The Samsung Gear 2 and LG Watch Urbane W150 represent distinct approaches to the early Android Wear (now Wear OS) smartwatch landscape. The Gear 2, with its proprietary Exynos chipset, aimed for a tightly integrated experience, while the Urbane W150 leveraged Qualcomm's Snapdragon 400 for broader compatibility and potentially improved performance. This comparison dissects their core hardware to reveal which device holds up better today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional and responsive smartwatch experience, the LG Watch Urbane W150 emerges as the better choice. Its quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, built on a more efficient 28nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Gear 2’s dual-core Exynos 3250, translating to smoother animations and quicker app loading times.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, April. Released 2014, April | 2015, October. Released 2015, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 58.4 x 36.9 x 10 mm (2.30 x 1.45 x 0.39 in) | 45.5 x 52.2 x 10.9 mm (1.79 x 2.06 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 68 g (2.40 oz) | 66.5 g (2.36 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Compatible with standard 22mm straps |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 320 x 320 pixels (~278 ppi density) | 320 x 320 pixels (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.63 inches | 1.3 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | P-OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Exynos 3250 Dual | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Tizen OS | Android Wear OS 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | No |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, LE | 4.1, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, heart rate |
| | MP3 player
MP4/H.264 player
Photo viewer
S-Voice
Voice memo/dial/commands | MP3 player
Photo viewer
Voice dial/commands |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 410 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Gold Brown, Wild Orange | Silver, Gold |
| Models | SM-R380 | - |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | 0.02 W/kg (head) 0.12 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.02 W/kg (head) 0.09 W/kg (body) | 0.02 W/kg (head) 0.39 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Gear 2
- Potentially tighter software integration with Samsung ecosystem.
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Early adopter of Tizen OS (though now outdated).
- Less powerful Exynos 3250 processor.
- Likely less efficient battery life.
- Outdated software support.
LG Watch Urbane W150
- More powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor.
- Improved power efficiency due to 28nm process.
- Classic watch design aesthetic.
- May have less seamless integration with Samsung services.
- Potentially larger and heavier than the Gear 2.
- Limited software updates.
Display Comparison
Neither device's specifications detail display characteristics beyond basic size and resolution. However, given the Urbane W150’s focus on a traditional watch design, it likely features a more premium display with better viewing angles. The Gear 2, while functional, likely prioritized cost-effectiveness in its display panel. Without specific nit brightness or color gamut data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Urbane’s aesthetic suggests a higher-quality visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Neither device was known for its camera prowess, and detailed camera specs are unavailable. Given the era, both likely featured basic cameras suitable for quick snapshots. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The camera functionality on both devices was likely a secondary consideration.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG Watch Urbane W150’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor built on a 28nm process, significantly outperforms the Samsung Gear 2’s Exynos 3250 dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7. The additional cores and more refined manufacturing process of the Snapdragon 400 translate to better multitasking capabilities and reduced lag. While both utilize the Cortex-A7 architecture, the Qualcomm chip’s superior core count and process node provide a clear advantage in real-world performance. The 28nm process also implies better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained use.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Snapdragon 400’s 28nm process node offers a power efficiency advantage over the Exynos 3250. This means the Urbane W150 likely achieves comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. The more efficient processor reduces power draw during typical usage, extending the time between charges. Charging wattage is also unknown, making a direct comparison of charge times impossible.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Gear 2 if you prioritize a potentially more streamlined software experience within the Samsung ecosystem, and are comfortable with a slightly less responsive interface. Buy the LG Watch Urbane W150 if you value a more consistently fluid user experience, benefit from the broader compatibility offered by the Snapdragon platform, and appreciate a design that leans towards a classic watch aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 3250 in the Gear 2 suffer from noticeable overheating during prolonged use?
Given the dual-core architecture and less efficient manufacturing process, the Exynos 3250 is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon 400. Users may experience slowdowns during extended tasks like navigation or music streaming.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 400 and Exynos 3250 noticeable in everyday tasks like checking notifications and responding to messages?
Yes, the Snapdragon 400’s quad-core configuration provides a smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks. While the Gear 2 is functional, the Urbane W150 exhibits quicker app loading times and fewer instances of lag when navigating the user interface.
❓ Which device is more likely to receive software updates, even years after release?
Neither device is likely to receive significant software updates at this point. However, the Snapdragon platform generally enjoys longer software support cycles due to Qualcomm’s broader developer ecosystem. The Gear 2, running Tizen, is effectively end-of-life in terms of updates.
