Any expectations that Motorola would introduce a new Wear OS-based Moto 360 have diminished, as it shifts focus towards fitness analytics through Polar.
What you need to know
– Polar has disclosed that its health and fitness platform will be integrated into a “new generation of Motorola’s smartwatches,” with a fresh Moto Watch on the horizon.
– Recent Moto watches have partnered with another health brand, Vitalist, while Polar watches are recognized for their fitness assessments and data.
– The forthcoming Moto Watch will feature a 47mm round aluminum casing, IP68 and GG3 durability, along with a microphone & speaker for calls.
A new Moto Watch is on its way, and although it won’t be the revamped Moto 360 Wear OS device that many hoped for, it will incorporate innovative fitness software “powered by Polar,” a well-known and reputable fitness watch manufacturer.
Polar unveiled its new strategic, long-term collaboration with Motorola on Tuesday, assuring that upcoming Moto Watches will utilize Polar’s “extensive suite of science-based algorithms,” along with “fitness tracking and biomarker analysis.”
Motorola, which previously depended on former partner Vitalist/CE Brands for its health insights, will now provide the same fitness features available in premium Polar watches like the Vantage V3, “without the necessity for extensive internal development.”
“Our collaboration with Polar merges decades of expertise in fitness science with Motorola’s dedication to meaningful technology, enabling consumers to better comprehend their health, maintain connectivity, and live more confidently each day,” states Sergio Buniac, President of Motorola Mobility.
The press release suggests that a new Moto Watch is imminent; it might even be revealed during CES 2026. For the moment, we understand that it will boast a rounded 47mm casing — unlike recent squircle Moto Watches such as the Watch Fit — crafted from aluminum with a stainless steel crown, exhibiting IP68 dust and water resistance, Gorilla Glass 3, and incorporating a microphone & speaker.
Reasons for the Motorola-Polar collaboration instead of a Moto-Google alliance
By steering clear of Wear OS, Motorola excludes itself from certain features: Play Store applications, Gemini commands, and straightforward messaging options. However, there has been a gradual decline of Wear OS partners in past years, as other Android manufacturers like OnePlus and Xiaomi struggle to keep pace with Google and Samsung regarding updates.
Clearly, Motorola has concluded that it has more confidence in Polar than Google as a wearable partner and prefers to market an affordable, durable fitness watch over a more expensive model that would face competition from Galaxy and Pixel Watches.
Polar, a long-time competitor of Garmin that recently introduced a Whoop-like Polar Loop Band, generally offers high-end fitness watches intended for serious athletes. Moto will find itself in a unique position, selling budget fitness watches that provide disproportionately advanced health & fitness insights, helping Moto Watches to distinguish themselves.
In fact, considering that Polar watches have significantly increased in price in the U.S. due to tariffs, the new Moto Watch could offer a more accessible means to obtain these insights, rivaling budget running watches like the Garmin Forerunner 165 and COROS PACE 4.
If Moto Watches will utilize the Polar Flow app, new users may find the interface somewhat daunting or outdated, but Polar pledged last year that it is in the process of modernizing its app to be more “dynamic and data-oriented,” sharing the example screenshots above. This app redesign should benefit both Polar and Moto watches.
Overall, Moto watches “powered by Polar” appear promising, but the critical question will be whether Motorola phone purchasers will opt for a sporty, durable Moto Watch with limited Android capabilities, or if they would rather have a more ephemeral Moto 360 successor.
Meanwhile, Polar secures its first significant licensing partnership since Casio began incorporating Polar insights into its watches in 2023, marking a noteworthy achievement for the brand.
