Smartwatches

Samsung Gear S vs. LG G Watch R

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Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Gear S (left) and LG G Watch R smartwatches
Battery capacities
Physical buttons
Neither watch has a camera
Color options (at least at launch)
Processors
Dimensions (still unknown for the G Watch R)
Display shape
Display size (diagonal below, percentage of area in red)
Built-in GPS
Both watches have heart rate monitors
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Gear S (left) and LG G Watch R smartwatches
Samsung is putting an onscreen keyboard option in the Gear S
The Gear S makes phone calls, this time without a paired phone
We still don't know what either watch will cost
RAM
Release dates
Software platforms
The Gear S has standalone 3G wireless capabilities – no phone required
Storage
Both watches have swappable bands
Voice control
Water resistance
Fitness tracking
Display resolution and pixel density
Display type
View gallery - 25 images

Smartwatches have yet to really take off, but this holiday season is going to mark the biggest push we've seen from OEMs. Ahead of IFA 2014, Samsung and LG have already spilled the beans on their upcoming flagship watches. Read on, as Gizmag compares the features and specs of the Samsung Gear S and LG G Watch R smartwatches.

Size

Dimensions (still unknown for the G Watch R)

LG hasn't yet listed the dimensions for the G Watch R, but the images in this post should (roughly) reflect the watches' relative sizes. We sized them based on their screen diagonals.

Standalone wireless

The Gear S has standalone 3G wireless capabilities – no phone required

The Gear S is the first mainstream smartwatch we've seen that can work its mojo without a paired phone. With its built-in 3G connectivity (sorry, guys, no LTE), a SIM card should make the Gear S one of the smartest watches we've seen.

The Gear S can also pair with a phone, but we're still fishing for details on a) exactly which phones it's compatible with (likely Samsung only), and b) whether any features will be disabled when you're using the watch on its own. We'll update when we find out more.

Display (shape)

Display shape

If you're looking for the G Watch R's killer feature, look no further. This holiday season, LG's watch is going to do battle with the Moto 360 for the hearts of those lusting after round smartwatch displays.

Meanwhile, the Gear S has a curved rectangular display. We haven't yet handled it in person, but it looks like a larger version of the Gear Fit's screen – and I was a fan of its sleek design.

Display (size)

Display size (diagonal below, percentage of area in red)

While the G Watch R is going to look more like a classic watch, there are advantages to the Gear S' more tech producty look. Namely, it gives you 44 percent more screen real estate.

Display (resolution)

Display resolution and pixel density

Both watches' screens should look fairly sharp, but the Gear appears to have the advantage. It comes in at 300 pixels per inch (PPI) and, unless our calculations are off (the abacus is still in the shop), the G Watch R packs in a not-as-sharp 246 PPI.

Display (type)

Display type

The G Watch R is using the same P-OLED display tech found in the G Flex phablet. LG says that the screen will provide "stunning image clarity even under bright sunlight." We'll have to wait to see if that's the case, as the first two Android Wear watches had some issues with visibility under direct sunlight.

Software

Software platforms

Another big difference here is that we're looking at Samsung's wearable version of Tizen OS, next to Google's Android Wear.

In previous watches, we preferred Wear's superior voice control and more direct integration with Android apps. But Samsung is updating its platform for the Gear S, so we won't leap to conclusions until we get some hands-on time.

Voice control

Voice control

It's going to be tough for S Voice to top Google Now for powerful and speedy voice input, but Samsung is saying that we'll see "enhanced S Voice functionality" with the new Gear.

Onscreen keyboard

Samsung is putting an onscreen keyboard option in the Gear S

With the new Gear's (relatively) spacious screen, Samsung is throwing in native keyboard input. The company says that you'll be able to use it to "instantly reply to messages."

On a 2-in screen, it's hard to imagine typing being anything but a cramped experience – but it's also hard to knock the company for giving us the option. If nothing else, it could come in handy when you're in public and don't want to be heard talking to your wrist, Dick Tracy-style.

Though some developers have announced plans to cook something up, Android Wear isn't yet designed for any kind of keyboard input.

Phone calls

The Gear S makes phone calls, this time without a paired phone

Like previous Gear watches, the Gear S lets you make and take phone calls on your wrist. Unlike those watches, though, the call can now take place without any help from your phone.

Android Wear isn't designed for phone calls – at least not yet.

Heart rate monitor

Both watches have heart rate monitors

LG's original G Watch lacked a heart rate monitor, but with the G Watch R, the company is joining in on the pulse-measuring fun.

Fitness tracking

Fitness tracking

Both watches can track your daily steps in the background, as well as log individual workouts.

Water resistance

Water resistance

Both watches give you IP67 water and dust resistance.

Colors

Color options (at least at launch)

The Gear S will ship in both black and white options, while LG is currently only listing the G Watch R in black.

Swappable band

Both watches have swappable bands

If you aren't a fan of either watch's default band, you'll be able to swap it out for a different one. For the G Watch, it will play nicely with any standard 22 mm strap. Samsung hasn't mentioned the specifics on the Gear S' band, so it's possible it will require a proprietary Samsung-made one.

Camera

Neither watch has a camera

The Galaxy Gear and Gear 2 both had built-in cameras, but Samsung is opting out of that game for the Gear S. As Android Wear isn't currently designed for cameras, the G Watch doesn't have a shooter either.

Battery

Battery capacities

Samsung is estimating an average two days of uptime for the Gear S. LG hasn't mentioned any estimates yet – apart from describing its 410 mAh battery as "durable."

No word yet on the charging method for either watch, but we'd bet on the Gear having a small charging cradle, similar to what we saw on all of the other Gear watches.

Built-in GPS

Built-in GPS

Here's another first for the Gear S, as it has built-in GPS along with turn-by-turn pedestrian navigation, through Nokia's Here service.

The G Watch R will display Google navigation directions from a paired Android phone, but doesn't have any GPS radios built into the watch itself.

Storage

Storage

You probably won't need to worry about this, but both watches list 4 GB of internal storage.

RAM

RAM

Likewise, we're also looking at 512 MB of RAM in each watch.

Processor

Processors

Neither company is getting very specific, but Samsung says that the Gear S has a dual core 1 GHz processor inside. LG lists the Snapdragon 400 for the G Watch R, which probably means the same quad core CPU that we saw in the first G Watch.

Physical buttons

Physical buttons

Right now we're working with limited information, but it looks like each watch has a lone physical button. The Gear S clearly has a small home button beneath its screen, while the G Watch R has a faux winder (which we guess will serve as a power button) on its right side.

Release date

Release dates

We know that the Gear S will roll out starting in October, while the G Watch R will launch in "Q4." That could mean as early as October, but possibly later.

Price

We still don't know what either watch will cost

Unfortunately we don't yet know what either watch will cost. If they follow in the footsteps of their smartwatch predecessors, then we're probably looking at something in the US$200-300 range. But with the 3G capabilities of the Gear and the round display of the G Watch, you never know.

Also keep in mind that, unless Samsung partners with wireless carriers for free mobile data, you'll also need to pay for an extra line of wireless service to use the Gear S without a paired phone.

Stay tuned to Gizmag for much more on these two. We'll be on the ground next week at IFA 2014, and expect to spend some quality time with both smartwatches.

Updated on 9/8: correcting the G Watch R's display type (it's Plastic OLED, not AMOLED)

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2 comments
noteugene
Until/unless these watches have voice to text capabilities I really don't care what else they can do, how many other features they have, how many traditional phone calls they can make, what they look like or what type of software they are running if they can not benifit the hearing impaired. The hearing community already has enough devices to make phone calls. I am not referring to text messages. My aged parents are not capable of typing on anything much less a micro sized input device. If they would include text to voice count me in.
BJ Van Gundy
@noteugene
Then you and your parents are in luck. S-Voice AND Google Now both provide text to voice. Guess you are counted it.