LG Watch Urbane hands-on - Android Wear in metal
You can't accuse LG of slacking on Android Wear, with the LG Watch Urbane the third model to run Google's smartwatch platform. Announced a few weeks back, but making its official debut here at Mobile World Congress 2015, the new smartwatch keeps the circular P-OLED touchscreen of its G Watch R predecessor, but frames it in a brand new, high-quality metal casing for a feel more akin to traditional timepieces.
So, the body has been slimmed down versus the G Watch R, and the bezels are slimmer too. LG has done away with the chronograph-like markings, which should leave the Watch Urbane looking less incongruous with alternative watch faces.
![](https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/lg-watch-urbane-hands-on-android-wear-in-metal/P3011342-LG-URBANE-URBANE-LT-600x338.jpg)
The metal is polished and finished in either silver or gold, and it's paired with a stitched leather strap. Altogether, there's a feeling of quality a clear step above LG's previous smartwatches, which erred on the plastic side.
![](https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/lg-watch-urbane-hands-on-android-wear-in-metal/P3011456-LG-URBANE-URBANE-LT-600x338.jpg)
Pressed against your wrist is a heart rate monitor, while inside there's a barometer and Bluetooth.
![](https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/lg-watch-urbane-hands-on-android-wear-in-metal/P3011345-LG-URBANE-URBANE-LT-600x338.jpg)
As for software, this is Android Wear as we've seen it several times before. In fact, using the Watch Urbane is pretty much akin to using the G Watch R: a combination of simple taps and swipes to move through the interface, then voice commands for text entry and more complex tasks like setting a navigation destination.
![](https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/lg-watch-urbane-hands-on-android-wear-in-metal/P3011338-LG-URBANE-URBANE-LT-600x338.jpg)
I'm still not 100-percent convinced by Android Wear – to be frank, I don't think any smartwatch platform has got it entirely right yet – but the Watch Urbane is certainly a handsome way to wear it. In its favor is the fact that it doesn't look too geeky: with a relatively classic face loaded, you could be mistaken for wearing a traditional watch. Neither is it too ostensibly masculine, something LG says was intentional.
![](https://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/lg-watch-urbane-hands-on-android-wear-in-metal/P3011319-LG-URBANE-URBANE-LT-600x338.jpg)
What's still unclear is when you'll actually be able to pick one up. LG is keeping quiet on release dates and pricing at this stage; we'll update when we know more.