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Sub-$200 Asus ZenWatch Is Designed to Undercut Rivals

But can anyone compete with the Korean juggernauts?

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While overshadowed by nearly simultaneous announcements from LG and Samsung late last week, Taiwanese manufacturer Asus also revealed that it will announce a smartwatch at IFA 2014: the ZenWatch.

It appears that the company is banking on a low price and distinctive looks to set the ZenWatch apart. Taiwan’s Central News Agency reports that the watch, which will be officially announced on September 3rd in Berlin, will retail for under $199. It’s expected to go on sale in the U.S. and other “selected markets” in October.

While official pricing for the Samsung Gear S has yet to be revealed, the best educated guesses have put it higher than $200. The cost of the LG G Watch R was recently leaked at €299 in Germany, which suggests a $299 or higher sticker price in the U.S.

Like the G Watch R, the ZenWatch will run Android Wear—a special version of Android designed for smartwatches. That means it can be paired with any Android handset (running OS version 4.3 and above), regardless of manufacturer. Samsung’s Gear S, on the other hand, will run on the proprietary Tizen OS, and will thus only be able to interface with Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Reviewed.com will go hands-on with the ZenWatch at IFA Berlin later this week, so be sure to check back for our in-depth first impressions.

Source: CNA (Focus Taiwan)

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