Pixel 2Xl and smartwatches

[Luke18]

Hello All,

I have done my fair share of research but still haven't come up with a good answer.....but what is the best Android smartwatch for the Google Pixel 2xl? I'm wanting a Android Wear OS watch, seems to be able to do more with apps then non-wear OS(or am I wrong)?!.

What I'm looking for in a smartwatch is being able to have an extension of my phone on my wrist(notifications from phone and apps). If I cant respond from the watch, thats ok. But, having a Speaker would be nice. Also I'm a huge weather geek and want something that plays nice with weather apps, especially Radarscope Radar. I feel it would be so cool to have my radar app on my wrist ...I'm such a weather nerd...LOL!!

As far as the health features, anything that it comes with is fine....not to heavy into that sort of thing but if it's there, bonus!!

If you want or need more info on what I'm looking for let me know.

 

[B. Diddy]

I'm becoming a bit of a Wear OS addict -- currently have a Michael Kors Access Grayson, 1st gen Huawei Watch, and LG Watch Style (and also a 1st gen ASUS ZenWatch that I never use any more). The MK watch is great -- nice elegant style that goes with business or casual, and pretty snappy performance. It has a speaker, and it's possible to make and receive calls (although I never do that). I can get notifications from messaging apps (for me, Hangouts, Android Messages, and Telegram), and respond as well, either with quick responses or by typing or dictating responses. For weather, I use DarkSky, who recently came out with a Wear OS app. It appears that RadarScope also has one: https://www.radarscope.app/guide/radarscope-for-android-wear

I found my MK on sale at TJ Maxx, of all places, for a huge bargain at $160. Recently, I also saw the 1st gen Emporio Armani Connected watch there as well for $150 -- also sharp-looking, and with pretty much the same internals (since they're all made by Fossil). If you have a TJ Maxx in your area, check out the jewelry section to see if they might have one of these!

 

[Luke18]

I'm becoming a bit of a Wear OS addict -- currently have a Michael Kors Access Grayson, 1st gen Huawei Watch, and LG Watch Style (and also a 1st gen ASUS ZenWatch that I never use any more). The MK watch is great -- nice elegant style that goes with business or casual, and pretty snappy performance. It has a speaker, and it's possible to make and receive calls (although I never do that). I can get notifications from messaging apps (for me, Hangouts, Android Messages, and Telegram), and respond as well, either with quick responses or by typing or dictating responses. For weather, I use DarkSky, who recently came out with a Wear OS app. It appears that RadarScope also has one: https://www.radarscope.app/guide/radarscope-for-android-wear

I found my MK on sale at TJ Maxx, of all places, for a huge bargain at $160. Recently, I also saw the 1st gen Emporio Armani Connected watch there as well for $150 -- also sharp-looking, and with pretty much the same internals (since they're all made by Fossil). If you have a TJ Maxx in your area, check out the jewelry section to see if they might have one of these!

That's awesome regarding Dark Sky also....that's my other go to weather app. So it looks like if I get a A Droid Wear OS watch I'm good to go.

Of the 3-4 watches you have which one do you like the best?

 

[B. Diddy]

I like the MK Access Grayson the best. The 1st gen Huawei Watch still looks terrific, but it's a bit sluggish. The LG Watch Style's battery life is pretty awful, but I got it for cheap, so I'm not complaining!

There's been a fair amount of press about the new Fossil Sport with the Snapdragon 3100, but from what I understand, the main advantage is somewhat better battery life. My current watches with the older chip still make it through a day without any problem (not counting the LG Watch Style), and I always charge them overnight, so somewhat better battery life doesn't matter much to me.

 

[Luke18]

Curious if anyone has used the Ticwatch Pro? Have watched alot of video reviews and have read alot, seems to be a very good all around watch with good battery life. Plus running Wear OS means allot of features!!

 

[pkcable]

Curious if anyone has used the Ticwatch Pro? Have watched alot of video reviews and have read alot, seems to be a very good all around watch with good battery life. Plus running Wear OS means allot of features!!

I have a Ticwatch 2, one of their earlier models that came BEFORE they switched to WearOS. I love it, BUT it's on a custom version of Android. HOWEVER I can speak to Mobvoi as a company, and the build quality of the watch. The one time I had to contact them, they seemed responsive. The build quality of my watch is excellent, my screen is totally scratch free (sapphire glass?), and the body looks good too. The silicone strap has also held up well. Obviously after a few years there IS some signs of wear, but not much at all. You should see my first gen Apple Watch! lol

My feeling is that the Ticwatch Pro would be of similar good quality, except it has Wear OS. I quite like the old OS, BUT if I did need a new watch I WOULD most likely get the Ticwatch Pro. Pricing is excellent.

 

[Luke18]

I have a Ticwatch 2, one of their earlier models that came BEFORE they switched to WearOS. I love it, BUT it's on a custom version of Android. HOWEVER I can speak to Mobvoi as a company, and the build quality of the watch. The one time I had to contact them, they seemed responsive. The build quality of my watch is excellent, my screen is totally scratch free (sapphire glass?), and the body looks good too. The silicone strap has also held up well. Obviously after a few years there IS some signs of wear, but not much at all. You should see my first gen Apple Watch! lol

My feeling is that the Ticwatch Pro would be of similar good quality, except it has Wear OS. I quite like the old OS, BUT if I did need a new watch I WOULD most likely get the Ticwatch Pro. Pricing is excellent.

Thanks for the response and personal experience.

 

[ALCingularUser]

I've been using the Ticwatch Pro since July, and I really like it. Great screen and fantastic battery life. It's a chunky watch, though, so keep that in mind. Still, build quality is first rate.

 

[Wiley_11]

I've had the Ticwatch Pro since August and no complaints at all.

 

[ptkelly]

I have a Ticwatch Pro and an original Huawei. My biggest complaint with the Huawei was the charger. I never got it right the first time and sometimes getting the charger to connect is frustrating. Ticwatch Pro is much better. I bought a stand and I slip the watch on the stand and it connects almost every time. Connecting either one to my Pixel 2 was a nightmare but once connected it runs fine.

 

[B. Diddy]

That's very true about the Huawei Watch charger. Silly design.:-\

 

[GSDer]

No one with a Nokia (Withings) Steel HR out there? I'd like to see some feedback about one of those hybrid smartwatches.
(FWIW the Fitbit charging arrangement really sucks.)

 

[pkcable]

Just saw a blog on AC where they selected the TicWatch Pro as the best WearOS watch with a speaker...

https://www.androidcentral.com/which-wear-os-devices-have-speaker

Here is their regular review of it.......

https://www.androidcentral.com/ticwatch-pro-review

 

[Ddideemom8]

I just bought an Amazfit Bip off Amazon for 80 bux. More of a fitness tracker but you can get notifications from texts, phone calls, Facebook. Has heart rate monitor, sleep tracking. Battery life is really good. Received mine last Sunday, still has 70% battery life and I do get my text messages, phone call notifications and have heart rate on all the time. You cannot respond to texts, bit I wanted it more for the fitness end. I like it and half the cost of a Fitbit.