Smart watches LG Watch W7 - advantages and disadvantages

Recently, LG has released a new phone LG V40, and simultaneously with a smartphone, a new watch model, LG Watch W7, has appeared on sale. At the beginning of 2017, the company presented 2 models of smart watches LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style. LG Watch W7 was the first watch released after. Instead of sticking to a modern sporty direction, the design of the Watch W7 is presented in a classic style with a slightly unexpected change.

The device is an unusual novelty thanks to its hybrid design. Mechanical hands rest on top of a round, powerful 1.2-inch touchscreen display running Wear OS, which distinguishes the model from other devices. As you know, Google and Qualcomm are working together with Swiss manufacturers of watch parts, and expensive smart devices based on Wear OS from TAG Heuer and Montblanc do not have an analog or mechanical dial, preference is given only to touchscreens. The average price of a hybrid smartwatch is $450. The sale of the device started in mid-October 2018.The device is a very successful mix of touch screen and analog watches with certain advantages and disadvantages.

What does the watch look like?

From the outside, it seems that the buyer is facing an ordinary watch. The LG Watch W7 is the first Google Wear OS hybrid smartwatch the world has ever seen. The device is an analog clock with a touchscreen underneath.

Despite the seemingly strange concept, the device looks normal in the photos. The device has a normal look thanks to the mechanical watch hands. The LED display below them adds extra flair to the look and also shows information like other Google Wear OS devices. Thanks to the backlight, you can tell the time even in the dark. During the day it is also convenient to look at the dial, because. it doesn't shine in the sun. The design of the handset is ideal for those buyers who would like to purchase a smart watch that looks like a regular watch but has additional functions.

The W7 looks solid and big, and doesn't feel like it's designed for people with small wrists. The style and design of the watch will suit more men. Two buttons on the right side of the case and a rotating winding dial control additional features that are shared with other Wear OS devices. Pressing the buttons also unlocks. They provide users with easy and fast navigation.

In addition to the touch screen, users can view information, handle phone calls, or return to the home screen by driving the classic cogwheel. The model uses standard 22 mm leather straps. Mechanical watch hands are located on top of the display.

By purchasing the W7, the buyer spends money on a hybrid design, traditional aesthetics and a stainless steel body.

The mechanical arrows of the device create inconvenience

The device is equipped with mechanical hands, which are illuminated at night. This is the result of LG's collaboration with Soprod, which developed the mechanical features and smooth movement of the handset. Sometimes the device arrows block part of the screen. The developers took care of it. When showing notifications, the arrows temporarily take a horizontal position.

Also, to “clear the screen” and show information, the arrows move to different positions. To do this, the upper right button is clamped so that the contents of the screen move up, and the arrows take a horizontal position. However, this is a rather impractical solution, since the arrows of the device lie on top of the display and it will not work to remove them, they will remain in the middle of the screen. This will be a problem for Wear OS apps.

Interface

With the multi-touch function, it is easy to scroll through information and control the 1.2-inch touch screen. LG Watch W7 introduces the ability to choose from a variety of special custom interface styles, optimized for use with watch hands and designed to match each user's personality, mood and current activities.

autonomy

Advanced popular models of smart devices still have a problem with battery life. The rating of high-quality devices showed that charging the Apple Watch lasts for a day and a half. Devices from Google on the Wear OS system work around the clock. Samsung Galaxy Watch - two days. Watch manufacturers have tried to solve the battery problem by adding improved low-power chips, simplifying functionality, using manual winding, or fueling the device with body heat. However, the LG Watch W7 has nothing of the kind. Batteries hold their charge for a long time only in normal clock mode.

The analog part of the LG Watch W7, made by the Swiss watch parts manufacturer Soprod SA, works independently of Wear OS, and due to which the device will continue to function after the screen sits in the main mode showing the time. Without recharging, like a watch, the device will work for another 100 days.

Another feature of the Watch W7 is that, despite the desire to improve battery life, the manufacturers did not use the most suitable next-generation Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset from Qualcomm, which includes an additional processor to extend battery life in work and standby modes. The chipset is designed for long standard watch operation, which lasts up to 30 days. Instead, the W7 runs on the old Wear 2100 chip platform, and the 240mAh battery isn't big by smartwatch standards, which is different from previous models. In smartwatch mode, with the OLED display and Wear OS connected together, the Watch W7 will last about two days.

Functions

In addition to the exact time, the mechanical hands of the device also display additional information.The device has a built-in Wi-Fi function with Internet access. Google Wear OS includes assistance from Google Assistant and smart health coaching from Google Fit. The LG Watch W7 also has built-in sensors that provide useful tools.

The device has: compass, stopwatch, timer, calibration, barometer, altimeter and wrist gestures for hands-free navigation. The device makes calls using a phone by connecting to it. The function of making calls and receiving incoming calls independently, without pairing with a smartphone, is not provided by the device. The radio is also missing. You will not be able to play sound on the device, only output it to headphones via Bluetooth.

Most manufacturers of new Wear OS devices have focused on adding heart rate measurement, NFC payments, GPS, and water resistance to catch up with the Apple Watch. But the LG Watch W7 does not include these useful features. The device does not have a heart rate monitor and thus, it will not replace a fitness tracker. The device also lacks GPS. It is not possible to make an NFC payment with the device, and thus the Google Pay function is not supported. There is no built-in LTE connectivity on the device, but LG is considering adding it to future models.

Waterproof

Dust and water are not a problem, because waterproof devices. Water resistance is IP68 and is designed for 30 minutes of immersion in water up to one meter. However, the device is not suitable for swimming or diving. In addition, the instrument is protected from damage caused by dust and dirt.

Characteristics of LG Watch W7

Pros and cons

The LG Watch W7 device has both advantages and disadvantages

• The case is made of stainless steel;
• equipped with the latest Wear OS;
• altimeter and barometer;
• waterproof, protection from dust and dirt;
• customizable watch face.

• You can not remove the hands of the clock;
• small battery. In smartwatch mode, charging will last for 2 days;
• does not measure heart rate;
• no GPS;
• no built-in LTE;
• does not support NFC payments.

Why use LG Watch W7?

LG Watch W7 is aimed at fashionistas who follow the latest devices, as well as those who want to buy a traditional type of watch for everyday use. The functionality of the device is endowed with useful measuring applications, as well as water resistance and dust protection. However, this is not enough. The device model has an unacceptably long list of features that LG chose to skip. The device puts the traditional watch form above advanced functionality.The absence of many features that have become familiar in almost all modern smartwatch models casts doubt on the practicality of buying a device.