With new hardware and software options that continue to get better and
better, there’s no time like now to buy a smartwatch. While iOS users
are pretty limited in what they could buy, Android users have too many choices to count. Not sure where to start looking? Let’s go over some of the best options…
The Galaxy Watch comes in two sizes, 46mm and 42mm, both with an OLED display and an “optimized” chipset that extends battery life. For the larger model, you can squeeze 6 days out of a single charge while the smaller model still offers up to 4 days. As you’d expect, the Watch also includes features like GPS, water resistance, and there’s NFC for Samsung Pay.
As for Tizen, this watch is based on version 4.0, and it packs some new health features as well as a handy “My Day” watchface that integrates with your calendar. Bixby has also replaced the aging (and somehow even more horrible) S-Voice. Corning’s new DX+ glass is also included for better durability and scratch resistance.
These new smartwatches build on a pretty familiar package. Both are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor and run on Wear OS. Both also get GPS, NFC for Google Pay, and heart rate sensors as well. The Venture is the smaller of the two, measuring in at 40mm with an 18mm band. The Explorist, on the other hand, is a 45mm watch with a 22mm band.
Pricing starts at $255 for the Q Venture HR and $275 for the Q Explorist HR. Several variants of each are available on Fossil’s online store.
The Michael Kors Runway is a pretty classic-looking design with pricing that starts at about $300. Like many other Wear OS devices, there’s a Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset under the hood, a 41mm “swimproof” casing, heart rate monitor, GPS, NFC for Google Pay, and a 1.2-inch display. A “day” of battery life is quoted. Three colorways are also available with silver, gold, and rose gold, all with various band options available.
The claim to fame on the Ticwatch Pro is battery life. The Pro offers up to 30 days of battery on a single charge. Of course, that all depends on how you use it. Mobvoi’s trick to improve battery life comes with the addition of a layered screen that acts as two displays. One is designed for use when the watch is idle, only showing crucial information such as the time to sip power. Under that is a standard OLED display that delivers the full Wear OS experience.
The Samsung Gear Sport has a 1.2-inch AMOLED display and runs on top of Samsung’s own Tizen OS with its latest update. Like on the Gear S3, you’ll get two tactile buttons along the side and a touchscreen, but the standout navigation feature here is that rotating bezel.
Samsung Galaxy Watch
Alongside the reveal of its Galaxy Note 9, Samsung recently debuted the Galaxy Watch. Like the Gear Sport and Gear S3 that came before it, this watch has a rotating bezel running on top of Tizen OS. It, of course, connects over Bluetooth, but also has LTE options available.The Galaxy Watch comes in two sizes, 46mm and 42mm, both with an OLED display and an “optimized” chipset that extends battery life. For the larger model, you can squeeze 6 days out of a single charge while the smaller model still offers up to 4 days. As you’d expect, the Watch also includes features like GPS, water resistance, and there’s NFC for Samsung Pay.
As for Tizen, this watch is based on version 4.0, and it packs some new health features as well as a handy “My Day” watchface that integrates with your calendar. Bixby has also replaced the aging (and somehow even more horrible) S-Voice. Corning’s new DX+ glass is also included for better durability and scratch resistance.
Fossil Q 4th Gen
Fossil is one of the biggest players in the Wear OS space, and the company offers a lot of different models. Currently, we’re on the fourth generation of Fossil’s lineup, and the Q Venture HR and Q Explorist HR deserve your full attention.These new smartwatches build on a pretty familiar package. Both are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor and run on Wear OS. Both also get GPS, NFC for Google Pay, and heart rate sensors as well. The Venture is the smaller of the two, measuring in at 40mm with an 18mm band. The Explorist, on the other hand, is a 45mm watch with a 22mm band.
Pricing starts at $255 for the Q Venture HR and $275 for the Q Explorist HR. Several variants of each are available on Fossil’s online store.
Michael Kors Runway
Style is one of the biggest benefits of buying a Wear OS watch, and Michael Kors is a well-known name for just that. Recently, the brand announced that its long-time Runway watch is launching as a Wear OS-powered smartwatch.The Michael Kors Runway is a pretty classic-looking design with pricing that starts at about $300. Like many other Wear OS devices, there’s a Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset under the hood, a 41mm “swimproof” casing, heart rate monitor, GPS, NFC for Google Pay, and a 1.2-inch display. A “day” of battery life is quoted. Three colorways are also available with silver, gold, and rose gold, all with various band options available.
Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro
Mobvoi may not be a household name, but the company’s Wear OS smartwatches have quickly become some of our favorites. Now, the Ticwatch Pro has hit the market, and it might be one of the most compelling options to date.The claim to fame on the Ticwatch Pro is battery life. The Pro offers up to 30 days of battery on a single charge. Of course, that all depends on how you use it. Mobvoi’s trick to improve battery life comes with the addition of a layered screen that acts as two displays. One is designed for use when the watch is idle, only showing crucial information such as the time to sip power. Under that is a standard OLED display that delivers the full Wear OS experience.
Samsung Gear Sport
Samsung is pretty good at wearables, but one of the biggest complaints about the Gear S3 is its size. Now, Samsung has an offering that fits everyone (literally). The Samsung Gear Sport takes the best of its older, larger brother and trims the fat for a sleek, fitness-first smartwatch.The Samsung Gear Sport has a 1.2-inch AMOLED display and runs on top of Samsung’s own Tizen OS with its latest update. Like on the Gear S3, you’ll get two tactile buttons along the side and a touchscreen, but the standout navigation feature here is that rotating bezel.
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