What is the very cheapest Android Wear 2.0 Watch?

Glen Cook

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Hi Guys,

I'm in need of an Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch for software development. I don't have two pennies to rub together so just need the absolute cheapest watch that runs 2.0. I don't care if it is complete rubbish.

I currently have the Samsung Galaxy Gear Live. I've not been able to determine if it will get the upgrade. I think maybe the Sony SW3 (£99 on Amazon) could be a good option, but from what I've read it will not be updated immediately. Are there any very cheap Chinese watches out there that are getting the 2.0 update?

Thanks,
Glen
 

PookiePrancer

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Try a Google search, as well. Other vendors may have it for less. The only catch I've seen is that the lowest price is for less desirable colors like white and orange.
 

WallaceD

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The ASUS Zenwatch 2 is due to get the 2.0 update. Around Christmas it could be had for under $100 (US). Current lowest price is about $20 more than that, but Amazon seems to put it on sale with some regularity.
 

Glen Cook

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To get 2.0 now [March 2017], the options are:

1. New 2.0 watch [$$$$]

2. Huawei watch or LG Urbane 2 [Watches that can be flashed with the official 2.0 developer release, but are still expensive]

3. Sony Smartwatch 3 [Developer is working on a custom ROM for this]
https://forum.xda-developers.com/smartwatch-3/general/unnoficial-port-t3557111

4. ASUS Zenwatch 2 [may get the update in April -- Early Q2 they say]
ASUS ZenWatch 2 And ZenWatch 3 To Get Android Wear 2.0 Update In Early Q2

5. There are many other watches on the upgrade list, but no timetables given for when that will happen. Manufacturers will inevitably delay those upgrades to entice people to buy their newest watches. It isn't clear which watch to buy if you want 2.0 ASAP.
http://www.droid-life.com/2017/02/08/list-watches-receiving-android-wear-2-0/

So I've been unable to find an affordable 2.0 watch. No cheap Chinese options?
 
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kramer5150

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As of May 2017 running AW 2.0 affordably doesn't seem possible. Updates to older devices are spotty and unpredictable for many:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/android-wear/LeQYY8DFiyY

Your best bet around $200 is Huawei or Fossil, but no guarantees here
https://www.amazon.com/Huawei-Stain...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5819695

https://www.amazon.com/Fossil-Found...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5819695

I can tell from first hand experience to stay away from the moto 360 gen1 or gen2. While I did get a notification to update to 2.0, I prefer 1.5 on my watch... although bluetooth notifications has been inconsistent. My views here:
https://youtu.be/dc0bf8zHBQw
https://youtu.be/4xb6ZtJgk0I

The other really messed up aspect of the ecosystem are the Play store AW apps. Not all apps on playstore are compatible with AW 2.0... and many times there is no way to tell which ones work and which ones don't. You have to just try them for yourself, keep the ones that do work. But being a developer I suppose you knew this already.

[EDIT] Oops I didn't realize how old this thread is.
 
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fdisker2000

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As of May 2017 running AW 2.0 affordably doesn't seem possible. Updates to older devices are spotty and unpredictable for many:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/android-wear/LeQYY8DFiyY

Your best bet around $200 is Huawei or Fossil, but no guarantees here
https://www.amazon.com/Huawei-Stain...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5819892

https://www.amazon.com/Fossil-Found...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU5819892

I can tell from first hand experience to stay away from the moto 360 gen1 or gen2. While I did get a notification to update to 2.0, I prefer 1.5 on my watch... although bluetooth notifications has been inconsistent.

The other really messed up aspect of the ecosystem are the Play store AW apps. Not all apps on playstore are compatible with AW 2.0... and many times there is no way to tell which ones work and which ones don't. You have to just try them for yourself, keep the ones that do work. But being a developer I suppose you knew this already.

[EDIT] Oops I didn't realize how old this thread is.

I just don't know how you can keep complaining about AW 2.0. The Moto 360 gen 1 is not being updated to 2.0 and the gen 2 hasn't had it's update released yet.
Do you have a watch that actually has 2.0?

I have the Huawei Watch (updated) and the LG Watch Sport, they both run 2.0 great and all of my apps run.

I understand that you're having problems with your watch but they are completely unrelated to AW 2.0.
 

kramer5150

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No admittedly I don't yet own a 2.0 device. One week ago I did get a notification to download a new AW version for my moto gen-2. I read through the details and it identified itself as 2.0, but I declined it. I actually prefer 1.5... based on features and changes reported by others.

My commentary is mainly directed towards AW as a whole ecosystem and my experiences with it, how reliable it is, how well updated it has been for me (and others too), and how well the transitional updates have been rolled out. It has not been all wine and roses for everyone.

If people just look at the add banners, youtube unboxing videos, www reviews, some from very well respected product reviewers... it all seems like it paints only one kind of picture. Which I personally think is mis-leading.

The question going forward though is how well will AW 2.0 be supported, 1-2 years from now when the next 2.5~3.0 rolls out will it be better or worse?

So just take my commentary for what it is worth to each of us, as always YMMV. I am not intending to crap-can everything outright. I am just providing another side of the story, beyond the hype, beyond the free review samples handed out in droves, based on my own experiences as a retail paying consumer.

Am I being critical, harsh... perhaps. But at $200~400 consumers should be critical. That's a lot of $$ IMHO. That kind of dough will buy you a great traditional wrist watch that will last decades+, and even a good mid-tier smart phone.

peace..
 
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dov1978

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Buy a 2nd hand/used watch it'll be much cheaper. I got the Sony Smartwatch 3 a few years ago and still wear it at work but I know it's definitely not getting 2.0 like ever. The guys on XDA doing a custom rom have gave up too from what I read. I also got an Asus Zenwatch 2 which was very cheap bought 2nd hand and it's due 2.0 any day now
 
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muzzy996

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Just my 2-cents but if it were me I wouldn't take a chance on an older watch with the expectation that it will run the latest version of Wear well. Based upon the feedback thus far watches with a Snapdragon 2100 seem to perform better with Wear 2.0. Granted the nature of forums is that feedback will always be predominantly negative so take my comment with a grain of salt.

For me my Fossil Q Marshal works fine but I really don't use it much throughout the day. I'm hoping that at some point someone will make an ​Android Wear watch that is waterproof and has a heart rate monitor on it.
 

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