Motorola’s announcements today include more than just phones. However, while the new Razr foldables invoke nostalgia, the latest smartwatch and earphones elicit a strong sense of déjà vu. The new Moto Watch Fit and Moto Buds Loop feel like Motorola-flavored clones of the Apple Watch and Bose Ultra Open. Surprisingly, the placard near the Buds Loop demo models conveniently reads “Sound by Bose.”
I mean, just compare the Moto Watch Fit to my Apple Watch Series 10. Motorola isn’t the first smartwatch maker to replicate Apple’s design language — check Samsung’s 2024 Galaxy Watch series — but it’s lacklustre when compared to the original Moto 360. With its beautiful circular design, it was a notable wristwatch in the early days of Android Wear. This new Moto Watch Fit is officially the first Motorola-made smartwatch in nearly a decade (the disappointing 2019 Moto 360 was manufactured by a strange business named eBuyNow), but Motorola’s DNA is hard to find here.
On paper, there is nothing wrong with the Moto Watch Fit. It is just a little boring. It includes all of the components of a basic fitness tracker. There is a 1.9-inch OLED display with 1,000 nits of brightness and Corning Gorilla Glass 3. It boasts swappable 22mm bands and a modular lug system that looks and performs similarly to Apple’s. You may monitor your heart rate, calorie intake, sleep, steps, and blood oxygen levels. The prototype model I saw even included rings that could be closed. There is built-in GPS and more than 100 activity kinds. IP68 and 5ATM ratings ensure water and dust resistance. Safe for dishwashing, showering, and extended dips in the pool. You get a sleek green nylon strap that resembles and feels like Apple’s Sport Loop.
The biggest distinctions I see are that this is an Android-only watch, does not run Wear OS, and has a lot of bezels. This, like Amazfit’s affordable devices and the original OnePlus Watch, is powered by a proprietary real-time OS. That presumably means no third-party app options, but on the plus side, you get an excellent battery life. In this situation, it is projected that a single charge will last 16 days.
The Moto Buds Loop are a little more exciting, but I am a magpie, and it could simply be the Swarovski crystals talking. These, like the Bose Ultra Open, are not inserted into your ear. They hug the side of your ear, much like a conch piercing. Open-ear buds are popular right now, and the whole point is that you get to wear a piece of “techno jewellery” that allows you to listen to audio, accept calls, keep aware of your surroundings, and look nice while doing so.
The Buds Loop comes in two colours: “regular” deep green and beige champagne-like with the aforementioned Swarovski crystals. Both felt light in the ear, however, I was unable to test the sound because Motorola had not paired any of the demo devices for others to use. (Motorola claims in its press release that customers will be “pleasantly surprised” by the sound quality, and in its keynote, it emphasises its collaboration with Bose. Take whatever you want from that.)
Despite the shine, the materials do not feel as high-end as Bose’s buds. The central section is comprised of a flexible silicone-like substance, with no hinge. This is to ensure that they can withstand rain and sweat, albeit it has an unusual impact on the Swarovski version. It’s like putting crystals into rubber. Maybe I’m an overly cautious city girl, but who wants to go for runs or solo walks when blinged-out?
Motorola did not go into great detail about its specifications. There are four microphones, 12mm drivers, spatial audio, and a case charge time of approximately 60 minutes. You can play for up to eight hours on a single charge, with the case offering up to 37 hours of battery life. There is AI-powered noise reduction for calls, and when coupled with a Motorola phone, you can use it to activate the Moto AI assistant. Otherwise, they are standard Bluetooth headphones. Unless you also happen to own Lenovo products. Then, you can use the Smart Connect function to switch between Motorola and Lenovo devices more easily.
According to Motorola’s launch presentation, which featured several partners such as Swarovski, Pantone, Bose, Lenovo, and, for some reason, FIFA, the business is focussing heavily on design to differentiate itself from the competition. That is evident in their use of strong colours for Razr phones, a uniform deep green for accessories, and, once again, Swarovski dazzle. However, after some time with these gadgets, it only gets you so far. I surprisingly enjoyed how the blinged-out buds looked in my ear. It was pleasantly amusing that the watch and ordinary buds coincidentally matched my clothing. However, when it comes to spending my hard-earned money, I prefer to invest in high-quality or creative products, many of which also feature slick hardware and designs.
The unknown component in all of this is the price. I simply can’t tell you how much the buds or the watch will cost in North America since Motorola refused to give us that information. I can only tell that the buds will be available in “select countries” this summer, and the watch will be available in the coming weeks. Motorola claims pricing will be announced closer to shipment. Motorola declined to comment when asked if this was due to the uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s tariffs. Having said that, we do provide UK prices. The normal Moto Buds Loop will cost £129.99, while the Swarovski version will be £249.99. The Moto Watch Fit will cost £89.99.
