Information about an updated version of the Moto 360 smartwatch (codenamed Smelt) continues to emerge ahead of an expected release sometime later this year. A leaked render posted on China’s social media site Weibo now gives us a glimpse at what it could look like.
Assuming that the image is legitimate, it shows a device very similar to the original Moto 360. The biggest difference appears to be the display itself. Still round, this new one uses the full circle rather than having a black bar on the bottom like the current model does. Best of all, Motorola appears to have solved the problem while retaining the thin bezels of its first smartwatch.
Giving credence to earlier rumours, the report adds that the display resolution has been increased to 360 by 360 pixels. No details were provided to confirm whether the Motorola Smelt will indeed come with Android 5.1 and a processor identified only as “armeabi-v7a.”
Another alleged image of the Motorola Smelt has suggested that Motorola is upping its game when it comes to customization. With the Moto 360 no longer the only round smartwatch in town, the company will need to find ways to distinguish its smartwatch from the competition and a fully round display alone will not be enough.
It’s unclear when Motorola will announce its Moto 360 successor. A rumour back in late 2014 has hinted at an “early 2015″ announcement but there has been little corroboration since then.