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Motorola's new smartwatch keeps things simple, but power users may want more

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Moto Watch ZDNET's key takeaways The Moto Watch is currently on sale for $150.

It's a durable, comfortable fitness tracker with nearly 100 workout modes and long-lasting battery life.

Its lack of third-party app support and basic feature set may leave power users wanting more. View now at Motorola View now at Amazon more buying choices

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Last year, Motorola re-entered the smartwatch market after a long hiatus with the Moto Watch Fit. I didn't get a chance to review it personally, but the overall response from critics and users online was largely positive. For 2026, the company followed up with a brand-new wearable simply called the Moto Watch.

Also: The best cheap smartwatches of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

I've spent the past few weeks testing it, and I genuinely enjoyed my time with the smartwatch. It nails the basics down and is very easy to use. Still, as much fun as I had, I couldn't shake off the bigger question: Is this enough to put Motorola at the top of the smartwatch market? To be totally honest, I don't know. The Moto Watch is a solid wearable, but certain limitations may leave users a little disappointed.

Comfort meets durability

The design is one of my favorite aspects. The Moto Watch has a circular chassis with slightly thick bezels around the glass. These flourishes reminded me a lot of Samsung's Galaxy Watch 8, although Motorola's watch is larger, measuring 47 x 47 x 12mm (1.8 x 1.8 x 0.4 inches) and weighing 40 grams. For comparison, the Galaxy Watch 8 measures 42.7 x 40.4 x 8.6mm and weighs 30 grams.

At a glance, that extra heft sounds like it would make the Moto Watch cumbersome, but it really doesn't. It's actually quite comfortable to wear. I was able to jog, lift weights, and even sleep without feeling inconvenienced.

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