it is water and dust resistant.

Changing straps is really easy!

LG Watch Style is comfortable to wear. The watch straps are soft and do not restrict movement. I have to admit that when holding it in your hand, perhaps due to the plastic body and it only weighs 46g, it does give the impression of a "cheap" device. On the wrist, however, it looks quite nice.

Customizable plastic and Italian leather straps

Autonomy

The specifications tell us that the LG Watch Sport has a larger battery. But it is worth considering that the screen in this version is larger, and it is also equipped with NFC, GPS, LTE and a heart rate sensor. The operation of all these functions cannot but affect battery life. As a result, the two different versions of the watch demonstrate approximately equal autonomy. In some cases, the LG Watch Style may last longer on a single charge, despite having a smaller battery capacity.

LG Watch Style Software

The Watch Style and its brother, the Watch Sport, are the first two smartwatches to launch with Android Wear 2.0. The new software version finally makes the wearable more autonomous, and the interface introduces Google Assistant, Play Store and new watch faces.

• Android Wear 2.0: a second chance for smartwatches

By swiping left, you can change your wallpaper.
The ability to navigate menus by rotating a physical button makes navigation easier and more intuitive. In the settings menu, you can also enable gestures, which give you access to notifications and settings with just a swipe of your hand. You can customize watch face colors and designs and place your favorite apps at the top of the list for easy access. Even iPhone owners can rely on LG's Watch Style, thanks to Android Wear 2.0.

At first glance, Android Wear 2.0 runs smoothly and, compared to the previous version, seems to provide a good user experience.

NFC, GPS, LTE and heart rate sensor

If you're deciding between two models, the main question you should ask yourself is whether you need the above features. Do you expect to make payments using your watch, which is quite convenient? Do you want to accurately track your activity during sports? Should your watch work away from your smartphone? If you can confidently answer yes to everything, then the LG Watch Style, which cannot do all this, is not suitable for you.

Specifications LG Watch Style

Appearance

But there are also those who do not need the functions listed in the previous paragraph. There are people who want to wear a beautiful watch made from attractive and quality materials, but also want to receive notifications and have access to some other smartwatch features. In this case, keep in mind that the LG Watch Sport looks very massive, while the LG Watch Style looks neat and elegant.

LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport - the first smart watches on Android Wear 2.0

Google has officially unveiled the LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport smartwatches, which will be the first wearable devices to ship with the Android Wear 2.0 software platform pre-installed.

The new LG Watch Style and LG Watch Sport smartwatches were created in collaboration between Google and LG. The new models support key features of Android Wear 2.0: a more informative watch face, new ways to use apps, and more ways to stay connected with friends and family.

Also, the new smart watches support the function of the digital personal assistant Google Assistant, which so far “communicates” only in English and German, although in the future it is planned to significantly expand the list of languages ​​supported by the watch. Both models have a round dial with a rotating bezel.

As the name suggests, the LG Watch Style looks more formal and more sophisticated. The smartwatch is equipped with a 1.2-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 360 × 360 pixels, a Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip, 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of flash memory, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n wireless modules , Bluetooth 4.2 and a 240 mAh battery. The model is resistant to moisture and dust according to IP67 standard.

If the thickness of the LG Watch Style case is 10.8 mm, then the LG Watch Sport case is much more massive - 14.2 mm thick. Thanks to the modem, LG Watch Sport, in addition to Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2, also supports 3G and 4G LTE networks, providing Internet access without connecting to a smartphone.

It should be noted that the LG Watch Sport smart watch is equipped with an NFC chip, so it can be used to pay for services and goods through terminals using the Android Pay payment system.

The LG Watch Sport has a 1.38-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 480 × 480 pixels. On board there is a Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip, 768 MB of RAM, a 4 GB flash drive, a 430 mAh battery, a GPS receiver and a heart rate sensor. The LG Watch Sport's resistance to moisture and dust is slightly higher - according to the IP68 standard.

Sales of new products in the US will begin on February 10. The LG Watch Style costs $250, the LG Watch Sport model costs $350. LG Watch Style will be available in gold, titanium, and rose gold. Color options for the LG Watch Sport are titanium and dark blue.

Both models will also go on sale in Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan and the UAE in the coming weeks.

Conclusion

The conclusion, as always, is this: everyone chooses according to their needs. There are those who will not agree to pay more for a watch that looks worse. There are those who will not agree to buy smartwatches that lag behind other offerings on the market in terms of their capabilities. It’s worth adding that the LG Watch Sport is truly designed for those who lead an active lifestyle. The LG Watch Style is suitable for all other activities, but would be even better if it was equipped with NFC. Unfortunately, LG and Google failed to create a universal device, but that's what's great about Android devices. Everyone can choose what they really need.

Display

The LG Watch Style's screen is completely round with a resolution of 360x360, and thanks to its relatively small 1.2-inch size, it looks sharp. Below the display, the watch has an ambient light sensor. Brightness transitions are smooth and fast.

The display uses Gorilla Glass 3 and LG's P-OLED (plastic OLED) technology, which the company has been implementing in its smartwatches since the G Watch R.

One of the important things that catches your eye is the absence of a “flat tire” at the bottom of the screen. LG and Google have finally figured out how to get rid of it.

LG Watch Sport equipment

Let's start with the kit. In addition to the watch, it includes: a charging cradle, a Type-C cable, plus the adapter itself and a key for removing the SIM card.

The charging stand is very similar to the one we saw on the first Moto 360.

The watch is charged using the Qi standard and connects from any side. It’s nice that it’s not micro-USB, but modern Type-C.

The Watch Sport will restore energy reserves from 0 to 100% in just three hours; there’s no point in thinking about fast charging, but the ASUS ZenWatch 3 has it, 60% in 15 minutes.

Early verdict

LG has managed to create an elegant and graceful smartwatch that is especially suitable for women. Along with the LG Watch Sport, it can be considered the hallmark of Android Wear 2.0, which provides a good overall user experience, although still not perfect.

The style offers some interesting features (like IP67 certification, Google Assistant, and an easy-to-use physical button), but those looking for a more full-featured device that can be used during physical activity and more independent of a smartphone will have to look at the LG Watch Sport instead. The style of the watch is more aimed at those who are looking for an affordable and fashionable device.

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Android Wear 2.0 LG Watch Style Hands-On Review MWC 2020 SmartWatch Battery Life Display Review Software Style Features Price Watch Brightness