Not round watchface

That is by design.

Yes, but what are the purpose of the design?

They are only making the screen smaller.

The bottom of a line of charactors is straight, so not sure what you'd gain from having a rounded bit underneath?
Quite possibly needs strength under there for where the strap attaches.
I genuinly hadn't given it a 2nd thought.

Well, since you can download and use different watchfaces I think it would be good if the watchface was round.

Ok, not a big deal but still.

I have always wondered the same thing. As a CIQ developer I feel it is a bit of wasted space.
But it does not stop me from developing or wearing my semi-round watches. :D

It could also have to do with the 630 and to make room for the menu button on the face. If the 630 was semi-round, and nothing else was, it would be a "special" as far as connect IQ. This way the same screen is used for the 23x, 630, and 735 (all really the same family/generation), allowing the same layout for 4 watches, and not a "special" for the 630. (and I'm sure this also goes with the HW and FW too)

It could also have to do with the 630 and to make room for the menu button on the face. If the 630 was semi-round, and nothing else was, it would be a "special" as far as connect IQ. This way the same screen is used for the 23x, 630, and 735 (all really the same family/generation), allowing the same layout for 4 watches, and not a "special" for the 630. (and I'm sure this also goes with the HW and FW too)

Yes, thats sound very likely.

Probably the reason.

The Garmin Fenix 3 (which is the one I have) does have a perfect round watchface.

The reason I asked about the 235 is because I'm thinking about it for my girlfriend.