Samsung Gear Live review: Samsung’s first ever Android Wear goes on head-to-head against LG’s G Watch. But when it comes to being a viable option compared to the rest of the smartwatches, does the Gear Live stand a chance?

Powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor, the Gear Live features a 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display, 4 GB storage, and a 512MB RAM. But most of all, it gives its users the liberty to connect with Android phones with a 4.4.3 or later OS.

Its metal design that weighs 59 grams gives us the same feel of the Gear 2. Critics are complaining that the South Korean company could have literally got out of the box-type design. Still, the color and first impression still looks premium.

The Gear Live might have mirrored the Gear 2 too much in terms of display. The smartwatch still doesn’t shine well under direct sunlight. The good thing is that in normal lighting conditions, the 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display is vibrant and clear.

In terms of performance, some critics are saying that its 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon 400 may sometimes lag. But overall, the processors are quite responsive. It also features Commute, Fitness, Flights, Keep, Music Control, Navigation, Next Appointment, Reminders and Voice Search functions.

It is somewhat disappointing that Samsung failed to go an extra mile in adding better specs to the smartwatch other than its Android Wear capability. It could have worked on the display, battery life, and charging port. Better yet, it could have added more applications that are fit for not only fitness buffs.

Here is TechRadar’s verdict: "Samsung claims another world's first with its Android Wear smartwatch debut, tied as usual with LG. On the outside, Gear Live is almost exactly like its previous watches, but the Google software on the inside makes worth the time of early adopters."

Meanwhile, Trusted Reviews says, “The Samsung Gear Live is the best of the current Android Wear smartwatches, but we would still hold out for something with better battery life and a slimmer, more attractive design.”

In spite of its compatibility with more smartphones than its predecessors, the Samsung Gear Live is not something that would make you run to the nearest store. It’s better to wait for the upcoming Moto 360 and the rumored Apple smartwatch before checking your wallet.