We round up the best Android Wear 2.0 watches that you can buy in 2017, including wearables such as the LG Watch Style and Sport and the Huawei Watch 2. We also take a look at the best Android Wear smartwatches coming soon, such as the Misfit Vapor and Fossil’s Q Venture and Q Explorist.
What is Android Wear?
Almost every smartwatch out there runs Google’s Android Wear operating system. This is what provides most of your watch’s functionality, including the ability to pair with your phone and receive notifications, run apps and so on.
Android Wear has been around for a couple of years now, but has just been updated to its latest incarnation, Android Wear 2.0. This is a far superior version, making our smartwatches much more independent and even more feature-packed.
What are the best features of Android Wear 2.0?
Android Wear 2.0 sports a completely redesigned interface which is now easier to navigate than before. This makes using your smartwatch more enjoyable, with even more features to keep you informed on the go. Android Wear watches will also play nice with iPhones, as well as Android smartphones.
Android Wear now comes packing more apps than ever before as well. You get strong support for third-party services such as Spotify, plus a great selection of fitness and productivity apps and tools. Even better, you can now download these apps directly through the watch, rather than via your phone.
Check out our Android Wear 2.0 review for our in-depth analysis.
Read next: Android Wear 2.0 tips, tricks and best hidden features
Best Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches
If you’re after a smartwatch that’s maybe a little older and therefore quite affordable these days, check out our round-up of the best Android watches. This includes a selection of wearables that are one or two years old, and therefore have been slashed in price.
However, if you absolutely must have the very latest tech, check out our pick of the best Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches below. These watches are all coming later in 2017, but we’ve already had the chance to go hands-on with most of them.
Huawei Watch 2
| Price: | TBC (From €329 in Europe) |
| Release Date: | Spring 2017 |
| Our Review: | Huawei Watch 2 review |
One of the first smartwatches we ever loved was the original Huawei Watch (subtitled W1), which hit the UK back in 2015. This Android Wear device boasted a premium design and some solid specs, for a satisfying user experience. Sadly it wasn’t too cheap, although it can be grabbed for a discounted price these days.
Fast forward to 2017 and Huawei has finally launched its new wearable, the Huawei Watch 2. Packing the latest Android Wear 2.0 OS, plus fully updated specs and more sensors than before, the Watch 2 is a step up from the original smartwatch in almost every respect.
Looks-wise it’s not bad, although the stripped-down Classic model is the better of the variants. The standard Watch 2 sadly packs a rather cheap and ugly plastic strap, but that’s easily rectified and the overall design is chunky but lovable.
LG Watch Style
| Price: | TBC ($249 US) |
| Release Date: | Spring 2017 |
| Our Review: | LG Watch Style hands-on review |
Google paired up with LG to craft its first pair of Android Wear 2.0 watches, and the result is the LG Watch Style and the Watch Sport (see below).
As you’ve probably already guessed, it’s the LG Watch Style which sports the looks in this family. Those polished sides and brushed surface deliver the kind of premium finish that we really love. This is the smallest Android Wear device to date, which is good news in terms of comfort as well as styling.
The LG Watch Style is more than just very, very incredibly good looking however. You get all of the usual awesome Android Wear 2.0 features packed inside, although the Style isn’t as smart as its Sport brother. This smartwatch has no support for NFC, GPS or cellular radio – just Bluetooth and WiFi to connect to your phone and home network.
LG Watch Sport
| Price: | TBC ($349 US) |
| Release Date: | Spring 2017 |
| Our Review: | LG Watch Sport hands-on review |
The second Google and LG watch to launch in early 2017 is the LG Watch Sport. This is more pricey than the LG Watch Style, which means you get better tech crammed into the enlarged frame.
NFC, GPS and even nanoSIM support is included, ideal for anyone who loves running with music blasting while enjoying full location tracking. And of course you get the usual complement of Android Wear 2.0 apps and features, as discussed.
It might not be as good looking, but it sure is full of smarts. Thus making the LG Watch Sport the opposite of most Premier League footballers.
Fossil Q Venture
| Price: | TBC |
| Release Date: | Autumn 2017 |
| Our Review: | Coming soon |
Fossil just launched two new smartwatches at Basel World at the start of 2017, both sporting Android Wear 2.0. These are the natural successors to the Fossil Q Wander, with more slender design work than before.
The first Android Wear watch is the Fossil Q Venture, which is due to hit the UK in Autumn later this year. You get a high-resolution AMOLED screen, which should prove colourful as well as crisp, plus Qualcomm’s capable Snapdragon 2100 chipset packed inside.
Fossil Q Explorist
| Price: | TBC |
| Release Date: | Autumn 2017 |
| Our Review: | Coming soon |
Alongside the Q Venture, Fossil also launched the Q Explorist at Basel World 2017. This appears to boast many of the same specs as the Q Venture, including that crisp AMOLED display, Snapdragon 2100 processor and of course full Android Wear 2.0.
So, it looks like the only real difference between the Explorist and the Venture will be Fossil’s design. Both are promised to be super slim however, so you can expect a comfortable fit no matter which watch you choose.
Misfit Vapor
| Price: | TBC |
| Release Date: | Summer 2017 |
| Our Review: | Coming soon |
If it’s sports smarts you’re after, the Misfit Vapor looks set to take on both the Huawei Watch 2 and LG Watch Sport when it hits the UK this summer.
This water resistant smartwatch (good for up to 5ATM) packs Android Wear 2.0, complete with all of the usual Google Fit features. Fitness fanatics will be able to track their heart rate, while the built-in GPS support and standalone music playback are ideal for cyclists, runners and anyone else who ventures out to stay healthy.
The Misfit Vapor also boasts a high-res AMOLED screen and Snapdragon 2100 chipset.
More Android Wear 2.0 features
For all you need to know about Android Wear 2.0, including our in-depth review, tips and tricks and more, check out our Android Wear 2.0 hub.
Leave a Reply