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Apple Watch vs Moto 360: which smart watch will you sport this Diwali?

Apple Watch, Moto 360

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Sonal Desai
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BENGALURU, INDIA: Apple's first-ever smart watch has been a long time in coming, whereas its immediate rival Google has already entered the arena of smart wearable industry.

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As far as Google is concerned, thanks to its partnerships with a host of hard hitters in the industry, there are number of smart watches featuring Android. And the more impressive among them has to be the previously released Moto 360, from Motorola.

To be factually correct, this isn't the first instance of a smart wearable device being pushed into the consumer market. We have already seen the likes of Google Glass come and go.

However, the deal is refreshingly different with a smart watch, expanding the boundaries of technology and being able to do almost anything that you can with a smart phone-only that you need not flick it out of your pockets each time a notification is received, but rather consult your wrist.

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So with the Apple Watch, fitted with WatchOS 2, now among us, albeit with the expected hefty price tag, is this the perfect time to finally invest on a smart watch that you have planning for so long? Or would you rather go for an Android-branded option like the 360 that would be easy on your pay-check?

Let us explore the possibilities.

Display: Looks aren't everything, or so they say. No matter how technologically sound you are, if it isn't looking good on you, chances are you will fall out of love with it sooner than you think.

From a purely specifications point of view, there won't be much to differentiate if you consider the dimensions. Where the Apple Watch offers two dimensions of 1.5-inch (38 mm) and 1.65-inch (42 mm), the Moto 360 offers 1.56-inch.

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However, that being said, there should be considerable difference if you consider the screens for both the devices, with Apple's smart wearable somewhat better of the two.

Whereas the Moto wearable offers an impressive LCD screen for users, Apple has been graced with flexible Retina Display. To add more to it, the Apple Watch screen comes laminated with a crystal layer, decked with scratch-resistant sapphire.

Verdict: On an overall, there's a feeling that a round dial beats a square one, in terms of looks. After all, it is indeed 2015. But Apple has its own way of chalking out popularity from each of its products, and we shall find out soon if the same can be applicable for the Apple Watch.

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Build: Even though there's a significant difference in the price tags of the aforementioned wearables, it's safe to say that none of them look plastic, with both offering premium metal cases that house the components.

If you want to consider the Moto 360 in this regard, know that the wearable offers quite stylish steel frame, and is an exquisite upgrade from the plastic that's found in the likes of LG G Watch.

For Apple Watch, however, the Cupertino-based tech giant has seriously left no stone unturned, and offers a polished or jet black stainless steel casing that adds to the overall charm of the technology that's been fitted inside.

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On top of that, the Apple Watch Sport, another premium rendition of the wearable, offers (anodized) aluminium casing, available in silver or space grey.

Lastly, yet another rendition of the Watch, is the Apple Watch Edition version which is truly a class apart, scoring points with an 18-karat gold casing, available in rose or yellow variants.

Plus, the Apple Watch comes in two sizes, ensuring perfect fit irrespective of the fact that you have a big or a small wrist size.

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Verdict: In this regard, compared to the Android side of things, it's safe to say that Apple has added the fine element of choice for its fans, offering the Watch in a host of versions. And where there is choice, there's automatic enthusiasm guaranteed.

Watch Face: One complaint several wearable enthusiasts have had for Android is the lack of watch faces or watch face options. And unsurprisingly enough, the Moto 360 isn't any different.

The Android-based wearable from Motorola, to be fair, comes with as many as six (pre-loaded) watch faces, although none of them can be overtly customized.

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Sure, over the months a lot of work has put into offering dedicated watch faces for the Moto wearable, but they still leave a lot to be desired if you looking for more intricate options.

Yes you can find several third party watches faces for the same on Google Play, but then again, they are still quite difficult to come by. Chances are you will end up finding none that will suit your choice.

While Google finds a way to redeem itself in that aspect, Apple had already previewed more than 10 unique watch faces, all of which can be easily altered as per your liking.

So for the Watch, not only is Apple offering an impressive catalog of watch faces, but it's also adding the option to tweak them almost any way you want - the possibilities are endless.

Verdict: Even though some will argue that watch faces are comparatively less important than the technology itself, yet these are still small instances that maintain a sort of refreshed outlook on the device that you are supposed to wear day-in day-out. And the option to tweak watch faces is just the icing on the cake.

Watch Straps: Talking about tweaking your smart watch, Apple has made the straps (or bands) of the wearable swappable, offering as many as six watch straps materials to choose from, available in a plethora of colors. There are 13 different color shades to choose from, in that respect.

Moreover, these bands are made of materials such as fluoroelastomer, leather and even stainless steel. There are also leather loops available that are fitted with magnets that will ensure quick fastening.

For Android powered wearables, like the Moto 360, however, this is still an uncharted territory that needs more consideration going forward.

Verdict: As mentioned before, in this day and age, even if you own the most advanced piece of technology around, it could still be a major deal breaker if you can't match it up with your overall get-up. Swappable straps are just Apple's way of saying suit it however you like.

Compatibility: This is an area where the Android powered wearable will gain better scores, compared to the Apple one. Whereas the Moto 360 is compatible with almost all the Android smart phones, Apple's Watch is only compatible with other Apple smart phones likes the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, iPhone 5, 5S and 5C.

Verdict: The advantage an Android-branded smart watch has over its Apple counterpart is the support factor. As of now, none of the Apple Watch variants can be made compatible with any Android device, and we hardly believe it will in the future.

Pricing: The Apple Watch has been priced quite highly, at Rs 30,900 for the 1.5-inch and Rs 34,900 for the 1.65-inch versions. The price goes up to Rs 48,900 and Rs 52,900 for the 1.5-inch and 1.65-inch respectively.

For those who are willing to shell out more, the price of the Watch goes up to Rs 95,900 with the stainless steel Link Bracelet, while Rs 60,900 for the Classic Buckle leather strap option.

Lastly, the Apple Watch Edition will command more jaw dropping tags that start at Rs 8.2 lakh for the 1.5 inches model, while same watch's 1.65 inches version at Rs 9.9 lakh.

The most expensive one in the series has been priced at a Rs 14.2 lakh.

The Moto 360, on the other hand, is currently available via several online retailers like Flipkart at a price of Rs 13,999.

Conclusion: While Apple's Watch looks more impressive in comparison, judging by everything it has to offer, its hefty price tag could still put off a lot of probable users looking to own one.

For a more pocket friendly option, it goes without saying that Moto 360 will indeed emerge as the choice of wearable among most. Mostly since you can buy any Android handset and connect it to the wearable.

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