Smart watch LG Watch W7 - advantages and disadvantages

LG recently released a new phone, the LG V40, and a new watch model, the LG Watch W7, was on sale along with the smartphone. 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.Rather than sticking to a modern, sporty direction, the Watch W7's design is classic with slightly unexpected changes.

The device is an unusual novelty thanks to its hybrid design. Mechanical hands rest on top of a circular, powerful 1.2-inch touchscreen powered by Wear OS, which sets the model apart from other devices.As you know, Google and Qualcomm work together with Swiss manufacturers of watch parts, and in expensive smart devices based on Wear OS from TAG Heuer and Montblanc there is no 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 a touchscreen display and an analog wristwatch with certain advantages and disadvantages.

What does a watch look like?

From the outside it seems that the buyer has 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 photos. The device has a normal look thanks to the mechanical hands of the watch. The LED display underneath adds an extra flair to the look and shows information just like other Google Wear OS devices. Thanks to the backlight, the time can be read even in the dark. It is also convenient to look at the dial during the day. it does not shine in the sun. The design of the device is ideal for those buyers who would like to purchase a smartwatch that looks like a regular watch, but performs additional functions.

The W7 looks sturdy and large, and doesn't seem to be made for people with small wrists. The style and design of the watch is more suitable for men. Two buttons on the right side of the case and a rotating winding wheel control additional functions that are inherent in other Wear OS devices. Unlocking is also triggered by pressing the buttons. They provide users with easy and quick navigation.

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

With the W7, the customer is spending money on a hybrid design, traditional aesthetics and a stainless steel case.

Mechanical arrows of the device create inconvenience

The device is equipped with mechanical hands that are illuminated at night.This is the result of LG's collaboration with Soprod, which developed the mechanical functions and movement coherence of the device. Sometimes the arrows of the device block part of the screen. The developers are worried about this. When showing notifications, arrows temporarily take a horizontal position.

Also, to “clear the screen” and show information, the arrows are shifted 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 you cannot remove them, they will remain in the middle of the screen. This will be a problem for Wear OS apps.

Interface

The multi-touch function makes it easy to scroll through information and control the sensor on the 1.2-inch screen. LG Watch W7 introduces the ability to choose from a variety of special customized styles that are optimized for watch hands and are designed to match each user's personality, mood and current activity.

Autonomy

Battery life is still a problem for advanced, popular smart device models. The rating of quality devices showed that Apple Watch charging lasts for a day and a half. Devices from Google on the Wear OS system work 24 hours. Samsung Galaxy Watch - two days. Watchmakers have tried to solve the battery problem by adding improved ICs with low power consumption, simplifying functionality, using manual winding or recharging the device with heat generated by the body. However, the LG Watch W7 has nothing like this. The battery keeps its charge for a long time only in the normal watch mode.

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

Another feature of the Watch W7 is that, despite striving to improve battery life, the manufacturers have not used Qualcomm's most suitable next-generation Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset, which includes an additional processor to extend battery life and standby. The chipset is designed for a continuous standard watch mode, which lasts up to 30 days. Instead, the W7 runs on the old Wear 2100 chip platform, and the 240mAh battery is not large by smartwatch standards, which is different from previous models. In smartwatch mode, when OLED display and Wear OS are connected together, the Watch W7 lasts for 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's Wear OS includes Google Assistant and smart health coaching from Google Fit. The LG Watch W7 also has built-in sensors to provide useful tools.

The device has: compass, stopwatch, timer, calibration, barometer, altimeter and wrist gesture function for hands-free navigation. The device makes calls using the phone connected to it. The function of making calls and receiving incoming calls independently, without pairing with a smartphone, the device is not provided. There is no radio either. You will not be able to play sound on the device, just output it to the headphones via Bluetooth.

Most manufacturers of newer 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 does not replace a fitness tracker. The device also lacks GPS. The device cannot make NFC payments, and therefore does not support the Google Pay function. There is no built-in LTE connection on the device, but LG is considering adding to future models.

Water resistance

Dust and water are not a problem as waterproof devices. Water resistant to IP68 and rated for 30 minutes immersion in water up to one meter. However, the device is not suitable for swimming or diving. In addition, the device is protected against damage caused by dust and dirt.

LG Watch W7 specifications

Pros and cons

The LG Watch W7 has both advantages and disadvantages

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

• You cannot remove the clock hands;
• small battery capacity. 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 the 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 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 has chosen to skip. The device puts the traditional watch shape above the extended functionality. The absence of many features that have become commonplace in almost all modern models of smart watches casts doubt on the practicality of buying a device.