The second-generation Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch finally came out last month and those who have had the opportunity to scrutinize the device say that the current model is a respectable upgrade from its predecessor model released last year.
Fortune actually describes the Motorola Moto 360 2nd Gen as faster, looks fantastic, and has more than enough battery life to get the user through the day. It is worth recommending indeed to a user looking for an Android Wear smartwatch in the market.
While the Android Wear was basically the realm of the Motorola Moto 360 when it was released last year, the second-generation now faces competition with Huawei, which has also released an Android Wear smartwatch that looks good, if not better than the Motorola Moto 360 2nd Gen. There is also the LG Urbane smartwatch which looks svelte as well.
The current model of the Motorola Moto 360 also comes with improved design and comes in three different sizes – two for men, and one for women.
The Motorola Moto 360 2nd Gen is building on the success of its predecessor as one of the first Android Wear-powered smartwatches to hit the market. Its previous model drew the attention of smartwatch users because of its circular design, chamfered edges, and high-quality leather bands that the current model also took in.
However, the Motorola Moto 360 released last year suffered from poor battery life and for its size, that some critics say, is just a little too big for its own good and purpose. Those drawbacks are what the Motorola Moto 360 2nd Gen has addressed making it the phone that both smartwatch users and critics would sure to like and appreciate.
Compared to the Apple Watch, the Motorola Moto 360 2nd Generation is also very easy on the pocket as it is being retailed starting at $299. Although those who would like to customize their smartwatch via the Motorola Moto Maker website, they can actually get a fully customized gold version of the Motorola Moto 360 2nd Generation for as high as $450.
Fixing the issues of the first Moto 360
While the first generation Motorola Moto 360 is regarded as one of the best during the first wave of Android Wear watches released last year, it had some major issues with the poor battery life as the biggest.
The other three major issues are the ambient display of the smartwatch which was not always on display, it was just too big on men’s wrists and looked ridiculously oversized for most women, and it’s display was not completely round because it has a cut-off point at the bottom which was later referred to by users as the flat tire, details Gizmag.
Everything else has been fixed by Motorola on the 2nd Generation Moto 360 with the exception of the flat tire issue.
Given its current size, the Motorola Moto 360 2nd Generation is still much more a men’s watch than it is as a unisex watch.
Amid its IPS display, the new Moto 360 has a good battery life even with its always-on clock setting turned on.
No dramatic change in design
Other than the new smaller options, there has not been a dramatic change in the design of the Motorola Moto 360 2nd Generation from its predecessor model. But the new Moto 360 is lighter compared to its predecessor variant.
With its $299 price tag, the only major competition that the new Motorola Moto 360 has in the market today, price-wise that is, is the Huawei Watch, pegged at $349.
However, both smartwatches really look good and have identical software and apps too. So those who are a bit conscious of the budget may favor getting the Motorola Moto 360 2nd Generation. Many critics believe, however, that the Huawei Watch looks better overall to the new Motorola Moto 360.