The smartwatch market is booming, offering a plethora of options for tracking fitness, staying connected, and simplifying your life. Today, we're pitting two very different contenders against each other: the budget-friendly Motorola Moto Watch 100 and the premium Apple Watch Series 8. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which one reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 is the clear winner for most users, offering superior performance, a richer feature set, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. However, the Moto Watch 100 provides a compelling entry point for those seeking basic smartwatch functionality at a significantly lower price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 17 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 10 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 42 x 46 x 11.9 mm (1.65 x 1.81 x 0.47 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 29 g (1.02 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | 5 ATM, 50m water resistant
Compatible with standard 20mm straps | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 360 x 360 pixels (~392 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.3 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S8 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | Moto Watch OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Unspecified storage | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| | - | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 355 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Silver, Phantom Black | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | - | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Motorola Moto Watch 100
- Affordable
- Long battery life (estimated)
- Simple and easy to use
- Basic fitness tracking
- Limited features
- Less powerful processor
- Basic display quality
- No advanced health sensors
Apple Watch Series 8
- Powerful performance
- Excellent display
- Advanced health tracking (ECG, blood oxygen)
- Seamless iOS integration
- Wide range of apps
- Expensive
- Shorter battery life
- Limited compatibility with Android
- Requires iPhone
Display Comparison
The Apple Watch Series 8 boasts a vibrant, always-on Retina display with excellent brightness and clarity. The Moto Watch 100 likely features a smaller, less vibrant LCD display, typical of its price range. Expect sharper visuals and better outdoor visibility on the Apple Watch.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a built-in camera. This is a common omission in smartwatches, relying instead on smartphone integration.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 8's S8 chip delivers significantly faster performance and smoother multitasking compared to the Moto Watch 100, which likely uses a less powerful processor. App loading times and overall responsiveness will be noticeably quicker on the Apple Watch.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers roughly 18 hours of battery life with typical use, and can charge to 80% in 45 minutes. The Moto Watch 100, due to its simpler features and likely less power-hungry components, is expected to offer significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting several days on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto Watch 100 is ideal for first-time smartwatch users, fitness enthusiasts on a budget, or those who prioritize affordability and simplicity. The Apple Watch Series 8 is best suited for iPhone users seeking a premium experience, advanced health tracking, and a wide range of apps and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Moto Watch 100 compatible with iPhones?
While it may connect via Bluetooth, the Moto Watch 100's functionality will be significantly limited when paired with an iPhone compared to the Apple Watch Series 8, which is designed for seamless iOS integration.
❓ Does the Apple Watch Series 8 offer ECG and blood oxygen monitoring?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 8 includes ECG and blood oxygen sensors, providing valuable insights into your heart health.
