Motorola expands its series of mid-range smartwatches with an even more affordable option: the Moto Watch 40.
The new wearable is almost identical to last year's model, the Moto Watch 70, and features the same features. It comes equipped with multiple sensors to track your sleep patterns and heart rate. There's even a pedometer on board. As for heart rate monitoring, the Moto Watch 40 will track it 24 hours a day. This data is then taken to generate a graph that shows in detail how everyday activities affect your heart. The information can be viewed on the smartwatch screen or in the Moto Watch Lite app for Android and iOS. Speaking of software, the device can integrate with Google Fit, allowing you to send all your data to the platform and share it with other health-focused apps.
Like the older wearable, the Moto Watch 40 boasts a 10-day battery life, though its longevity may vary depending on how often you use it. Charging the device is incredibly fast, taking about 25 minutes to fill the battery. Other notable features include Smart Notifications to receive messages from your favorite app plus an IP67 resistance rating that ensures complete protection against dust and splashes of water.
The only major difference between this and the previous generation is the screen. It has a 1.57-inch rectangular LCD screen, while the Watch 70 has a 1.69-inch square screen. You can buy the Moto Watch 40 right now for $64.99 in Phantom Black or Rose Gold on Motorola's website.
Analysis: Battle of the Middle Ranks
The launch of this wearable comes at an interesting time because, very recently, information was leaked about Samsung's future mid-range smartwatch: the Galaxy Fit 3. According to Android Central, the device should house an impressive 1.6 AMOLED display. inches, an IP68 rated resistance, which means it can survive submerged underwater and has 13 days of battery life. It'll certainly give the Moto Watch 40 a run for its money, but we think Motorola's smartwatch has a solid chance of countering it.
For starters, the Galaxy Fit 3 is more expensive: $99 each. What's more, it seems that people really like cheap smart watches. As of this writing, the Moto Watch 70 is completely sold out on the company's online store and costs $80. Now we have an almost identical device at an even lower price. Perhaps the Watch 40 will become an unexpected hit with consumers. Unless, of course, the Galaxy Fit 3 goes all out by offering a premium package that's well worth its $100 price tag.
All that said, if you're in the market for a new wearable, check out TechRadar's list of best smart watches for 2024.
