Why trust GreenbotIf you’re looking for a smartwatch that delivers a “next-generation” experience, the 2nd generation Moto 360 isn’t it. In fact, none of the Android ar watches really move the platform forward in a significant way—perhaps because is largely in the driver’s seat for software development.
But if you want a smartwatch that delivers a great experience for everything Android ar can do, this is the one. Numerous hardware refinements a year of software development have made the new Moto 360 everything the first one should have been.
Fixing what was broken
The Moto 360 launched to a host of problems. Software glitches. rformance stutters. Horrid battery life. A few major software patches fixed most of those issues, so much so that we eventually found it to be one of the best ar watches around. Still, the watch was too big, it didn’t last long enough on a single charge. Over time, its simple design was surpassed by fancier Android ar watches. And its heart rate sensor step counter never worked all that well.
st about the only thing Motorola didn’t fix is the “flat tire” display, which isn’t as annoying as you’d think.
This year’s model is a whole other story. Dumping the old TI processor for a Snapdragon 400, the 2nd gen Moto 360 is certainly snappier. Swipes scrolls are fast, animations are smooth. Best of all, the battery lasts much longer. In my everyday use with the smaller 42mm model, I would put the watch on at about 8:00am take it off around 10:00pm with a good 40% charge remaining. That’s with ambient mode turned on. (The 46mm version should last a little longer.) If I spent more time in the sun the brighter screen would sap that, it does get bright enough to easily see in sunlight, but I think you’ll easily be able to go through a long day without running out of juice.
The heart rate sensor was hit–miss on the old Moto 360. The new one is much more reliable.
Even the Moto Body step-counting heart rate monitoring works well now. I never failed to get a heartrate reading when I asked for one, while the old Moto 360 ( many other Android ar watches) would fail nearly half the time, have often given me wildly inaccurate readings.
Refined, highly customizable design
The new Moto 360 comes in two sizes: 46mm 42mm. The 46mm is the same size as the old one, while the 42mm is a much better fit for those of us with thin wrists. Now that the b attaches to lugs instead of directly to the case, it looks less like a “tech gadget” more like a watch. There’s even a ladies’ model which takes the 42mm body uses slimmer lugs for a more feminine look.
The bs are easier to swap out, thanks to traditional lugs on the body, quick-release levers on the bs.
Generally speaking, the watch looks a lot better, but it’s the high degree of customization that really makes it st out.
On the Motorola site you can choose from one of those three sizes, in three colors: black, silver, or gold. (men get rose gold instead of black.) Then you can pick whether you want the front bezel to be chamfered or to have a crosshatch “micro knurl” pattern, you can pick any of the three colors for the bezel, independent of the case color. There are two leather bs three metal link bs to choose from. And finally, you can pick a custom watch face to show at startup (though you’ll probably browse around pick a new one anyway).
l this customization isn’t free. The 42mm ladies’ model starts at $299, while the larger 46mm version (with higher-res display bigger battery) is $50 more. The gold case, knurled bezel, metal bs can drive the price up to $449 at the high end. Still, the prices are reasonable for what you get.
Still a Moto 360, only better
The 2nd generation Moto 360 isn’t a breakthrough device. Yes, the little “flat tire” cutout is still there at the bottom of the display, hiding the display electronics so the rest of the pixels can go all the way to the edge of the bezel. Yes, it still requires its little wireless charging st. Over time, you’ll come to appreciate it—taking off your watch resting it on the st is easier than snapping charge cables to the back, even magnetic ones Yes, this watch is still just stard Android ar with a few extra watch faces Moto Body fitness tracking.
But a year of refinements has been incredibly kind to Motorola’s smartwatch. has dramatically improved the Android ar OS, Motorola its own software. The hardware looks more refined but still not too “bling-y”, it’s far more customizable, the smaller sizes are just what men with slim wrists like me, especially women, have been asking for.
en it comes to Android ar watches, you’re not going to find one much better than this for awhile. It’s not that the new Moto 360 has any one stout feature that is wholly unique, it’s that it does everything well. The display quality, performance, battery life, design, customizable options…it’s all there. This is about as well-honed as this generation of technology is likely to get.
