LG’s second attempt at an Android Wear watch is a beauty

The G Watch R is LG's answer to the Moto 360. Photo: LG.

The G Watch R is LG’s answer to the Moto 360. Photo: LG.

Meet LG’s answer to the Moto 360. It’s called the G Watch R, and unlike the original G Watch, it sports an attractive stainless steel design with a more traditional circular watch face, and an interchangeable leather strap. It’s set to get its official unveiling at IFA 2014 next week, but it seems LG just couldn’t keep it under wraps any longer.

The G Watch R’s display is a plastic OLED panel that measure 1.3 inches and “utilizes 100 percent of its watch face.” LG’s claims it’s viewable in sunlight — unlike its sibling — and has superb clarity at any angle. It’s encased inside a stunning stainless steel frame that is safe in up to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.

LG is immensely proud of the G Watch R’s design, and it’s making that its biggest selling point. “With an artisanal elegance, the LG G Watch R boasts a refined aesthetic that is reminiscent of traditional timepieces,” the South Korean company said in its announcement.

“What we’ve noticed in the year of the wearable is that this is a category that can’t be compared to smartphones and tablets,” added Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG. “Wearables are also accessories and consumers will want more than one to choose from. So we wanted to complement the modern design of the original G Watch with the classic look of the G Watch R. Customers can’t go wrong with either device.”

Photo: LG.

Photo: LG.

The G Watch R is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor — which powers a plethora of midrange Android smartphones — with 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, and a 410mAh battery. It also packs a 9-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass; a barometer; and a heart rate monitor.

Available only in black initially, the G Watch R will ship with a calf skin leather strap that users will be able to swap for another 22mm watch strap. The device will be available in “key markets” early in the fourth quarter of 2014, and pricing will be confirmed closer to launch.

  • SourceLG