Sony SmartWatch 3 Hits Preorder At The Moto 360's Price

Sony's SmartWatch 3 may not be the first Android Wear device to hit shelves, but its combination of waterproofing and discrete styling – not to mention new the new release of Android Wear 2.0 – could still find the wearable some fans. Appearing today for pre-order through Verizon Wireless, the SmartWatch 3 is priced at a not-inconsiderable $249.99: that, if you've forgotten, is the same as Motorola is asking for the Moto 360, which is certainly more distinctive with its circular touchscreen face.

Announced at IFA 2014, the SmartWatch 3 has a 1.6-inch transflective LCD screen running at 320 x 320 resolution, and packs not only an ambient light sensor, digital compass, gyroscope, and accelerometer into its stainless steel core, but GPS as well.

Connectivity includes Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, and NFC. As we saw when we went hands-on with the wearable, one of its primary distinguishing factors is its use of interchangeable wristbands, with the central unit popping in and out of various silicone sports straps.

Verizon had confirmed it would be offering the SmartWatch 3 at the top end of October, though at the time there was no specific release date nor pricing.

Whether $250 is too much for the Sony watch may depend on what sort of battery life it can deliver. Motorola's Android Wear device has certainly edged ahead in style, at least according to popular acclaim, but its longevity has proved patchy, with some reporting far less than a day of use.

In our own tests of the Moto 360, we found that it could be coaxed into running a full day, but that was not 100-percent consistent.

The Sony SmartWatch 3 is up for preorder now, with shipping expected by October 30th.

SOURCE Verizon