So, in recent days both the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live have gone on sale in the uk at Google Play. Both are the first wave of devices using Android Wear – Google’s foray into the smartwatch market – and to be honest, they all look pretty nifty!

Given that I normally struggle to choose yoghurt flavours, how can I decide on which device to buy?  What staggering differences are there between them? Well, first impressions say that actually, there’s not that much between them at all. They both run the identicle, vanilla Android Wear experience, they look *kinda* similar and they both last about a day on battery (although the G Watch has a slightly more powerful battery and can manage 1.5 days at a stretch). That makes choosing between them a lot harder – Let’s try to break down some stats and see what comes out on top

LG G Watch

• £159.99
• Processor: CPU 1.2 GHz
• Memory: 4 GB internal storage with 512 MB RAM
• Display: 1.65” IPS LCD
• Battery: 400 mAh
• Weight: 63 g
• Dimensions: 37.9 x 46.5 x 9.95 mm

Pros: Slightly cheaper, Slightly better battery life, Slight bigger screen, nicer charging cradle than the Gear Live, comes in two colour schemes

Cons: Screen suffers ever-so-slightly in bright conditions from banding.

Samsung Gear Live

• £169.99
• Processor: CPU 1.2 GHz
• Memory: 4 GB internal storage with 512 MB RAM
• Display: 1.63” 320 x 320 SuperAMOLED (278 ppi)
• Battery: 300 mAh
• Weight: 59 g
• Dimensions: 37.9 x 56.4 x 8.9 mm

Pros: Beautiful screen

Cons: None.

So. Both devices are incredibly close in terms of performance and all of the pros and cons are so tiny, it really makes hardly any difference. Even battery life isn’t a factor because both devices are designed to be charged overnight on their cradles and once you’re into that habit, the extra oomph from the G Watch won’t figure in at all.

I would honestly base my decision on the most basic factor – which one you prefer the look of. Both devices can swap out their standard straps for any 22mm strap on the market, so each one is customisable to a certain degree.  I think with that in mind, I’ll be looking to snap up a nice custom band for an LG G Watch in the very near future!