Motorola Moto Watch 120: A Stylish and Affordable Smartwatch

Motorola is continuing to expand its presence in the smartwatch market with the Moto Watch 120. Following the initial Moto Watch release earlier in the year, the Moto Watch 120 aims to deliver a blend of style, functionality and affordability. Priced at $139.99, the Moto Watch 120 offers a compelling set of features for budget-conscious consumers.

Design and Comfort

The Moto Watch 120 boasts a premium design with an all-metal body and a 47mm case size. It’s available in Matte Black and Matte Silver finishes. The watch is designed for comfort, weighing just 35 grams and measuring 12mm thick. Included with the watch are both stainless steel and silicone strap options, with the silicone straps available in Pantone-validated colors like Volcanic Ash, Parachute Purple, and Herbal Green, as well as Mocha Mousse in a leather finish.

The right side of the watch features a crown and a button for navigation and control. The Moto Watch 120 is also IP68 water resistant, capable of being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, and carries a 1ATM certification for added durability.

Display

The Moto Watch 120 features a 1.43-inch AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The display offers vivid colors, crisp text, and an Always-On display function. While the screen is responsive, the auto-brightness feature is reported to be unreliable, potentially requiring manual adjustment for optimal visibility in outdoor conditions.

Software and Companion App

The Moto Watch 120 runs on Motorola’s proprietary platform, offering a user interface that resembles Wear OS in its fluidity and animations. Users can access notifications with a swipe up from the bottom of the screen and quick settings (brightness, sound mode, DND, sleep mode) with a swipe down.

The watch requires the Moto Watch application, currently only available on Android, for setup and customization. The app provides a clean interface with key information like battery percentage displayed on the homepage. Users can access watch faces, panels, apps, and health data (activity, sleep, heart rate, stress) through dedicated tabs.

Performance and Battery Life

Motorola partnered with Polar for health tracking features, including a Nightly Recharge Status feature that assesses autonomic nervous system (ANS) recovery during sleep. The watch offers over 100 sports modes and includes assisted GPS for route tracking, though some users have reported connectivity issues with the GPS feature.

The Moto Watch 120 includes sensors such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, PPG sensor, ambient light sensor, and e-compass. Battery life is a strong point, with the watch capable of lasting up to 10 days on a single charge, even with the Always-On display enabled. Charging from 0 to 100% takes approximately 90 minutes. Notably, the watch does not include a battery saving mode.

Key Features

• 1.43” AMOLED Display
• All Metal Body
• 10 Days Battery Life
• 100+ Sports Mode
• Assisted GPS Sport Tracking
• Background SpO2
• Automatic Sports Detection
• Smart Notifications
• Stress Tracking
• Breathing Exercise
• 80+ Custom Watch Faces
• Assistant & Gemini Access
• Advanced Sleep Tracking
• Hands Free Calling

Verdict

The Moto Watch 120 offers a compelling combination of style, features, and affordability. Its premium design, vibrant display, and long battery life make it a strong contender in the budget smartwatch segment. While the GPS functionality and tracking accuracy could be improved, the Moto Watch 120 is a solid choice for users seeking a stylish and functional smartwatch experience, particularly those prioritizing a watch-first experience.