Really steep asking price for a product which effectively relies on the success of how Google moves forward the Wear OS platform if you ask me. This could easily become an expensive paperwieght quite soon...
I feel like WearOS devices are ALWAYS one more generation away from being good. The NEXT generation of processor, the next version of the software, the next interface update...
You're not wrong! The reason I hold out hope for the future is that W5+ is a true generational leap in silicon, rather than the kind of iterative improvements Qualcomm has delivered with 2100/3100/4100. That plus Google's devotion to at least its own house-branded wearable seems to imply a brighter future for Wear OS. But time will tell.
@@TheMrMobile your optimism (and really excellent insights, and your love of Star Trek) are why I've been a fan for so many (many, many at this point) years. Thanks Captain Two-Phones!
I actually feel the opposite. Having used wear OS since the original square LG G Watch, I think it does everything it needs to. You don't need fast CPUs and long feature sets for something that tells time and shows notifications. If anything feature creep is my biggest problem with wear OS. I have newer and more feature packed smartwatches, but the one I keep coming back to is my 4+ year old Armani Wear OS watch. A nice looking watch with a big screen and fast stable software.
Well said! Amazing video as usual - but a quibble with Mr M on “next time?” The issue here in 2022 is software - not hardware. The software is poorly optimized. New hardware hasn’t fixed poor optimization once again. It’s why Wear OS is in a stalled loop and, I’d bet but can’t say for sure, why some features are missing. If Pixel fixes this it will be bc the software saw more care and tweaking, not the hardware
@@jomeyqmalone See, I think you've hit on one of the problems with WearOS: I'm actually fine with a low-power, simpler device most of the time - I don't want a GPS and apps on my everyday watch. I want stability, notifications, fitness tracking, and battery life (plus the ability to tell time). But I don't think WearOS has ever wanted to be that - they've always wanted to be a high-powered "do-everything" device on your wrist, but between the hardware and software it never quite gets there. For a simple EDC device I'm thinking hard about a Withings (although the lack of realtime API support is a bummer), but for the *sometimes* when I do want a watch as a fully capable device, if not WearOS then what? An Apple Watch? No thanks. So that's the conundrum: WearOS doesn't want to be a low-power, basic system, but has just never managed to be a good "do-everything" device.
I just cannot understand how so many high end watches have such a thick black bezel around the entire screen. Moto360 had a screen that went all the way to the watch frame except for the ”flat tire” which was far less space than these bezels, not to mention the galaxy watch4 classic shown in this very video has a screen that goes to the edge of the watch frame without a black bezel ring
That bezel is for the ambient light sensor. The Moto 360 and Huawei watch first generation are the best looking watches. I ended up going with the Skagen watch. Had the least visible bezel out of all of the current watches out there
WearOS feels like a continuous tease. I got a Nixon Mission back in 2016 (6 years ago now!), and I can't think of a single thing this watch can do that it couldn't. Even battery life hasn't improved.
Yeah I feel like you're right that the Wear OS 3 experience on anything but the Pixel Watch is akin to something like AOSP Android versus what you get on a Pixel smartphone but it looks like the Pixel Watch customizations will stretch further than the comparison of AOSP Android 12/13 versus the Pixel 6 Android experience for instance. I'm still excited to see the final result of the Pixel Watch though since that's still my main choice over the GW5, hopefully it's well received.
I actually think it's a really good move by Google. They have transitioned to the same approach with android automotive, where they provide a framework for different manufacturers to build upon. Since the software is such a massive part of the phone/watch/car/etc experience, Google now let's manufacturers tailor that experience to their own brand ideals. It also then let's Google take more creative risks with their own UI, like material U in android 12
This guy is my favorite tech youtuber and for some strange reason youtube stopped recommending me this channel now ima have to watch the past 15 vids I didn't see 😂
It feels like Wear OS 3 is in that Windows Mobile 6/early Android stage where manufacturers all had their own skins (Touchwiz, HTC Sense, etc) and there will be a few standouts (like there were on phones back then) before the whole trend dies off and Samsung is the only one left still skinning their devices in a major way
Google is always in a weird position where it creates something new, innovative, and that shows promise. But then when that thing doesn't immediately light the world on fire (with no marketing push) then Google either scraps it or puts it through endless retoolings, rebrandings, and relaunches. WearOS actually beat WatchOS to market, yet nearly a decade on it still feels unfinished compared to Apple. WearOS's only claim to fame is circular displays, which are cool, but don't make up for terrible software and support. Apple Watch 3 is still on the latest OS update, and it's almost 5 years old. Find me any WearOS watch launched in 2017 that is still receives updates. Though seeing as how seldom Google releases updates, technically some of them could still be almost up to date. I doubt the Pixel watch will change anything. It'll be like all of Google's other endeavors. It'll get no marketing, have 1 or 2 really neat features that no normie hears about or understands, fail to sell, and send Google back to the drawing board. It will not be the savior WearOS needed 5 years ago.
Well said. Wear 1.x was great, but they just never optimized it, so the new versions feel like from 2015 To be fair, the first G watch can still be used with a modern phone, but I doubt much longer.
I wonder where the whole Android world would be without Samsung. They alone made Android worth it and they're doing the same with these "side projects" like the watches.
As a non athletic googler, who has always wanted a slick and simple round watch, and couldn't find an excuse to buy one yet... This is yet another no but from me. When you mentioned it has no assistant.. the main uses I can think of (for myself) will be checking messages (top knob?) And summoning the assistant (for starting up timers, or adding items to my shopping list - bottom knob?).
I'll probably never own a smartwatch but I love watching MrMobile smartwatch reviews! I'm excited to see how the market will grow and change in the months to come.
I like my galaxy iv classic, got it because it looked like it was designed in the 90s. Had that sports watch look to it. heck i didnt even notice that the bezel turned until i accidently turned it and it did something.
I'm thinking the same, that there's always a reason from Google as to why it hasn't fulfilled promises or expectations, whether that be software or hardware reasons.
Thank you for the informative review and the straight-ahead delivery. Easy to follow and understand. I feel like this watch is one data point of many and that we are all still learning what Google's plans for OS3 are. As far as the watch itself, I'm surprised by no speaker being present and of course, no Google Assistant. I agree that this release has a ways to go and that updates will fix some missing features. How you fix the no speaker, however . . . Thanks, Mike. A really well-done review. Good luck with your efforts.
I would instead recommend getting a used Omega Seamaster, Cartier Tank, or a Longines Conquest. Better options, and they are similar or cheaper in price. They will also outlive you and do not require weird software updates. Mr. Mobile himself has an excellent 8 bit Brew Watch. That watch is great in the $3-500 range. You can't go wrong with any of these.
I'm excited what comes from a more reasonably priced option from a manufacturer like TicWatch. I don't mind wearing something without fancy branding. I just need something to help me keep on top of my notifications
Glad they finally updated Google Maps for WearOS. Does it still spam you with notifications if you have it running on the phone too, though? It's weird they've redesigned so much of the UI on the whole OS though to make it boring, but none of it is consistent!
You can turn off watch notifications for google maps. It almost drove me insane before I figured it out. Now I just need google assistent to function. Works as expected on my phone, but my Galaxy Watch 4 says that my language isn't supported yet. Doesn't make sense.
Very much hoping to see a comparison between the fossil update and this watch. Early reviews of the fossil experience haven't felt great. Hope to see a reviewers take
More and more, I just feel like straying to the hybrid watches. A good list of essential health tracking, built around a nice looking timepiece. I dont need moving wallpapers, I dont need to stroke my ego with my face on a watch dial, I dont need games on my watch, and so on
Still waiting for WearOS 3 on my fossil gen 6 and after watching this I both understand the delay and yet I'm losing hope that the update will be game changing
I can't believe that such an expensive watch doesn't include a speaker. Even my Honor MagicWatch 2 which cost me like $130 includes one and you can even make calls with it.
It should be call "WhereOS" because every review from before and after the last Galaxy Watch seems to referencing this revolutionary update and fixes that let's face it will never come. The cynic in me says if Google manages to drag wearOS toward any success it will hit the magic metric for them to axe it in fear they actually build something right. I'm surprised they're not positioning Chrome to kill
That's disappointing. For $1,200, I would expect the battery to last at least a few days, and for Google Assistant (or at least *some* assistant) to come with it. Google letting manufacturers make their own software for the watches ... worries me. Mont Blanc and other watch companies don't really know computer tech very well, so I'm anticipating a lot of half-baked software.
Get a duex max monitor. It's perfect for on the go working. It is basically another screen that you stick to the back of your laptop and completely runs off the laptop.
Just get a Garmin. After several pretty good Samung Gear S3s, an Apple Watch 4 and a few others I bought a used Fenix 3. Superb daylight readable display, one week battery life, robust build quality, mechanical buttons and rarely crashes.
Tbh before whacking this vid when I got my Galaxy Watch 4 classic I thought it was still running Samsung’s WearOS and not WatchOS because of how much Samsung changed the look and feel of the OS
For $1200, there should be a speaker and a camera. That watch is basically a better built watch bearing the design/design queues from Fossil but missing a few features.
My daily work watch is a Huawei Watch GT 2, it does everything I need and the battery life is over a week (almost 2 weeks really) the only battery saving I do is "tilt to wake". Why can't other manufacturers match the battery life of the Huawei? I've got various smart watches and none can compete with it. I'd love to know the answer.
Thank you for this. It is one of the very few reviews of an upscale smartwatch -- which yes, has a market. Any chance you could review the Tag Heuer Connected E4 (at least the 42 mm version)?
The galaxy watch 4 got Google assistant in June I believe after many months of release and the promise that it would get the assistant. I'm still bummed out that Google doesn't support Google pay on the watch for tap to pay in India. I use Google pay on the phone for everything. So it would be amazing to have it on the watch as well.
Have contemplated a smart watch for years but have yet to find one that makes me want to pull the trigger. Now, I'm so attached to my traditional mechanical watches, I'm not sure I'd give it up for a smart watch. Simplicity over function, and whatever I can do on my phone, should stay on my phone?
Feels like there wasn't much intersecting said about the software but that's where Wear OS will prove its place for me. I'm still kinda rooting for Wear OS at this point but I'll go where the best option is and I think Samsung still have that monopolised for android phones personally. I think we need to wait and see what other manufactures are able to pull off and if they provide enough incentive for people to actually buy these watches.
Looked like a great watch until the price hit me right between the eyes. Wow. What I'm finding weird about my taste in watches these days is I like the good, old-fashioned watch faces so I can tell time at a glance. Really don't want/need more than that I think.
Great review, when I saw the watch, I thought that I finally found my replacement to the old watches I inherited in my drawers and my daily driver smartwatch - I think I can be ok with no speaker, but no google assistant? Can you possibly connect it to bluetooth headset or are you bound to carrying a phone?
$1,200 and no edge to edge screen, my Ticwatch 4G has a full edge to edge screen. with no banding round the side. Has a speaker and still lasts me a good 2 days before I have to charge. What a poor effort from this so called "luxury brand", They should stick to their $2500 pens. Leave smart watch to far better (also cheaper) manufacturers.
I'm waiting for the Pixel Watch release because it might prove me wrong. I don't get why there isn't more love for WearOS 3 on the GW4 series. It's not pure WearOS, but there's not the typical Samsung bloat. There's just no way to really feature-load a smartwatch. So this watch really is so similar to the GW4 functionally. Aesthetically, yes. Very different. But still very enjoyable to use. Personally, I just don't see how another WearOS watch released in the near future can shine a light on some big flaw of WearOS with Samsung. We're not talking phones here. Everybody is waiting for there to 'finally be a good WearOS watch', and I really feel like there's been one for about a year now. I'm not sure why everybody seems to be missing that.
Nice review Captain, interesting to see even if it is a price tag that i wouldn't consider, it show the potential of more budget friendly brands like Mobvoi or something like that
I’m intrigued by a luxury smart watch. I don’t wear my Apple Watch at work cause I love my luxury watches. But no speaker or assistant? Seems like a step down from my Apple Watch
For over $1000 i'd expect an upgrade or refurb program... You don't buy a $1000 watch to throw it away after two years. And holy shit, Wear OS 3 is a huge downgrade from OS 2... It's almost like they don't care, because nobody cares about smartwatches.
Montblanc does offer battery replacements, and it has a repair program that can replace components like the crystal if it gets damaged (but not the display underneath). There's also a trade-in program for customers upgrading from a prior Summit. (Didn't get into the details on this video because I was more concerned with Wear OS 3 than the watch itself.)
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m having a hard time justifying the idea of a smartwatch to myself. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really neat to see them grow and develop as a technical and engineering marvel. But when I stop and ask myself: “What are the advanced of having a smartwatch versus having a smartphone?”, they start to look a little…impractical, for a lack of a better description.
It looks like as if Google told OEMs “here, develop this” and they…developed it. But Google’s plan was to keep the foundation and create a real wear os experience with the pixel watch!
I have the Galaxy Watch 4 and wearOS has gotten really good over time. It works flawlessly. Battery lasts about 2 days. idk.. you tech reviewers are sometimes so hard to please.
The samsung galaxy watch has had google assistant for awhile atleast in Canada, curious that this one doesn't have by default since with samsung I can use both bixby and assistant
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