
Michael L Hicks
Michael is Android Central's resident expert on wearables and fitness. He's reviewed or tested dozens of smartwatches, fitness bands, VR headsets, smart rings, earbuds, and other wearable tech from brands like Amazfit, Apple, COROS, Fitbit, Garmin, Google, Meta, Polar, Shokz, Suunto, Ultrahuman, Withings, and more. After earning a degree in English and an MA in Publishing & Writing, he started as a tech freelancer in 2015, covering emerging tech news for Techradar and VR films and games for Wareable in off-hours while working full-time at an educational publisher, coding e-books. Eventually he discovered he had more passion for tech writing than publishing and became a full-time freelancer in 2020, writing for Android Central, Windows Central, Digital Trends, and other sites. AC hired him as Senior Editor by the end of 2020 in a "jack-of-all-trades" tech role, but he channeled his passion for running into a set role covering Wearables and VR in 2022. his trademark is to thoroughly test every fitness smartwatch he reviews, checking its steps, heart rate, GPS, and elevation accuracy against other brands so that athletes know whether they can trust that data. In his free time, Michael has run marathons in NYC, SF, DC, Sacramento, and Big Sur.
Latest articles by Michael L Hicks

The new Galaxy Watch 8 Tiles are the best part of One UI 8 Watch
By Michael L Hicks published
Inspired tiles Out of every One UI 8 Watch change, the new Tiles are an immediate standout that totally changed how I use my smartwatch.

The top 10 Garmin smartwatch deals STILL going strong after Prime Day
By Patrick Farmer, Michael L Hicks last updated
Get fit for less Prime Day ends at midnight, but there remain plenty of great Garmin watch deals available (if you hurry).

Is the Galaxy Watch 8 worth the upgrade? Here's every factor to consider
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Older Galaxy Watches have fallen well behind, but is the Watch 8 or Watch 8 Classic different enough from the Watch 7 or Watch 6 Classic?

Prime Day is dying, but this $150 Garmin deal on Best Buy still lives
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 Looking for an entry-level Garmin watch to try out the ecosystem without spending boatloads? The $100-off Garmin Venu Sq 2 is an intriguing option.

Time's running out! Grab the Pixel Watch 3 at its all-time low while you still can
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Prime Day 2025 The Pixel Watch 3 will soon get major software upgrades so that it's better than ever, but

If you buy one sub-$100 smartwatch before Prime Day ends, make it this one
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 The Amazfit Bip 6 is one of the best cheap fitness watches available, and you can grab it for 19% off for Prime Day.

Preorder NOW to get Meta's Limited Edition Oakley smart glasses before everyone else
By Michael L Hicks published
Going, going... Meta's limited-edition AI glasses are available now, but you'll have to wait for the cheaper Oakley HSTN models without gold accents.

HURRY! Amazon sold out, but Best Buy has an even better Galaxy Watch Ultra deal at $325 off for the next few hours only
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Prime Day 2025 The Galaxy Watch Ultra is available for what a "normal" Galaxy Watch will cost, giving you a premium experience for $325 off!

Which Quest 2 & 3 accessories work with Meta Quest 3S?
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Save on accessories Anyone switching from the Quest 2 to the Quest 3S will mostly need new accessories, with a few exceptions, and not every Quest 3 accessory is compatible.

With no Galaxy Ring 2 at Unpacked, is this $100-off Galaxy Ring deal a steal or a trap?
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 At 25% off, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is much more compelling. But should you be spending that money on a Galaxy Watch 8 instead?

I'm buying this 67%-off Ray-Ban Meta cable to solve my battery problems
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 My Ray-Ban Meta glasses don't last to their four-hour estimate anymore; this extension cable could give them extra juice on the go.

Meta's Elite Strap with Battery deal is too expensive, so I'm buying this strap instead
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 Most of the best Elite Strap alternatives for the Quest 3 and 3S are discounted for Prime Day, but this is the best option (and one of the cheapest).

Want a Fenix 8? Save $490 on an Epix Pro Gen 2 and get nearly all the same perks!
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 The Garmin Fenix 8 has a Prime Day deal, but you should save 45% on an Epix Pro Gen 2 instead of 9% on a Fenix 8.

Oura's two biggest rivals just SLASHED their best smart rings for Prime Day
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 The RingConn Gen 2 and Ultrahuman Ring Air are the best subscription-free Oura Ring alternatives, and Prime Day deals have made them much more affordable.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025): Everything you need to know
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Ultra 2.0 We weren't sure if we'd get a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2; instead, Samsung rereleased the Watch Ultra with some minor changes and a fourth color.

That painful Galaxy Watch 8 price jump makes this Watch 7 Prime Day deal look even better
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Amazon Prime Day The Galaxy Watch 8 doesn't have enough compelling upgrades to justify spending $349 when the Watch 7 is just $159.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Price, specs, new features, Watch 8 Classic, and more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Classic redux Both Watch 8 models take after the Ultra in looks and the Watch 7 in hardware. Here's everything that's changed (or unchanged).

I wear these running earbuds every day, and they're 30% off for Prime Day
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 I love my Shokz OpenFit 2s and would recommend them at full price. Now they've gotten their first major discount thanks to Prime Day 2025.

Skip the Balance 2 — these Amazfit Prime Day deals are too cheap to pass up!
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 Amazfit watches have gotten pricier but better over time. Thanks to Prime Day, the Balance and Active 2 prices have fallen to what frugal athletes want.

Our favorite AR glasses just got their first big discount for Prime Day
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 Our XREAL One reviewer said that their "biggest downside is the price." But with a Prime Day deal and extra 5%-off code, it's more affordable.

Garmin Forerunner 970 review: A Fenix-ified 965
By Michael L Hicks published
For serious athletes The Forerunner 965 was my favorite running watch ever; after a month with the Forerunner 970, I've fallen for its new perks, but not everyone needs them.

I'm buying Garmin's most attractive watch for my fiancée, thanks to this Prime Day deal
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 The Garmin Lily 2 Active is a hybrid model that doesn't sacrifice basic smarts or fitness tracking, while still looking attractive.

Despite its drawbacks, I can't help but love the Venu X1 for one obvious reason
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Garmin took this watch in a direction its core fans won't like, with a price and features that'll scare off casuals. So who is the Venu X1 for?
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