LG Watch Urbane Review: Meet the best Android Smartwatch out there

LG’s third shot at wearable awesomeness:

Is this the one? For more than a year now consumers have let smartwatches pass them by without taking the plunge. Even the Apple Watch that was supposed to ignite the category hasn’t quite been the blockbuster many industry analysts expected it to be. The arrival of the Apple Watch evoked a slight update from planet Android – a new version (5.1) of Google Wear. The LG Watch Urbane is the first smartwatch to sport this new update. LG knows more than a thing about smartwatches – this is their third major shot at finding greatness in this fledgling device category; does it come good?

It has the looks:

First it was the fairly boxy LG G Watch, then it was the sporty yet oddly branded LG G Watch R (that never made it to the Indian market), the decidedlymasculine LG Watch Urbane completes the trio. It’s not just the best looking member of the LG wearable family but is easily one of the spiffiest smartwatches out there; only the ASUS ZenWatch (That has not been launched in India yet) probably comes close in terms of sex appeal. The gorgeous design allows the Watch Urbane to pass off for a fashion watch; just like your conventional fashion watch you can play around with straps. The stainless steel case comes in a choice of a striking (some might say attention grabbing) gold finish and a more subdued silver. The watch’s design is its calling card but does that alone justify its stiff (Rs 24,950) tag – the most for any Android watch out there.

Android Wear – still finding its feet?:

First time smartwatch user? The Watch Urbane has enough to keep you engaged for a couple of weeks. Just like the Apple Watch, Android Wear has plonked itself as a second screen and not a stand-alone device like the Samsung Gear S or Intex’s i-Rist wearable. This watch manages to round up every conceivable notification – from calls and texts (WhatsApp too) to social feeds so that your mobile phone can stay in your pocket whether you’re in a meeting or on the golf course. Don’t worry about poking around on the small screen to respond to texts or emails; you have your mobile device to do that. The new update to Android Wear allows the LG Watch to connect to a Wi-Fi network and in principle you don’t need to be hooked up to your (paired) smartphone to see notifications but it doesn’t quite work out all the time. That apart the OS is quite buggy with periodic stutters. We like how Google Now notifications/cards render on the round screen though, you can now flick your wrists to scroll through the cards (without touching the screen); mighty cool! Android Wear is still not the finished article it probably ought to be, meanwhile Apple is still perfecting its Watch.

Hardware heavyweight:

It all begins with the vibrant OLED 1.3-inch (320 x 320 pixels / 245 PPI) circular screen (the display is slightly reducing the possibility of walls and other objects grazing your screen); the Watch Urbane is well kitted. It is propelled by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (1.2GHz) processor with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of Internal Memory. While the battery life (410 mAh battery)is better than the first gen LG G Watch it just manages to cross the 24-hour mark leaving you one more device to add to your daily charging routine. It’s fully loaded with key sensors – Gyro, Accelerometer, Compass a heart rate monitor and a barometer, all boxes ticked except possibly a GPS sensor that could add an extra dimension to your runs or rides.

It’s the best Android Smartwatch out there but..

Aside from the Pebble smartwatch and fitness-driven wearables like the Fitbit Surge, your choice of smartphone platform or brand (As is the case with Samsung) determines what wearable you can buy. If you have cast your lot with Android, we really can’t recommend a better wearable. The screen is gorgeous – great visibility under direct sunlight too, and it can pass off as a stylish conventional watch. But it’s buggy, battery life is average and the App list is not overflowing. It’s clearly a case of love at first sight but that love fades somewhat thanks to an ecosystem and a category that’s still searching for answers.                                      

What we liked: Gorgeous display, stylish design

What we didn’t like: Android Wear is buggy, battery life is average

Price: Rs 24,950.

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