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Samsung comes full circle with latest smartwatch

Samsung has unveiled its latest generation smartwatch at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin.

For the Samsung Gear S2, the South Korean technology giant had ditched the curved rectangular form of its predecessor in favour of a more recognisable round watch case.

The new case shape is also at the centre of an entirely new user interface concept, a circular menu of icons on its proprietary Tizen operating system that are navigated using the watch’s rotating bezel. Back and Home buttons are also present at the two and four o’clock positions.

The watch, which will be available in Bluetooth-only and 3G-connected versions, also features an NFC chip and is compatible with the newly introduced Samsung Pay contactless payment service.

Samsung claims the Gear S2 will last between two or three days on a single charge. To help achieve this the screen dims when not being used, replacing the plethora of dial designs – which range from classic to ultra modern – with a simple line representation of the time.

The Gear S2 will be offered in dark grey and silver colourways when it launches in October and will be available with a number of different strap options. Samsung has also commissioned Italian designer Alessandro Mendini to develop a number of dial and strap options.

James Buttery

Editor of WatchPro, the WatchPro Hot 100 and The Luxury Report.

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