LG LTE Android Wear watch and G5 smartphone are now available for preorder from Verizon

Following AT&T’s move earlier this week, Verizon has reopened preorders of the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE smartwatch, after pulling it from shelves late last year. In addition, the carrier has also started taking preorders for the LG G5 smartphone with delivery expected for April 1st.

The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE is the first Android Wear watch with standalone cellular connectivity and the first smartwatch available in the US with support for LTE networks. (Samsung Gear S2 3G does not support LTE, but relies on slower 3G networks.) Verizon is selling the watch for $499.99 or $449.99 with a two-year service contract. That’s considerably more than the $360 that AT&T is charging for the same device, though Verizon only charges $5 per month for service on the watch, while AT&T’s service is $10 per month. Customers can save another $100 off the price of the watch if they pair it with a G5 or LG V10 smartphone purchase. Verizon says the new watch is compatible with its Verizon Messages service, which allows for syncing of text messages between the watch, a phone, and other devices.

For G5 preorders from March 24th to March 31st, Verizon is including a free extra battery, charging cradle, and 360 degree camera. The device is available for $624, which can be spread out over 24 monthly payments of $26.

Cellular connected smartwatches are in their infancy, and have so far proven to be not particularly valuable compared to smartwatches that rely on Bluetooth connections to a phone. But they will likely be more common in the future, and will gain more functionality over time. Stay tuned for our reviews of the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE and G5 smartphone in the near future.