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Smartwatch fans may not need to wait until IFA 2015 to see the latest installments from Motorola and Samsung. Purported photos of the next-generation Moto 360 and Samsung Gear S2 have leaked online. The photos show that both of the unreleased smartwatches will have a round screen, rather than the square screens that most of the competing brands have.
A keen-eyed Reddit user spotted the next-generation Moto 360 in the wild earlier this week. The photo was snapped in Chicago—presumably nearby Motorola’s headquarters. More recently, the next-generation Moto 360 was spotted again and photographed. Both the first version of Motorola’s smartwatch and its followup look similar. Both feature round displays, flat tire design, changeable wrist straps, and more. But there are two key differences the first-generation and second-generation Moto 360. The sleep-wake button has been moved from 3 to 2 o’clock and the added lugs give the watch a more traditional look near the straps.
As for the Samsung Gear S2, Samsung executive Dennis Miloseski took to Instagram to show off the new smartwatch. “Giving the new Samsung Gear S2 a test drive,” he wrote as the caption of the post. As most smartwatch fans will notice, Samsung is replacing the rectangle screen of the Samsung Gear with circular one. The Instagram post links out to a Samsung lookbook at the end of the caption offering up more glimpses of the new round wearable.
Moto 360 2 Vs Samsung Gear S2
Both of these unreleased smartwatches look similar in design, but Motorola 360 and Samsung Gear S2 will likely be much different for daily users. The most obvious difference is that the two will run different software: the new Moto 360 will likely run Android Wear while Samsung’s Gear S2 will run on Tizen, Samsung’s proprietary operating system. Depending on which you prefer, software alone could influence your future smartwatch purchase.
As for what’s on the inside, no one truly knows. Motorola and Samsung are keeping details quiet at the moment. Important metrics will include screen clarity in bright light, processor power, and battery life. The existing Motorola 360 has been lauded for its circular face, but it has lacked in performance. The 320mAh battery and 2011’s Texas Instruments OMAP3630 processor didn’t impress hardcore smartwatch users. Both companies are expected to present at IFA 2015 and many expect we’ll get firm details on new products. More will be revealed once the conference kicks off on September 4.
