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Samsung teases round Gear S2 smartwatch (update: more pics)

Samsung has dropped a surprise at its Unpacked 2015 event by showing off a new Gear S2 smartwatch. The model appears to be a far cry from the original Gear S, however. Samsung has upped the style quotient considerably with a round watch face, metal body and new user interface. Given the naming convention (it lacks the "Galaxy" moniker that generally denotes Android), it likely runs on Samsung's Tizen OS rather than Android Wear, like the original Gear S.

Another clear sign that this is not an Android Wear device is the new UI design, which consists of a circle of apps arranged around the face. Samsung actually teased a round watch back in February, but that device did appear to be an Android Wear model. All we saw today was a quick glimpse of the hardware and watch face, but Samsung promised the Gear S2 would get a full reveal at IFA next month in Berlin.

Update: Samsung has just shown off two more pictures of the Gear S2 smartwatch (and the Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+) in a fashion "Lookbook." Shown in black and white colors, the metallic watch looks quite smart, at least when worn by impeccably coiffed and dressed fashion models. By presenting the device this way, Samsung is making a clear statement: "This is not a Gear S or Galaxy Gear 2; you can actually wear this in public." There's still room for Samsung and other companies to be way bolder with smartwatch design, but it's a good start.