TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE vs. TicWatch Pro: What's the difference and which should you buy?

TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE

While the TicWatch Pro LTE version has some nice upgrades, it's not a total improvement. Most importantly, it offers LTE connectivity, which might appeal to some users. However, there are also missed opportunities to make some much-needed enhancements.

TicWatch Pro

The TicWatch Pro isn't the newest device by any means, but it's still a viable option for smartwatch enthusiasts. Wear OS may not be everyone's first choice, but it does serve its purpose and it's difficult to beat this low price compared to competitors.

When you take into account that these two devices are essentially the same with some nifty improvements, it may not seem like there's much to discuss. However, the TicWatch Pro and its new successor, the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE, are all about the details. If you're trying to decide which is the best Android smartwatch, one of these wearables just might fit the bill.

TicWatch Pro vs. LTE What's the same?

You'll find that the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE offers a lot of the same features as the TicWatch Pro. For starters, the physical design keeps many of the same traits. Both models have a sleek, stainless steel bezel and a sturdy aluminum back cover. However, the band that comes with the watch is now silicone rather than a blend of genuine leather and silicone. This might seem like a downgrade in some aspects, but it's a better material choice for fitness fanatics. Fortunately, there are plenty of TicWatch Pro bands to choose from when you want to switch things up.

You'll also have the same side buttons and a remarkable dual-layer display. If you're not familiar with this perk, it's an impressive one at that. Mobvoi uses a transparent LCD layered on top of an OLED display, which is a clever way to conserve battery life so you don't have to charge your watch as often.

In fact, your battery should last up to a whopping 30 days when you use Essential Mode exclusively, which relies on the LCD only while also shutting down Wear OS. As you might've guessed, this limits what you can actually do with your smartwatch. Alternatively, you can opt for Smart Mode, which switches to the LCD when your smartwatch is idle and should extend battery life for up to five days.

As for other similarities, you'll have Google Assistant, NFC for Google Pay, 4 GB of internal storage, and it's still powered by the Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor. Memory has nearly doubled (more on that in a bit), which helps significantly with the performance and speed of the watch. However, it would've been nice to see the updated processor make its arrival, but it didn't happen with this model.

You also have the same IP68 water-resistance rating, which is now suitable for pool swimming in shallow waters. Considering that Mobvoi cautions against using the Pro 4G in high-speed water pressure environments, it would've been great to include a higher water resistance rating. The good news is that you do get a MIL-STD-810G durability rating with the TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE.

TicWatch Pro vs. LTE What's new?

As we hinted earlier, the RAM on the Pro 4G was increased from 512 MB to 1 GB. It's a step up that deserves some credit, but it would've been even better with an upgraded Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor. Considering this could've helped significantly with battery usage and workouts, it's a bummer it wasn't included. Alas, we'll take what we can get.

The biggest and baddest new feature is — you guessed it — cellular connectivity. Before you get too excited about the 4G/LTE connectivity, it's important to note that it's only available with Verizon. One of the best features is Verizon NumberShare, which enables you to receive calls, texts, and use data anywhere with the Pro 4G. There's also a new SOS feature with 911 auto-dial and location sharing for emergencies.

With that said, you'll want to keep in mind that when you combine this feature with GPS during an extensive workout, your battery is going to drain rather quickly. If you've been waiting for a smartwatch with LTE connectivity, this is a small price to pay for the feature.

You'll be pleased to learn that the Pro 4G also boasts some impressive health and fitness enhancements. In addition to Google Fit, TicExericse, TicPulse, and TicHealth, you'll also have TicMotion. This feature promises to proactively detect your motion and provide you with your fitness records, all click-free. TicMotion can detect fast walking, running, cycling, and more. The improved heart rate monitoring claims to have higher precision and will give you daily heart rate zones, seven days of heart rate history, and abnormal heart rate warnings.

TicWatch Pro vs. LTE Which should you buy?

If you can envision yourself reaping the benefits of having a 4G/LTE-enabled smartwatch, then it's worth the upgrade. We would've liked to see some other improvements to the Pro, but it's a work in progress that has taken some important steps in the right direction. If you're not already a Verizon customer, it could be more trouble than it's worth to make the switch for this smartwatch alone. Casual athletes will appreciate the health and fitness enhancements on the Pro 4G. However, the professionals who crave all the details will be left wanting more.

The Pro is still a great option for its price point, too. If you don't have a burning need for a watch with 4G, then you could be perfectly content with the original version. Again, fitness enthusiasts who are serious about their health and exercise data are probably going to want something a bit more robust. You can't argue that the extra features along with the basic tracking are nice to have.

Don't forget that Mobvoi has other new models to consider, like the TicWatch Pro 3 and the TicWatch Pro 2020, for example. These two options are definitely worth a glance if you want a newer model with more improvements.