Updated
Updated · Engadget · Aug 11
Engadget Pans $150 Moto Watch, Calling 47mm Wearable a Fake Wear OS Device
Updated
Updated · Engadget · Aug 11

Engadget Pans $150 Moto Watch, Calling 47mm Wearable a Fake Wear OS Device

1 articles · Updated · Engadget · Aug 11

Summary

  • $150 Moto Watch (2026) looks premium but delivers a poor experience, with Engadget calling it deceptive and low-quality despite its hefty 47mm design.
  • Real Time OS—not Google's Wear OS—drives most of the problems: setup required repeated restarts, animations stuttered, and the watch lacks third-party apps, Google services and mobile payments.
  • Motorola also would not clarify who made the device, even as CE Brands remains listed on the Moto Watch site as the official licensee tied to earlier Motorola-branded watches.
  • Health features backed by Polar still missed basics such as automatic workout detection, while dual-band GPS sometimes failed to lock outdoors; battery life was the standout, lasting 8 days with always-on display.

Insights

Behind the premium aluminum shell, is Motorola's licensed smartwatch actually just a cheap fitness tracker in disguise?
With an upcoming Ultra model leaked, will Motorola finally abandon its flawed software or repeat the same frustrating mistakes?