Both Samsung and LG announced new smartwatches this week -- here's a look at them.

Samsung Gear S

Samsung's Gear S smartwatch, pictured above, is a wearable with two notable features: it has a curved design and it can make phone calls and texts without the aid of a phone thanks to an internal 3G modem.

The smartwatch features a 2-inch curved AMOLED display, a dual-core 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, and GPS, heart rate, and motion sensors. Samsung claims the device can run for up to two days without a recharge on its 300mAh battery.

"Samsung is leading this exciting and rapidly developing wearable category through progressive innovation," said JK Shin, CEO and head of IT & mobile communication at Samsung Electronics. "The Samsung Gear S redefines the idea of the smart wearable and the culture of mobile communication. It will let consumers live a truly connected life anywhere, anytime."

Of course, the main draw will be the ability to use the smartwatch on its own without requiring a smartphone nearby. Previous smartwatch entries have often failed because they still need Wi-Fi or a Bluetooth connection with a smartphone in order to perform basic phone functions. With the Gear S, however, users will be able to simply use the watch without having to carry around another device.

The Gear S will run Samsung's own Tizen operating system.

Samsung also announced the Gear Circle headset to receive calls, listen to music, and perform voice commands. Both devices will be available for purchase worldwide in October, although no pricing has been given.

LG G Watch R

LG's G Watch R is a bit smaller and more rounded than Samsung's offering. The G Watch R features a 1.3-inch 320X320 plastic OLED display that LG claims offers clarity in bright sunlight and from any angle. Underneath the hood lies a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, and 410mAh battery.

The G Watch R can be considered an aesthetic successor to the square G Watch unveiled at the Google I/O conference back in June.

"What we've noticed in the year of the wearable is that this is a category that can't be compared to smartphones and tablets," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Wearables are also accessories and consumers will want more than one to choose from. So we wanted to complement the modern design of the original G Watch with the classic look of the G Watch R. Customers can't go wrong with either device."

The G Watch R will come loaded with LG health and fitness apps, as well as a number of other tailored bells and whistles.

The LG G Watch R will release in key markets early in the fourth quarter of 2014, although those attending the IFA conference in Berlin can snag hands-on time from September 5-10.

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