Michael L Hicks
Michael is Android Central's resident expert on fitness tech and wearables, with an enthusiast's love of VR tech on the side. After years freelancing for Techradar, Wareable, Windows Central, Digital Trends, and other sites on a variety of tech topics, AC has given him the chance to really dive into the topics he's passionate about. He's also a semi-reformed Apple-to-Android user who loves D&D, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings.
For wearables, Michael has tested dozens of smartwatches from Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Apple, COROS, Polar, Amazfit, and other brands, and will always focus on recommending the best product over the best brand. He's also completed marathons like NYC, SF, Marine Corps, Big Sur, and California International — though he's still trying to break that 4-hour barrier.
Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Best Oculus Quest 2 headphones 2024
By Michael L Hicks, Nicholas Sutrich last updated
Immersed in sound While the Oculus Quest 2 has its own audio solution built-in, many people prefer headphones a little more tailored to their preferences. Here are the best headphones for the Oculus Quest 2.
I'd swap my Garmin Forerunner 965 for this much cheaper smartwatch in a heartbeat — if it weren't for one thing
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Garmin strategically withholds software from its cheaper watches. Only one missing Garmin Forerunner 165 tool is hard to lose.
I tested the Garmin Forerunner 165 against the two best cheap fitness trackers
By Michael L Hicks published
Put to the test How the Forerunner 165 compared for steps, GPS, and heart rate against the Fitbit Charge 6 and COROS PACE 3.
Best smartwatches that can measure blood oxygen saturation levels 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
SPO2 monitor If you want a watch that measures your blood oxygen saturation levels with plenty of other great perks, these are the best ones you can buy right now.
Best VR headsets 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Extend your reality Whether you have a gaming PC, a PC, or nothing at all, we show you which headset is best, and what you should be putting your money towards for VR.
Future Galaxy Watches may borrow the Apple Watch squircle look — and I'm on board
By Michael L Hicks published
A square surprise A report claims Samsung is "enthusiastically" considering squircle Galaxy Watches after the Watch 7 and that "the switch is going to happen."
This wearable for pro athletes has me rethinking my whole approach to fitness training
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday I tested out the CORE Body Temperature Sensor and learned why VO2 Max and my fitness watch aren't enough to ensure I'm race-ready.
Meta Quest Pro 2: Everything we want from the 2025 Apple Vision Pro rival
By Michael L Hicks published
Try, try again The Meta Quest Pro 2 will need a revamped display, lighter design, and a clearer purpose to avoid another flop and justify the $2,000 cost.
Best Garmin watch 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Best for fitness training These are the best Garmin watches across the Venu, Forerunner, Instinct, Epix, and other Garmin lineups, for every type of athlete.
Which Wear OS watches work with iPhone?
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Not worth the effort Samsung and Google don't bother with iOS anymore, and most of the other Wear OS brands who try to make iPhone compatibility work probably regret it, given how lackluster the experience is.
Latest Garmin Forerunner update sounds great on paper but may be causing tracking issues
By Michael L Hicks published
Heart rate issues Aside from cool tricks like Lap Undo and a track database, Garmin Forerunner update 18.22 has apparently introduced heart rate tracking issues.
How many updates will the OnePlus Watch 2 get?
By Michael L Hicks published
How long? The OnePlus Watch 2 is tempting due to its gorgeous design and 100-hour battery, but you should know upfront how long it will last from a software perspective.
Best smartwatch with LTE 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Cellular on your wrist If you depend on your wearable for just about everything, you may benefit from an LTE smartwatch. So, we've rounded up some of the best options.
Samsung and Motorola want us to wear our smartphones. We REALLY shouldn't.
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday MWC 2024 was full of sci-fi-esque tech like transparent laptops, but a wearable, bendable smartphone doesn't even make sense on Star Trek.
Best Wear OS watch 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Wear this If you want a feature-packed and stylish Wear OS watch, you have plenty of options from manufacturers such as Samsung, Google, Fossil, Mobvoi, and more.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Galaxy Watch 6: Both built to last, but in different ways
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS showdown We break down where the OnePlus Watch 2 wins (style, battery life, GPS data, and more) and where the Galaxy Watch 6 wins (comfort, displays, navigation, health sensors, and more).
Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 6: Major fixes and unresolved issues
By Michael L Hicks published
The Pixel 6 was a promising phone hampered by software issues. Does the Pixel 8 do enough two years later to justify an early switch?
Garmin SOS report details all the times its InReach satellites saved people's lives last year
By Michael L Hicks published
SOS Garmin reports that its InReach SOS program is used almost as often for auto and motorcycle accidents as for hiking emergencies.
Meta Quest Plus' new 'catalog' of games comes with a $25 store credit incentive
By Michael L Hicks published
Expand your Quest library Meta is making its monthly subscription a combination of Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, with both a set games catalog and two new monthly games.
Future Games Show 2024 will be hosted by Baldur's Gate 3, Final Fantasy XVI stars
By Michael L Hicks published
March 21 Get ready for over 40 new game announcements on March 21, hosted by Samantha Béart (Karlach) and Ben Starr (Clive Rosfield) at Future Games Show 2024.
Take two: Meta and LG will team up for Quest Pro 2 'alliance' in 2025
By Michael L Hicks published
Challenging the Vision Pro After the failure of the Quest Pro to resonate with productivity users, Meta is teaming up with LG to try and go back to that form factor now that the Apple Vision Pro is making a splash.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Pixel Watch 2: A new Android watch rivalry
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS battle The OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Pixel Watch 2 is the latest Wear OS battle with no clear winner, as OnePlus dominates for battery life but Google offers better health and fitness tools.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. OnePlus Watch: A massive improvement
By Michael L Hicks published
Major upgrade By nearly every metric, the OnePlus Watch 2 is a major upgrade over the original, mediocre OnePlus Watch. They look very similar, but there's a lot changed underneath the surface.
Google's new 'hybrid' Wear OS will enhance other watches besides the OnePlus Watch 2
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS 4, enhanced Alongside the announcement of the OnePlus Watch 2 launch, Google revealed the new version of Wear OS 4 designed to work with dual-chipset architecture that helps both chips "work better in tandem."