When comparing Microsoft Band 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 Microsoft Band is ranked 21st. 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 Always-on heart-rate monitor
There is a built in heart rate monitor that is always monitoring and for the most part it is consistent in its tracking. This way people can get a full view of what their daily heart rate is at any given time.
Pro Allows downloading workouts
Users can download workouts to their devices from companies that have partnered with Microsft such as Gold's Gym or Men's Fitness. This allows for one to find workouts that fit their needs that are created by people familiar with what should work the best.
Pro Shows email, sms and call notifications
No matter the device being used, Android, iOS or Windows Phone the Microsoft Band is able to show ones connected devices emails, SMS and call notifications. This makes it easy to see what ones alerts are without having to pull the phone out of their pocket.
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 Finess tracker heart rate monitoring
Fitness tracker
Con Slightly too big and heavy to be unnoticeable
Like most smart watches the Micorsoft band is big and heavy (due to their screens) and will be hard to forget one is wearing it due to the weight size and shape.
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.