Motorola is back in the Wear OS game with the Moto Watch Ultra

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Android’s smartwatch options got a major new addition at IFA 2026, as Motorola has just launched the new Moto Watch Ultra. Built in partnership with Polar, the Moto Watch Ultra brings flagship-tier health tracking, robust cellular connectivity, and Google’s Wear OS to Motorola’s wearable lineup.

The Moto Watch Ultra represents a massive pivot for Motorola. The standard Moto Watch launched at CES earlier this year was a budget-oriented, basic watch that missed out on key features like Wear OS and standalone cellular connectivity, and it offered a modest 1ATM water resistance rating. On the other hand, the new Moto Watch Ultra is a proper smartwatch with an app store for third-party apps, and comes fully loaded with Wear OS 6, LTE eSIM support, and 5ATM underwater protection.

Under the hood, the Moto Watch Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 platform (launched in 2022), paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Its circular 46mm stainless steel case houses a bright 1.5-inch pOLED display that peaks at an impressive 2,700 nits of brightness, ensuring easy visibility outdoors. The Moto Watch Ultra also features Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and an IP68 dust-and-water rating, in addition to the aforementioned 5ATM underwater protection.

Software is where the shift becomes most apparent. Running Wear OS 6, the Ultra unlocks Google Play apps, Google Wallet payments via NFC, and Google Gemini. Crucially, it’s the first Moto wearable with LTE eSIM support and Motorola’s Qira AI assistant, which lets users ask natural questions synced across compatible Lenovo and Motorola devices.

The 550mAh battery on the Moto Watch Ultra provides up to two days of active use (with the Always-On Display off), and a quick 15-minute charge through its magnetic charging dock supplies up to 24 hours of active use.

Health-tracking features have also been improved, as the Moto Watch Ultra uses Polar’s science-backed algorithms to deliver in-depth wellness insights. This includes Nightly Recharge for recovery tracking, Sleep Plus Stages, Serene breathing exercises, and an on-wrist Running Coach for walking and pacing guidance.

The Moto Watch Ultra will go on sale on September 10 for $349.99, with Verizon carrier availability on September 24, and T-Mobile, AT&T, and other carriers receiving it in the coming months.