Electronics biggie Samsung is expected to launch its second-generation version of its Galaxy Gear smartwatch at the forthcoming 2014 Mobile World Conference in Barcelona, Spain, next week.

The second-generation version of the Galaxy Gear smartwatch will actually be a pair of new smartwatches - the 'Gear 2' and the 'Gear 2 Neo.' The launch of the new pair marks an expansion of Samsung's wearable devices line within barely six months of the launch of the original Galaxy Gear smartwatch. For the new pair of smartwatches, Samsung has dropped the 'Galaxy' moniker.

The Tizen-powered Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo pair of smartwatches is lighter and thinner than the original Galaxy Gear smartwatch, though with similar dimensions. The Gear 2 smartwatch has a camera like its predecessor, but the camera is on the watch itself instead of the strap, as in the original Gear. However, Gear 2 Neo does not have a camera.

Both Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo boast some noteworthy upgrades over the original Galaxy Gear smartwatch. The new pair of smartwatches includes a heart-rate sensor and exercise modes; thereby making the device worthy of being categorized as fitness wearables.

In addition, each of the new Samsung smartwatches also has its own music player, which has the ability to output audio wirelessly to Bluetooth headsets. The watches also have an infrared emitter to facilitate their use as a basic remote control for the TV.