I just went hands-on with Motorola's first LTE smartwatch — and Google and Samsung should be worried

Motorola's debut LTE smartwatch at IFA 2026 stirred up excitement with its impressive features and specs. Dubbed the Moto Watch Ultra, this new wearably offers support for Gemini AI, detailed sleep insights, and a brushed stainless steel case. Upon first-hand experience with the device, the writer was pleasantly surprised by its offerings.

The Moto Watch Ultra is set to debut in European markets for around 429 euros, potentially making its way to the U.S. with a price tag of about $499. Although pricier than other flagship smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 11 and Google Pixel Watch 5, it is more affordable compared to rugged models such as the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.

The Moto Watch Ultra sports a premium design with a brushed stainless steel case and a 1.5-inch OLED touchscreen. Max screen brightness reaches 2,700 nits, while the 46mm, 12.1mm thick case weighs in at 51 g, making it heavier than most full-featured flagships. Connectivity is enhanced by the LTE antenna, enabling on-the-go usage without the need for a paired smartphone. The smartwatch also features built-in microphone and speaker for on-wrist calls.

When it comes to health and fitness tracking, Motorola collaborated with the Finnish smartwatch maker Polar. The Moto Watch Ultra tracks sleep quality, workouts, productivity, and energy levels, while also offering a personalized running coach to help users train for events like marathons. In terms of battery life, Motorola remains a bit vague, stating that the Moto Watch Ultra should last up to 48 hours without the always-on display mode.

A 15-minute charge is said to provide 24 hours of usage, suggesting a full recharge takes only 30 minutes. Despite its higher cost, the Moto Watch Ultra boasts a more premium design than its competitors, potentially appealing to users who are between flagship models or prefer a less rugged option.