Android Watch Recommendation?

[Snowmirage]

I've had 1 smart watch.  My old LG Gwatch R.  Its battery life is failing and its so slow now that I really don't use it.

Anyone following the scene able to give some recommendations?

Must Haves
Looks like a watch from a reasonable distance.  (i.e. probably needs to be round but as long as its "sleek looking")
GPS + navigation + map on the watch
Audio control
Replaceable bands, ideally with standard watch bands.
Always on display of some sort, want to look at the time without waking it up.
Google Pay
LTE
Mild water resistance, can wash my hands / get soaked in a rain storm with no worries.

Nice to haves
Extreme water resistance, i.e. go for a swim
Google Assistant 


Side questions

How do watches that support LTE get setup no adays?  I've never had a device that didn't use a sim card, I'm assuming watches dont?  FYSA I use Google Fi

I heard there already is, or is about to be some big "team up" between google and samsung with Wear OS.  Are we expecting new stuff coming down the pipe soon that would be worth waiting for?

[Imbadatnames]

Honestly android smartwatches are in such a state right now I cannot reccomend one. It’s either an Apple Watch or a Garmin really and they serve different markets 

[Commodus]

19 hours ago, Snowmirage said:

I've had 1 smart watch.  My old LG Gwatch R.  Its battery life is failing and its so slow now that I really don't use it.

Anyone following the scene able to give some recommendations?

Must Haves
Looks like a watch from a reasonable distance.  (i.e. probably needs to be round but as long as its "sleek looking")
GPS + navigation + map on the watch
Audio control
Replaceable bands, ideally with standard watch bands.
Always on display of some sort, want to look at the time without waking it up.
Google Pay
LTE
Mild water resistance, can wash my hands / get soaked in a rain storm with no worries.

Nice to haves
Extreme water resistance, i.e. go for a swim
Google Assistant 


Side questions

How do watches that support LTE get setup no adays?  I've never had a device that didn't use a sim card, I'm assuming watches dont?  FYSA I use Google Fi

I heard there already is, or is about to be some big "team up" between google and samsung with Wear OS.  Are we expecting new stuff coming down the pipe soon that would be worth waiting for?

I'd echo the Galaxy Watch 4 rec, as it's simply the most capable overall smartwatch for Android users. The standard model is fine; the Classic you go for if you want the physical control ring, included leather straps and generally larger case sizes.

 

It ticks all those boxes except for using standard watch bands, but at least there's going to be a reasonably healthy band selection. And this is at least the first step in the big Google/Samsung collaboration, since it's Wear OS with Samsung customizations.

 

Many smartwatches now use eSIMs (embedded SIMs) or otherwise use carrier info shared from the connected phone. Here's how it works for Samsung. Using LTE on your watch will cost a bit extra from your carrier, but it might be worthwhile if you frequently want to leave your phone behind.

[steelo]

About 2 years ago, I purchased a TicWatch S for sale for $30. I don't know if they still make this (maybe it's the TicWatch S2 now) but it's done everything I've needed it to do. It links to my S20 flawlessly via bluetooth and I can use it for text messaging, calendar reminders, phone calls and music. I don't know if they have a LTE version or not, but as long as you're carrying your phone in your pocket, it has full functionality while you're on the go.