Back in 2014, Google had three big tech companies in its corner to support the Android Wear launch from a hardware standpoint. Fast forward five years, and even though global smartwatch sales are putting smartphones to shame with their incredible growth pace, the rebranded Wear OS platform is not doing very well.
The aptly titled third-generation Moto 360 follows in the footsteps of 2014 and 2015 editions, but although it uses Motorola's name for advertising purposes, the surprising new gadget is reportedly manufactured by someone else. Specifically, a little-known company called eBuyNow. If that makes you reluctant about this whole thing, you might want to remember HMD Global was also a complete unknown when it started selling Nokia-branded handsets.
Of course, just because that particular licensing deal worked out rather nicely for the mobile industry, it doesn't mean this will also be successful, bringing the Moto brand back into the spotlight of a now-thriving smartwatch market. At first glance, the resurrected Moto 360 looks like it could appeal to both nostalgic users of its forerunners and people interested in buying a modern wearable device with a reasonably elegant design and robust list of features.
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Said list of features includes everything from a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor to a sharp 1.2-inch AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass 3 protection and always-on functionality, as well as 8GB storage, 1GB memory, a built-in heart rate monitor, Google Pay support, GPS, Google Assistant interaction, and an "all-day" 355mAh battery capable of charging from 0 to 100 percent capacity in around 60 minutes.
On the outside, the third-gen Moto 360 looks fairly similar to its 2015 predecessor, minus the infamous "flat tire", rocking a premium stainless steel build, a rotating crown, customizable "action button", and three color options (steel grey, rose gold, and phantom black), each of which will come with both a leather and silicone strap in the box.
Unfortunately, the $350 recommended price point pits this bad boy pretty much directly against the $399 and up Apple Watch Series 5, which is not a very comfortable position for a Wear OS device. Especially one built by an obscure tech outfit, and especially when the Fossil Gen 5 lineup starts at $295 with extremely similar features in tow.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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