After this morning being officially announced, the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live are now showing in the Australian Google Play store.
While both pieces of Android Wear are showing, there’s a catch. The Samsung Gear Live does not appear ready for release as yet, with the watch listed as ‘Coming Soon’. There’s better news for fans of the LG G Watch, with the watch listed as ready to order with options for Black (Titan) or White Gold.
When the Samsung Gear Live goes on-sale, which we are told is ‘Soon’, it will cost $250 from Google Play. The LG G Watch, which is available to purchase right now, with stock due to ship on the 4th of July, will cost you a $1 less at $249. Shipping for an Android Wear watch to Australia will cost you $19.95 fpr International Priority Mail which will get it to you within 2-7 business days.
After a long wait (for the G Watch anyway), the specs for both watches have finally been laid bare, with very similar 1.2GHz processors and 512MB of RAM powering them. There’s 4GB of internal storage and a bunch of sensors. The Samsung Gear Live does include a heart rate monitor, so there’s a little extra there. Both watches have around 1 day of battery life, with the LG G Watch coming in slightly thicker with a 400mAh battery, while the Samsung Gear Live has a 300mAh battery.
Full Spec comparison:
| LG G Watch | Samsung Gear Live | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 1.65” 280 x 280 IPS LCD | 1.63” 320 x 320 SuperAMOLED (278 ppi) |
| CPU | 1.2 GHz | 1.2 GHz |
| RAM | 512MB RAM | 512MB RAM |
| Storage | 4 GB internal storage | 4 GB internal storage |
| Connection | USB (pogo pin) on G Watch, Micro USB on Charging Cradle | USB (pogo pin) |
| Sensors | 9 Axis (Accelerometer/Compass/Gyro) | Accelerometer, Digital compass, Gyroscope, Heart rate monitor |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy | Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy |
| Battery | 400 mAh | 300 mAh, 1 day use |
| Dimensions | 37.9 x 46.5 x 9.95 mm @ 63grams | 37.9 x 56.4 x 8.9 mm @ 59grams |
| Colour | Black (Titan) or White Gold | Black |
| Price | $249 | $250 |
The LG G Watch in Black
The LG G Watch in White
The Samsung Gear Live
Both of the watches carry IP67 water and dust resistance. While they’re not completely waterproof, you should be right to at least shower with them.
Android Wear watches require Android 4.3 and above so make sure your phone is above that before purchasing. There’s also an Android Wear app you’ll need, which hasn’t yet reached Google Play but should be coming prior to the watches shipping.
While the LG G Watch is now available, and the Samsung Gear Live is ‘Coming Soon’, there’s also the prospect of the Moto 360 which will be launched by the end of Winter, though no pricing has been made available. Now’s the time to decide.
Have you ordered an LG G Watch, or are you holding off for the Samsung Gear Live or Moto 360.
Of the two, I’d probably choose the LG G Watch, however I’m waiting for the stunner Motorola 360.
Ordered the LG G Watch.
Increased battery life won out over a slightly better display and heartrate monitor (which I don’t see myself using).
Motorola looks nice, but I’m sure it’ll come with a premium price tag attached.
“The LG G Watch does include a heart rate monitor, so there’s a little extra there” Does it? Can’t see mention of that elsewhere on the ‘net.
Looking at the specs it would seem that the LG watch would last longer. Lower res display means less pixels to push and a larger battery. Hard to choose between getting it now(-ish) or waiting to see which is ‘the best’ after some reviews.
Nope, long hours and lots of writing means I slip occasionally, it’s been fixed.
As an end user, I’m waiting on the reviews on all three Android Gear watches. Then I’ll decide what to get.
Going on appearance, not specs, the showdown is between the Samsung and the Moto.
Going on what specs are known, I’d grab the LG due to the better battery.
You’ve stated “The LG G Watch does include a heart rate monitor, so there’s a little extra there.”…doesn’t?
I thought was opposite, LG doesn’t include heart rate monitor, and samsung does?
Nope, long hours and lots of writing means I slip occasionally, it’s been fixed now.
So will you be able to go on a run with the samsung gear live and use the heart rate monitor as a replacement for a breast strap? That would be to cool and then it’s mine. I was looking into the new itteration of the tomtom running watch but being a geek… .
Heading to the US in November.. so I might hold off until then… I had my eye on the Moto 360 personally anyway.