LG, Samsung unpack new smartwatches

LG Electronics released Thursday the G Watch R, its second-generation smartwatch, with a classic circular design. The G Watch R will make its debut at the IFA consumer electronics conference in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 5. / Courtesy of LG Electronics

By Bahk Eun-ji

Samsung Electronics unveiled the Gear S, its sixth smartwatch, with a curved Super AMOLED display, Thursday. The Gear S has Tizen OS, which does not pair with other Android OS smartphones. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

LG Electronics unveiled Thursday its second-generation smartwatch, the G Watch R (The R), with a classic circular design.

The G Watch R will make its debut at the IFA consumer electronics conference in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 5.

“The G Watch R is more focused on design, with a classic circular display. We hope LG can take a leading role in the wearable market with the innovative premium design,” said Park Jong-seok, president of the mobile communications division at LG Electronics.

The watch faces fierce competition with other smartwatches, as Samsung Electronics also unveiled the Gear S on the same day. Motorola’s circular designed smartwatch, the Moto 360, will reportedly make its debut on Sept. 4. Apple is expected to unveil its iWatch on Sept. 9.

LG’s G Watch R has an Android Wear operating system, and comes with a 1.3-inch Plastic OLED (P-OLED) full 360-degree display. LG said the watch is the first wearable to which the P-OLED is applied. P-OLED is more suitable for thin display than other materials.

The R also comes with an improved battery compared to its former square one. It has a 410mAh battery which lasts about a day and a half on a single charge in “always-on” mode.

On top of its impressive circular display, the R may attract consumers who place great importance on the latest fashion and trends. Unlike other existing smartwatches, the R comes with a 22 mm interchangeable leather strap.

Gear S

Samsung also introduced its sixth wrist-worn device, the Gear S. It has a curved display just like Gear Fit, but the Gear S is more like full-fledged smartwatch, while the Gear Fit is focused on fitness tracker features with a few smartwatch functions.

The Gear S runs Tizen OS, so it doesn’t pair with other Android OS smartphones. Currently, only the Gear Live runs on Android OS.

It has a curved square display with 360x480 resolution, and 3G connectivity.

Both Samsung and LG didn’t disclose prices.

LG plans to sell the R early in the fourth quarter of this year and the price may be higher than the previous model’s 269,000 won price tag.