When comparing Sony SmartWatch 3 vs LG Watch Urbane, the Slant community recommends LG Watch Urbane for most people. In the question“What are the best smartwatches?” LG Watch Urbane is ranked 5th while Sony SmartWatch 3 is ranked 10th. The most important reason people chose LG Watch Urbane is:
If your watch is out of bluetooth range of your phone, it will connect to available Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi takes more power than bluetooth, but it allows you to not have to carry your phone all the time and still receive notifications.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Built-in NFC
Pro Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi takes more power than bluetooth, but it helps extend the working range of the watch past bluetooth capabilities. For example, you can still receive notifications or control music from across the house.
Pro Water proof
While it can't deal with deep water pressure, you have nothing to worry about when washing your hands or getting it wet in the rain thanks to the IP68 rating. You can also wash the band and unit off to remove any dust or debris that can accumulate on the underside of the central unit or in the cracks between the unit and the band without worrying at all about water damage.
Pro Transflective display
The display on the Smartwatch 3 doesn't require a backlight. Instead, it reflects ambient light. This makes it easily visible in ambient mode even when outside in direct sunlight (as a matter of fact, that's when it is easiest to see in ambient mode), and also saves a lot of power in ambient mode.
In a dark room, you won't be able to see the time...although this can also be counted as a pro because your wrist won't glow in dark rooms like OLED or IPS watches will.
Pro Running companion
The built-in GPS will drain the battery quickly, but it allows you to track activity more precisely. If you go on walks or runs, apps can track them without needing to bring your phone.
Android Wear lets you sync some music onto the watch, which can be paired to bluetooth earbuds/headphones. This fully lets you leave your phone at home, and use the watch for GPS and music at the same time.
Pro Uses a regular charger
You can charge the SmartWatch 3 using the same charger that you use to charge your phone - micro USB. This means that if you brake/lose your charger, it is easy and cheap to replace. It also means that if you go traveling, you can only bring one charger instead of a different one for your phone and watch.
Pro Built-in Wi-Fi
If your watch is out of bluetooth range of your phone, it will connect to available Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi takes more power than bluetooth, but it allows you to not have to carry your phone all the time and still receive notifications.
Pro Classical style
The bezel isn't too large, and especially from a distance it could be mistaken for a regular watch. It's the type of watch that you can wear everyday, even to work without looking like a computer on your wrist.
Pro Fitness tracking
There is a PPG Heart rate monitor on-board, and it will track your heart rate.
Pro Two color options
The watch is available in classy silver and shiny gold colors.
Pro Water and dust resistant
The product is IP67 certified. The certification guarantees that the product can be submerged up to a meter in water at room temperature for up to 30 minutes.
Pro Measures elevation
Built-in barometer is capable of measuring elevation.
Pro Replaceable watch bands
Urbane has standard 22mm watch bands.
Pro Compatible with most Android Wear apps
Because it is round there will be a few apps that don't work properly, but the vast majority of apps will work.
Pro Decent battery life
The watch will always allow for at least a full day (unless you are constantly playing games on it), but usually will last for 2 full days even with ambient mode on (always on). The OLED display helps with this - with a black background for watch faces the display isn't lighting up the black pixels, greatly reducing the power draw in ambient mode.
Cons
Con Propriety straps
The device pops out and you can put in in a new band, although only certain bands will fit it. These bands tend to be expensive, and there only a few options (different colored silicon or stainless steel).
Con Poor screen colors
The display is a transflective display, and the colors it produces are greatly muted when compared to OLED or even IPS displays.
Con Unattractive design
The watch doesn't look at all like a traditional watch, and looks much like a mini computer on your wrist.
Con Lacks built-in GPS
Some smartwatches have built-in GPS which allows them to track runs without needing to carry your phone with you, allowing you to use your watch as a fitness tracker. The Urbane doesn't have this ability.
Con Bulky
The G Watch R is 10.9mm thick and weighs 66g. It will take some time to get used to wearing it, especially if you previously haven't worn a watch.