Skip to main content

LG G Watch vs. Samsung Gear Live: Spec Showdown

lg g watch vs samsung gear live v header
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While showcasing the finalized version of Android Wear and the forthcoming Android “L”, Google took the time to confirm the rumored Samsung Gear Live at its I/O 2014 event, premiering the third smartwatch to feature the company’s integrated mobile platform alongside the LG G Watch and Moto 360. Featuring a Snapdragon 400 processor and equipped with a 1.65-inch LCD display, LG’s first foray into the smartwatch realm looks and feels every bit as bulky as predecessors such as Sony’s SmartWatch SW2 — but like the Gear Live — Android Wear remains the biggest device’s biggest selling point. The latter smartphone touts many of the same features, from the mobile OS to the various internal sensors, but how does the device’s other facets stack up against the LG G Watch? Check out our side-by-side breakdown below for a closer look at the hardware and software powering the two upcoming devices.

Additionally, check our our comprehensive comparison of the Gear Live, Gear 2, and Gear Fit to see how Samsung’s latest offerings compares to other wearable devices in the company’s lineup.

 

LG G Watch

G Watch Final
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Samsung Gear Live

gear-live-specs copy
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Size 37.9 x 46.5 x 9.95 (mm) 37.9 x 56.4 x 8.9 (mm)
Weight 63g 59g
Strap 22 (mm), changeable 22 (mm), changeable
Screen 1.65-inch IPS LCD 1.63” Super AMOLED
Resolution 280 x 280 pixels 320 x 320 pixels
OS Android Wear Android Wear
RAM 512MB RAM 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB eMMC  4GB
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
with 1.2GHz CPU
1.2 GHz Processor
Water resistant Yes, IP67 Yes, IP67
Heart-rate monitor No Yes
Sensors 9 Axis (Accelerometer/Compass/Gyro) Accelerometer/Compass/Gyro
Bluetooth Yes, Version 4.0 Yes, Version 4.0
Battery 400mAh 300mAh
Charger Micro USB via charging cradle Magnetic charger
Colors Black Titan or White Gold Black and Wine Red
Price $230 $200
Availability Juy 2014 July 7, 2014
DT review First impressions Coming soon

Power and productivity

It doesn’t take too much power most smartphones given their low-resolution displays and the current dearth of demanding apps. Although Samsung has yet to specify the exact specifications, both the G Watch and the Gear Live will run on a 1.2GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of internal storage — making them nearly identical when it comes to hardware capabilities. Additionally, both devices run Android Wear, a mobile OS that looks to seamlessly integrate Google Now with Android devices running version 4.3 and above. The synchronized OS will provide a steady stream of content in the form of vertical cards on both devices, presenting a variety of stripped apps for checking text message notifications and emails, directions, and weather for your current location among other notable information that relies on contextual awareness. You’ll also be able to check fitness summaries and engage in a variety of voice commands, and smartwatch updates will even automatically download and install once you sync either device with your smartphone. 

However, although both devices tout similar processing power and internal software, there are other notable differences. For instance, the Gear Live features a 300mAh battery opposed to the G Watch’s 400mAh, while additionally providing a magnetic charging cradle in lieu of the G Watch’s Micro USB and charging cradle. The G Watch also features nine sensor axes encompassing an accelerometer, compass, and gyro akin to the Gear Live, but lacks the latter’s integrated heart-rate monitor. As expected, also both boast industry-standard Bluetooth 4.0.

Design

When it comes to design, there isn’t a substantial difference between the G Watch and the Gear Live. The dimension differences between the two competing devices is fairly negligible, though at 63 grams, the G Watch slightly outweighs Samsung’s counterpart. However, the Gear Live still possesses the upper hand even though it comes with a slightly smaller display, offering 320 x 320-pixel resolution within 1.63-inch Super OMOLED screen. Both rectangular devices allow you to customize your smartwatch with a standard 22-inch strap and one of two color options, while additionally offering dust and water resistance with a IP67 rating. You may not be able scuba dive with either offering, but you can still wear them for a quick shower or when washing your hands.

Price and availability

Thankfully, smartwatches don’t require a network contract the way smartphones do. However, though neither offering adheres to a subsided phone plan, they still both cost an upwards of $200. Th G Watch is currently available for order on Google Play for $230, with an expected launch date of July 7, 2014. The Gear Live on the other hand, also currently available on Google Play, will launch around the same time for $200. The lower price gives the Gear Live a slight advantage, but it’s likely not substantial enough to greatly deter potential customers from LG’s latest offering.

Conclusion

The Samsung Gear Live marks a considerable improvement over the company’s previous ventures in wearable tech, specifically the lackluster Gear Fit and Samsung-exclusive Gear 2. Still, neither option vastly outperforms the other at this point, even if the Gear Live also offers a heart-rate monitor, increased pixel resolution, and a lower price tag. Buyer choice may simply come down to individual aesthetics and customer preference, or how the two smartwatches perform and seamlessly integrate with their respective Android devices. Furthermore, the game may change again when the anticipated Moto 360 goes on sale later this summer.

Brandon Widder
Brandon Widder is a multimedia journalist and a staff writer for Digital Trends where he covers technology news, how-to…
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
Samsung Galaxy A53 and A52 compared feat image.

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy A53 5G -- which launches on March 31 on T-Mobile and Verizon and everywhere else the next day -- gives you more for less. Announced at Samsung's Galaxy A event, the mid-range phone has a larger battery, improved camera functionality, a new processor, an extra year of guaranteed operating system updates, and costs $50 less than the previous model.

But does that make it better than the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G? Last year's A-series phone is a great midrange phone, and with the new version out, you could pick it up at a bargain price. Or, if you're using last year's model, is it worth upgrading to this year's? We took a look at both phones to answer those questions.
Specs

Read more
Apple iPhone SE (2022) vs. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
iPhone SE 2022 Being Used.

The iPhone SE (2022) is the third entry in Apple's affordable range of 'Special Edition' smartphones. Recycling the design of 2017's iPhone 8, it receives the powerful Apple A15 Bionic processor of the iPhone 13, while also introducing 5G connectivity, an enhanced camera, a bigger battery than previous iPhone SEs, and a very competitive $429 price.

But in a market saturated with affordable Android devices, it certainly isn't without its rivals. Perhaps the most notable of these is the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. Another sub-$500 phone, it boasts a delicious 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, a dependable 4,500mAh battery, a versatile camera, and the now-mandatory 5G support. It also offers very high value for the money, but as a one-year-old phone, is it better than the iPhone SE (2022)?

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Fitbit Sense
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch, worn on a person's wrist.

The Galaxy Watch 4 is Samsung's take on a modern, hi-tech wearable that doesn't imitate an old-school analog wristwatch. It eschews the classic design of its predecessors for a sleeker, more streamlined look, while also providing some excellent hardware and features. These include a Super AMOLED touchscreen, 16GB of internal storage, generous battery life, and some great health-tracking software.

It's certainly one of the best smartwatches out there, but in a market saturated by Apple Watches and various Android equivalents, it certainly isn't without competitors. One of these is the Fitbit Sense, which in 2020 emerged to offer a premium version of the core Fitbit experience, replete with an ECG sensor, a choice of virtual assistants, and a wealth of fitness features.

Read more