Best Android smartwatches in 2023

SaveSavedRemoved 0
Deal Score0
Deal Score0

The excitement surrounding Wear OS is at an all-time high. Samsung has been leading the charge in the newest wave of notable Android wearables with its Galaxy Watch series; its new Watch 6 series are the first watches to run Wear OS 4 out of the box. Another excellent choice is the Google Pixel Watch. With the most recent Wear OS 3.5, Mobvoi also debuted its first watch. Fossil watches, for example, are eligible for updates to the slightly earlier Wear OS 3.2. Being in the market for a smartwatch right now is enjoyable.

There are several fantastic smartwatches and fitness trackers available that are compatible with your fantastic Android phones. Here are our top seven selections for Wear OS right now to help you make a decision.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

The Wear OS hill’s ruler

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

The greatest Wear OS watch available right now is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. It has the most recent version of Wear OS 4, higher battery life than the industry average, excellent performance with Samsung’s brand-new Exynos W930 CPU, and a brilliant, colorful screen. One long-standing feature of Samsung wearables that we missed in the Watch 5 series is the bezel’s ability to swivel in order to scroll and explore menus.

Positive
  • Great display
  • Better battery life than the last generation
  • Wear OS 4 in tow
  • Rotating bezel!
Negatives
  • $100 upcharge for that clicky rotating bezel
  • Limited improvements from last gen

Our current favorite Wear OS watch is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The tried-and-true Wear OS platform from Samsung has undergone yet another modest generational makeover, but this one is the best yet because to its thinner design, larger displays, marginally faster performance, and longer battery life than the Galaxy Watch 5. Additionally, it reinstates Samsung’s distinctive spinning bezel for menu navigation, which was absent from the Watch 5 series but was nonetheless a greatly missed feature.

The Watch 6 Classic boasts a long battery life (particularly in the larger 47mm version), the smoothest Wear OS performance currently available, and superb, bright screens in both sizes. Along with the basic Galaxy Watch 6, it also introduces Wear OS 4. However, for the time being, this is very insignificant compared to Wear OS 3.5, which several other watches on this list are running.

There isn’t much need to upgrade to the Watch 6 Classic if you’re wearing a Galaxy Watch 5, or even a Galaxy Watch 4, and the battery is still functioning. However, if you’re switching from an older wearable or purchasing your first one, this is the best Wear OS device available right now.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

More bang for your buck

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers superior performance, long battery life, and a larger display than the Watch 5 in a similar-sized body, making it the best value among current-generation Wear OS watches.

Positive
  • All the perks of the Watch 6 Classic, minus the rotating bezel
  • Bigger display than the Watch 5
  • $300 for a top-shelf Wear OS experience
Negatives
  • Extremely similar to last gen
  • Bezel doesn’t rotate

The base model Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 costs $300 and delivers nearly identical functionality to the Watch 6 Classic. The two watches are nearly identical to one another in terms of functionality, screens, battery life, and software. The rotating bezel from the Watch 6 Classic is absent from the regular Watch 6. Although it appears to be a small difference, the bezel is important to many people since it is entertaining, practical, and helps shield the display from dings and scratches.

However, skipping that one function and saving $100 is a highly attractive option because the regular Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers a superior Wear OS experience for less money. The Galaxy Watch 5 from the previous generation and even the Galaxy Watch 4 from before that are extremely comparable to the more recent Watch 6, however they are becoming more and more difficult to locate. The Watch 6 at MSRP is more expensive than either previous-model watch if you can find one at a decent bargain from a dependable seller. The Galaxy Watch 6 is now the most cost-effective option if you’re shopping for a new watch.

Google Pixel Watch

Style and substance

The Google Pixel Watch, which has been in development for more than ten years, has finally been released. The Pixel Watch, the first Android smartwatch with Fitbit health tracking, seeks to make it simple for you to maintain or become in shape. Additionally, Wear OS 3.5 introduces the wearable user interface that Google envisions as well as Wear OS-only apps for Google services like Google Home.

Positive
  • Striking design
  • Premium hardware
  • Google’s watch faces are excellent
Negatives
  • Average-at-best battery life
  • Fitbit integration is lacking
  • Pricey

The Pixel Watch is Google’s tardy entry into the smartwatch market years into Wear OS. It does a lot of things correctly for a first try. The Pixel Watch’s hardware is exquisitely crafted and has a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from other products on the market right now. Its case is composed of stainless steel, which is a more durable and upscale material than the aluminum many smartwatches use. Given that Google decided to power the Pixel Watch with an older CPU, performance is surprisingly reliable. Additionally fantastic are Wear OS 3.5 and Google’s unique watch faces.

The Pixel Watch has strong Fitbit connectivity, and using it as Google intends—wearing it all day to measure your activity and all night to track your sleep—requires at least one daily charging. Other health functions seen in other Fitbit trackers, including as skin temperature sensing, EDA measures, and SpO2 detection, are also absent from the watch (although the latter feature should be in a future software update). We have durability issues as well; complaints of shattered displays began to surface even before the watch was offered for sale. It’s still a distinctive, expensive Wear OS watch.

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, which is our favorite watch overall, is more expensive than the Google Pixel Watch. However, it is our Premium Pick even though it costs $350, which is plainly too much. The performance is adequate but not outstanding, and the battery life is at best fair. However, the Pixel Watch’s comparatively high price is justified by its obviously distinctive, high-end appearance, which is truly premium.

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5

And Wear OS 3.5!

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5

The first Wear OS watch equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 CPU is Mobvoi’s TicWatch Pro 5. The TicWatch Pro 5’s performance isn’t noticeably better than that of previous-generation smartwatches, but it is incredibly quick and has a long battery life because of its dual-layer display technology.

Positive
  • Fast performance
  • Modern software
  • Killer battery life
Negatives
  • On the large side
  • No Google Assistant

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 is currently a very attractive Wear OS choice. It’s a terrific smartwatch for practically everyone with a large enough wrist because it offers both top-tier performance and battery life that can easily last three days on a single charge. However, the large watch’s multi-day battery life is made possible by an additional LCD screen, which can be challenging to read in some lighting conditions. Even worse, Mobvoi has not stated when (or if) Google Assistant access would be added.

The TicWatch Pro 5 is a premium option that costs the same $350 MSRP as the Pixel Watch, but many customers find it to be a more cost-effective choice because to its improved durability and battery life. The most recent Wear OS watch from Mobvoi might be a competitor if you don’t mind living without the Google Assistant on your wrist.

Fossil Gen 6

Also upgradeable to Wear OS 3.2

Fossil Gen 6

The Fossil Gen 6 is a reliable Wear OS watch that features Wear OS 3.2, a beautiful display, and a strong build. That version of Wear OS is not the most recent and does not include capabilities that some people might view as necessary for a smartwatch, such as access to Google Assistant. The Gen 6 is still one of your better options today if you’re looking for an Android wearable that isn’t built by Samsung or Google.

Positive
  • Sturdy build quality with good buttons and rotating crown
  • OLED display is bright and really sharp
  • Fast(er) charging is better than previous generations
Negatives
  • Battery life is mediocre, even if you sacrifice almost all of the features
  • Performance occasionally stutters a little too much
  • MSRP is too high

The Fossil Gen 6 initially didn’t excite us all that much. Even though it has Qualcomm’s rather robust Snapdragon 4100+ CPU, it debuted with an outdated edition of Wear OS. Current Wear OS watches from Fossil are eligible for an update to Wear OS version 3.2 as of October 2022. That’s a touch out of date as Wear OS 4 is coming out, and the most recent version is 3.5, and the update disables compatibility with Google Fit Wear OS and on-wrist Google Assistant interactions. But hey, the update is available and waiting for you if you don’t care about any of those things.

The Gen 6 is a viable alternative thanks to its sturdy construction, colorful, clear display, and optional Wear OS 3 update. Just be aware that there are currently more desirable solutions available.

Skagen Falster Gen 6

One of the best looking Wear OS watches

Skagen Falster Gen 6

The Falster Gen 6 is for you if you prefer smaller, slimmer timepieces that don’t take up much room on your wrist. There is a choice for any taste because of its lovely design, which is available in silver, gold, black, grey, and brown. The Falster 6 is ideal for people who want all the facts and analyses during their daily life because it functions as an upscale watch with smartphone capabilities on the side.

Positive
  • Attractive design
  • Lots of case and band options
  • Bright, sharp AMOLED screen
Negatives
  • Mediocre battery life
  • Performance stutters a little too often
  • Pricey at MSRP

A chic substitute for the Fossil Gen 6 is the Skagen Falster Gen 6. The two smartwatches are essentially identical, other from how they look. They both have the same 1.28″ 416×416 AMOLED display, 300mAh battery, and Snapdragon Wear 4100+ CPU with 1 GB of RAM. The Skagen Flaster Gen 6 can also be updated to Wear OS 3.2, exactly as the Fossil Gen 6, but keep in mind that doing so would disable Google Assistant and Google Fit features.

The Falster offers a style that can be appealing to folks who don’t like the styling of the Fossil Gen 6 despite the fact that using either watch will result in the identical experience. The Falster Gen 6’s higher water resistant rating of 5 ATM over the Fossil’s 3 ATM is one specialized advantage of the Skagen watch over the latter. Keep an eye out for good bargains as lately you’ll frequently find this watch selling for significantly less than its $295 MSRP.

Mobvoi TicWatch E3

Inexpensive with great battery life

Mobvoi TicWatch E3

The TicWatch E3 from Mobvoi is one of the more cost-effective ways to explore Wear OS because it retails for $200 and frequently goes on sale for less. It’s still not clear when Wear OS 3’s promised update will appear, though.

Positive
  • Wear 4100 chipset is snappy
  • Two full days on a charge, even with the always-on display on
  • In line to get Wear OS 3
Negatives
  • Thicker than we’d like
  • Setup is a pain
  • LCD where many smartwatches have OLED

Mobvoi’s TicWatch E3 offers a lot of value for a relatively low $200 price with Qualcomm’s Wear 4100 CPU, a full gig of RAM, and a soon-to-be-released update to the new and better Wear OS 3. To achieve that low price, Mobvoi chose a cheaper LCD, which results in less contrast and imperfect OLED blacks. Still, battery life lasts far into the second day even with that less efficient display type. The watch’s functionality is also restricted in an Essential Mode, but the battery life is much increased.

Although the TicWatch E3 has an MSRP of $200, it frequently sells for less. It’s also qualified for a Wear OS 3 beta, so the stable version shouldn’t be too far behind. It’s still a good choice for the price in the interim.

What’s the best Android watch you can buy?

We now love both the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and 6 Classic a lot. Depending on the size you choose, Samsung’s newest Wear OS watches run Wear OS 4 and are quick performers with brilliant, smooth displays and battery life that can last up to two full days. Don’t hurry out to upgrade from last year’s model, though, as the majority of the features we appreciate about the Watch 6 series are also found in the Watch 5 series.

Google’s Pixel Watch is another option. For fashion-conscious Android users who want the most recent Wear OS version in a beautiful box, it’s an intriguing choice, but it’s not the best option for those seeking the best value. The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5, a less fashionable version with noticeably improved battery life, is also available for the same price.

The watches from Fossil and Skagen still run on the outdated Wear OS 3.2 and don’t provide many noticeable advantages over the other selections on this list, but they’re both good choices if you can find them for a significant price.

Best overall

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

King of the Wear OS hill

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

The greatest Wear OS watch available right now is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. It has the most recent version of Wear OS 4, higher battery life than the industry average, excellent performance with Samsung’s brand-new Exynos W930 CPU, and a brilliant, colorful screen. One long-standing feature of Samsung wearables that we missed in the Watch 5 series is the bezel’s ability to swivel in order to scroll and explore menus.

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

TECK CLICK BD
Logo
Reset Password
Compare items
  • Cameras (0)
  • Phones (0)
Compare