Samsung teases new Gear smartwatch with round display

Samsung's next Gear will be very different. Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s next Gear will be very different. Photo: Samsung

After launching its best smartphones to date in the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, Samsung is looking to continue its image overhaul with a brand new smartwatch.

A new smartwatch SDK the South Korean company will be rolling out soon was teased with a fancy image that all but confirms rumors its next wearable will have a round display.

“We are collaborating with our global partners to provide a better Samsung Gear experience for users,” the teaser reads. “We welcome more developers to join us on this journey.”

Samsung’s new Gear is expected to come with an overhauled design that will help it better compete with rival watches from the likes of Motorola, LG, and of course, Apple. Unlike previous Gear devices, it’s expected to be made of metal, with a more traditional round display.

This change would explain the need to release an SDK ahead of the watch’s official unveiling; Samsung will want developers to build new apps and adapt existing ones for the round display so that it can showcase them alongside the device.

In addition to a round screen, the teaser hints at a weather-themed watch face with an hourly forecast. The second half of the image, which you can see below, also shows some round apps from partners like CNN, Yelp, Baidu, and FidMe.

Photo: Samsung

Photo: Samsung

The link for the SDK within Samsung’s press release doesn’t appear to be working yet, but it should be live soon. Hopefully Samsung won’t keep us waiting too long before announcing the new Gear, either.