LG’s G Watch R is the most expensive Android Wear watch yet

LG’s round-faced G Watch R smartwatch was only announced back in August, but it’s coming out next week — if you live in South Korea. LG yesterday confirmed the new Android Wear device will be launching in its home country on October 14th, for a price of 352,000 won, which at current exchange rates, clocks in at a tax-inclusive price of around $328. There’s still no release date or price for the device in the US or Europe, but LG’s cheaper G Watch was originally priced at 277,000 won in Korean and $230 in the US, meaning the G Watch R is likely to cost around $290 before taxes are added for US sales.

That will make LG’s device the most expensive Android Wear smartwatch on the market when it launches. The G Watch R’s predecessor, the LG G Watch, is now available for around $180, while buying Samsung’s Gear Live would set you back $200. The recently released Moto 360 is the current high-water mark, at a price of $250. But all Android Wear devices look set to be a cheaper option than Apple’s take on the smartwatch — the functionally named Apple Watch will be available for a starting price of $350.

Sojung Lim contributed reporting.