With all the news and excitement about the Apple iWatch – or whatever it ends up being called – it’s the perfect time to discuss the competition. Wait, what competition? Who could possibly dream of taking on the all-powerful Apple – right?
We’re talking about Google’s Android platform. There are several smartwatch models available running a full version of Android, while others are running a proprietary or heavily skinned version. In fact, there are so many options when it comes to Android wearables it can be difficult picking one out.
We’ve selected the top five Android smartwatches currently available on the market. Of course, we’re not forgetting about the recently announced Android Wear OS from Google – an operating system designed with wearables and smaller screen devices in mind. Those aren’t supposed to arrive until later in the year, so we’ve added a whole section dedicated to a couple of the most anticipated Android watches.
The Top Five Android Smartwatches Currently Available
Are you in the market for a smartwatch? Want to go with an Android device? You’re in luck, we’re going to reveal the top five Android smartwatches that are currently available on the market. Okay, so that sounded a bit like an introduction for an infomercial – sorry about that.
Let’s get to it.
Samsung Galaxy Gear
While good ol’ Sammy did improve the Gear series with their latest releases (Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, Gear Fit) they changed one crucial element in the process. The new lineup is running Samsung’s OS Tizen, which is why they don’t have a place on this list.
That being said, the original Galaxy Gear is running a forked version of Android. Resourceful users have even been able to root the device and install third party apps – there’s a video floating around of someone playing Candy Crush on a Gear.
It doesn’t hurt that Samsung’s smartwatch brand is one of the most popular on the market, right behind Pebble of course. It’s packing a 1.63” super AMOLED display with a maximum resolution of 320×320 pixels. You can pick up the device in several different colors, but keep in mind it might be hard to find all of them now that the Gear 2 lineup is available.
If you’re interested, the Galaxy Gear runs about $179 to $199 depending on where you purchase the device. You can also read our Samsung Galaxy Gear review to learn more.
Neptune Pine
This bad boy features a massive – for a smartwatch anyway – 2.4” TFT LCD touchscreen display with a maximum resolution of 320×240. If you’re not one for small displays then this might be right up your alley, just understand that the device itself is pretty bulky.
The watchface can detach from the wristband cradle completely, allowing you to use it with two hands like a mini smartphone or tablet.
As for the OS, the Neptune Pine is running a full unhindered version of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Yes, that means you can install third party apps through the Google Play store if you so desire. It also means the entire experience of the device is nearly identical to the version of Android you would use on smartphones and tablets – provided you’re not using a heavily skinned version like something delivered by Samsung.
It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 512MB of RAM, so in terms of hardware this is not some clunky dumbed down device, it’s fairly capable. In addition, the Pine support Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 and cellular networks thanks to the micro-SIM slot. Long story short, it can operate as a completely standalone device if you want to shed the smartphone tether. It works great as a companion device too and can receive alerts from a connected smartphone or tablet if you’d rather use it that way.
All in all, the Neptune Pine is one of the more natural options on this list – mostly due to the fact that it’s running a native version of the Android OS. We’re not sure at this point if the Android Wear OS will offer a better experience than true Android, but when the first devices running Google’s new OS hit the market we’ll update with more details.
You can pick up the Neptune Pine for $335 dollars and up.
inWatch One
Yingqu Technology does have a new device hitting the market soon – if the Kickstarter is successful – called the inWatch Z. They also announced the inWatch X at the beginning of 2014, which should be available in the west soon. Then there’s always the inWatch One C, the latest addition to the One series.
However, we’re talking specifically about the inWatch One below which happens to be the initial offering from Yingqu Technology. It includes a 1.54” TFT LCD touchscreen display, backed by a custom skinned version of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Out of the box users do not have access to the Google Play store, but you can certainly side-load it. It does have a few offerings for third party Android apps, and you can always get more.
If you want one an inWatch One in the west you’ll have to import it – as Yingqu Technology is a small manufacturer based out of China. It’s definitely a capable device and that’s why it made the list. If you want something more recent though, keep your eyes on the other inWatch models hitting the market soon. In particular the inWatch One C which has the same display, same OS and has been upgraded to 512MB of RAM – as opposed to 128MB in the original.
Excluding additional costs, the inWatch One is about $300.
Orsto X3
The Orsto X3 is one of few UK based smartwatches, but it is also one of the better options on the market. Orsto has announced a newer model, the X4, which will be coming soon – though no specific release date has been offered yet.
The Orsto X3 is running a custom version of the Android 4.2 OS, but it doesn’t seem to have any limitations. You can access the Google Play market and download thousands – if not millions – of third party apps designed for Android 4.0+ devices. Admittedly, some of them might be a bit more difficult to use on the 1.54” TFT LCD touchscreen display – but at least you have the option to use them if you want.
Since the X3 is outfitted with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and is compatible with micro-SIM cards it will work as both a standalone and companion device. It’s also worth noting that it doubles as a capable fitness tracker thanks to the heart rate sensing tech embedded within – you can touch your finger to a metal heart rate sensor on the side of the device to acquire readings.
The X3 will be launching sometime this year (2014) with prices listed at £349 (GBP), $580 (USD), €422 (EUR), and SFr515 (CHF) Swiss Francs.
i’m Watch
The i’m Watch is using a customized version of Android which the manufacturer has rightfully dubbed i’m Droid 2. That being said, it’s compatible with all Android 4.0+, iOS 4+, and Blackberry 10+ devices. The i’m Watch does not include standalone functionality, which means you will need to pair it with a compatible smartphone in order to get the most out of it.
It does not have Google Play access, however you can definitely sideload apps since it’s running Android at its core. If you’d like to know more about that, a simple Google search will help you.
The i’m Watch includes a 1.54” TFT LCD touchscreen display with a maximum resolution of 240×240 at 220ppi. You can pick one of these up for $349, if you’re interested.
Top Five Android Smartwatches – Runner Ups
These devices didn’t make the list above, however they are worthy enough to be noted as runner ups.
- Androidly Smartwatch – $175
- Omate TrueSmart – $199
- Geak Watch – $330
If you’re thinking about making a purchase, don’t overlook them just because they didn’t make the list. They are still excellent Android devices.
Android Wear Watches
If you haven’t heard about Android Wear by now, then you must be living under a rock. It’s Google’s answer to the booming wearable and smartwatch market. It’s essentially a restructured version of Android adapted specifically for smaller screen devices – the goal is to make control and interaction more convenient.
A whole slew of manufacturers will be developing devices powered by Google’s OS so expect to see a lot more happening on the Android side of the market. The two Android Wear powered devices that will be hitting the market first are Motorola’s Moto 360 and LG’s G Watch.
When they launch, we’ll make a separate list for Android Wear devices instead of stock Android. We may, or may not, update this list as well.
Community Feedback on the Top Five Android Smartwatches
What do you think about the lineup above? Did we do a good job picking out the top five Android smartwatches currently on the market, or are we missing some contenders? Do you own one of the aforementioned devices and have an experience to share with the community? Feel free to weigh in below – we’d love to hear from you!
It’s nice to see a review looking at the benefits of Android devices. Sometimes you wonder if the tech journalists are all fanatical Apple i-phone ‘cult’ followers or disciples, as all you hear about is “the iwatch is coming” “the world will change when the iwatch arrives” “the iwatch will dominate the market” bla bla.
To me the only 2 serious options are the Neptune and the Orsto X3. However, the Neptune is really very large indeed and maybe only brave techy fans will wear Neptune Pines with pride.
Overall I would place the above list like this…
1. ORSTO X3
2. Neptune Pine
3. Samsung Gear
4. Im Watch
5. In Watch (if it actually works on UK networks which many clumsy Chinese mobile phone watches do not)
You mention the Orsto X4. This is the only picture I can find which apparently is an official release by the Orsto design team.
Thanks for the comment and your input on the list! It will be interesting to see how Android Wear devices fare when they hit the market later this year.
Thanks for the image too, I also came across that picture. It definitely looks attractive!