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

(Image credit: Anthony Spadafora/Tom's Guide) One of the biggest surprises out of IFA 2026 in Berlin, from a wearable tech perspective, is the debut of Motorola’s first LTE smartwatch. The new Moto Watch Ultra boasts some darn impressive features and specs, like support for Gemini AI, detailed sleep insights, and a brushed stainless steel case, but can it really compete with the best smartwatches out there?I got my first look at the new Motorola Moto Watch Ultra at IFA 2026 and was pleasantly surprised by all that it offers. So, should Google and Samsung be worried? Maybe! Here’s everything you need to know about the Moto Watch Ultra.Moto Watch Ultra: price and availability (Image credit: Anthony Spadafora/Tom's Guide)The Moto Watch Ultra will initially debut in European markets for around 429 euros. According to Motorola, it should hit store shelves within the next few weeks.In Uncle Sam's house, the Moto Watch Ultra will be available starting on September 10th for $349 via Motorola and Amazon. That makes it a better value than other flagship smartwatches, like the Google Pixel Watch 5 (from $399), Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 (from $379), and Apple Watch Series 11 (from $399).Moto Watch Ultra: design (Image credit: Anthony Spadafora/Tom's Guide)With such a high launch price, you might assume the Moto Watch Ultra features a premium design, and you’d be correct. The case is made from brushed stainless steel paired with a 1.5-inch OLED touchscreen. Max screen brightness is 2,700 nits, a little behind the Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 9 (3,000 nits) but ahead of the Apple Watch 11 (2,000 nits).Two physical controls adorn one side of the case, including a standard button and a digital crown that doubles as a button.The 46mm case is on the chunkier side and is noticeably thicker (12.1mm) than many of the best smartwatches I've tested. Weighing in at 51 g, it's also heavier than most full-featured flagships but lighter than rugged models like the Apple Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Moto Watch Ultra: OS and connectivity (Image credit: Motorola)The Moto Watch Ultra runs on Google’s excellent/refined Wear OS platform, which also means support for useful apps like Google Wallet and Google Translate, as well as Gemini AI features. The smartwatch ships running Wear OS 6, and Motorola promises support for up to two future OS updates.An LTE antenna unlocks on-the-go connectivity without a paired smartphone, though you’ll need a data plan to make use of it. The Moto Watch Ultra also boasts an onboard microphone and speaker for taking on-wrist calls.Moto Watch Ultra: Health and fitness tracking (Image credit: Anthony Spadafora/Tom's Guide)For health and fitness tracking, Motorola has partnered with the Finnish smartwatch maker Polar. Like most modern smartwatches, the Moto Watch Ultra logs your sleep quality, including sleep stages, workouts, productivity, and energy levels.Dual-band GPS ensures accurate tracking when logging outdoor activities, without the need to carry a paired smartphone. It also features a personalized running coach to help you train for events like marathons.Moto Watch Ultra: Battery life (Image credit: Motorola)Motorola is a bit vague about battery life, saying only that the Moto Watch Ultra should last up to two days when not using the always-on display mode. The brand also mentioned that a 15-minute charge should provide enough power for 24 hours of use. This seemingly suggests a full recharge takes only 30 minutes (but I will confirm).48 hours of battery life without the always-on display puts the Moto Watch Ultra a little ahead of the Apple Watch 11, which lasts roughly 38 hours per charge sans always-on. The Pixel Watch 5, meanwhile, lasts for 72 hours or more without the always-on screen function.Moto Watch Ultra: Outlook (Image credit: Motorola)I’m always excited to see a new full-featured smartwatch come to market that doesn’t have Apple, Pixel, or Galaxy in its name.The Moto Watch Ultra is a bit pricier than its closest competitors, namely the Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 9, but it also boasts a slightly more premium design. Motorola was wise to again partner with Polar for all things fitness and holistic; the brand is a trusted player in the space. Similarly, Google’s Wear OS platform ensures a smooth, bug-free user experience.Ultimately, if the Moto Watch Ultra proves as capable as the best smartwatches for Android, then it just might be the perfect option for folks who are between flagship models like the Pixel Watch 5 and pricier, more-rugged models like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.What are your thoughts on the new Moto Watch Ultra LTE smartwatch? Would you consider swapping out your Pixel Watch or Galaxy Watch for it? Are there any important features it’s missing? Let me know in the comments below. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Alternatively, you can read our content on the Tom's Guide app available now for iOS and Android. More from Tom's GuideForget Whoop — 3 major differences between the subscription-free Luna Band and Garmin CirqaI just went hands-on with the new Circular Ring 3 — and it beats the Oura Ring 5 in 3 big waysI hiked 7 miles with the Garmin Instinct 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 — and the winner is clear as day Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others. An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.