Price and specifications of LG Watch Urbane LTE advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build

The LG Watch Urbane LTE sports a sophisticated and elegant design that is reminiscent of traditional luxury watches. The watch is crafted with a stainless steel body and comes in a classic silver color. It weighs 115 grams for the LTE model and 45 grams for the 3G model, which is relatively hefty compared to some modern smartwatches, but it adds a sense of robustness and quality to the design. The inclusion of physical buttons on the side offers ease of use and accessibility, a feature that often appeals to those accustomed to the feel of traditional watches.

Display

The watch features a 1.3-inch P-OLED display with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels, offering a pixel density of approximately 348 ppi. The display is bright and sharp, making it easy to read under most lighting conditions. P-OLED technology ensures vibrant colors and deep blacks, adding to the visual appeal of the interface and watch faces. This type of display is also energy-efficient, which is crucial for a device with a relatively small battery.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the LG Watch Urbane LTE is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset with a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and an Adreno 305 GPU. This hardware combo provides enough power for smooth operation of the watch’s proprietary OS. The device comes with 1GB RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which is sufficient for running apps and storing essential data, although there's no option to expand the storage via a card slot.

Connectivity and Networking

The LG Watch Urbane LTE stands out with its cellular capabilities. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, allowing users to make and receive calls, send messages, and access data without needing to pair with a smartphone. The watch can house a Nano-SIM, which is an impressive feature for a smartwatch released in 2015. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, NFC for contactless payments, and GPS for location tracking.

Battery Life

The LTE model of the LG Watch Urbane is equipped with a non-removable Li-Ion 700 mAh battery. This battery size is relatively large for a smartwatch, which is necessary to support the device's cellular functions. The 3G model, on the other hand, has a slightly smaller 400 mAh battery. Battery life can vary widely depending on usage, particularly if LTE connection and GPS features are used extensively. While detailed battery life statistics such as standby and talk time are not specified, users typically find themselves charging the device every day or two.

Operating System and User Interface

Running on a proprietary operating system, the LG Watch Urbane LTE offers a user interface that is both intuitive and functional. It includes customizable watch faces, fitness tracking, and a range of notifications from paired devices. The proprietary OS may not offer as much flexibility or as many apps as Wear OS or watchOS, but it does provide a stable and streamlined user experience focused on core smartwatch functionality.

Sensors and Additional Features

The watch is equipped with a variety of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, heart rate monitor, and barometer. These sensors enable advanced fitness and health tracking applications, such as monitoring daily activity levels, tracking heart rates, and analyzing workout routines. However, being an older model, it may lack some of the advanced health features seen in more recent devices.

Sound and Audio

A notable feature of the LG Watch Urbane LTE is its built-in loudspeaker, which is not always found in smartwatches of its era. Nevertheless, there is no 3.5mm audio jack, meaning wireless headphones or the integrated speaker are the only audio output options. Despite this, the presence of a loudspeaker does enable direct call handling and notification alerts without needing to look at the screen.

Durability and Usage

With its robust stainless steel construction, the watch is designed to withstand everyday wear and tear. However, prospective buyers should be cautious if they plan to use the watch in rugged environments or water-intensive activities, as the specific IP rating for water and dust resistance is not mentioned.

Conclusion

The LG Watch Urbane LTE, despite being discontinued, remains an intriguing example of innovation in smartwatches from a time when standalone cellular capabilities were a rarity. It combines a classic watch design with modern connectivity and functionality, albeit with limitations in app ecosystems and battery life. For those who appreciate traditional aesthetics combined with the convenience of technology, and who may not require the latest apps, this watch offers a balance between style and function. Available around 320 EUR when released, it catered to a niche market looking for luxury and innovation in a wristwatch form factor.