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 Sir.
Latest articles by Michael L Hicks
Best Fitbit 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Fit for your wrist Want a Fitbit but aren't sure which one is for you? Here's a guide to help make your decision a little easier.
Best GPS smartwatches and fitness trackers 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Accurate positioning Today, most smartwatches have GPS, but GPS alone can be inaccurate and skew your results. We've rounded up the best smartwatches and fitness trackers that go beyond GPS for more accurate data.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Specs, Ultra & Watch 6 differences, and more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Galaxy AI watch Here's everything you need to know about the Galaxy Watch 7's pricing, specs, design changes, new health features, and differences from other Galaxy Watches.
First 11 things to do with your new Google Pixel Watch 3
By Michael L Hicks published
Unbox and go nuts We run through everything you need to know after unboxing your Pixel Watch 3, from Fitbit tricks and Pixel exclusives to developer options.
Apple dethroned Garmin on Strava in 2024; there are two main reasons why
By Michael L Hicks published
Apple v Garmin The old Garmin Forerunner 235 and 245 topped Strava's charts last year, but Apple has swooped in thanks to its renewed focus on running, among other reasons.
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.
One of our favorite running watch brands is adding Strava Live Segments
By Michael L Hicks published
Beat your rivals Strava Live Segments let you check if you're on pace to beat your PR or neighborhood rivals on a particular stretch, and this brand is finally getting them.
The OnePlus Watch 3 should arrive soon; it has a lot of Watch 2 problems to fix
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly The OnePlus Watch 3 is expected to arrive in January alongside the new flagship; here is every new feature or upgrade it needs to fix the Watch 2's drawbacks.
Xreal beats Meta to the punch with its next-gen spatial AR glasses
By Michael L Hicks published
AR glasses One of our favorite AR brands, Xreal has made new glasses with wider FoV, spatial tracking, multimodal AI, Bose sound, and more upgrades.
Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2: Every key upgrade
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Versus Garmin Venu 2 owners have a ton of reasons to upgrade. For Venu 2 Plus owners, it's a tougher decision.
The ONLY workout earbuds I'll ever wear are 31% off for Cyber Monday (for now!)
By Michael L Hicks published
Cyber Monday If you're an athlete who needs situational awareness but can't stand bone conduction, this is the best (only) solution I recommend, and it has a major discount.
SPRINT to grab our #1 running watch pick before the Cyber Monday deal's gone for good
By Michael L Hicks published
Cyber Monday Garmin's Forerunners all offer excellent training tools and accuracy; our recommendation is the $100-off Forerunner 265, but its siblings also have great discounts.
Need a cheap Android watch with multi-day battery life? Skip the Galaxy Watch Ultra and start with these two!
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Cyber Monday 2024 The Galaxy Watch Ultra may be $160 off, but you can still spend less by choosing these Wear OS watches with 3+ days of battery life.
Gollum would murder hobbitses to get this 43% OFF smart ring lightning deal before Cyber Monday ends
By Michael L Hicks published
My precious... The RingConn Gen 1 smart ring is on our "Best smart rings" list, and it's currently 43% ($120) off thanks to a Cyber Monday lightning deal.
Save 40% on most Quest 3 games through Cyber Monday; start with these 25 VR greats
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Cyber Monday 2024 About 300 Quest 3 games have a 40% discount, and we've chosen the best games from that huge list to help you build your library.
This 40%-off Cyber Monday deal makes this Amazfit running watch MUCH more compelling
By Michael L Hicks published
Cyber Monday 2024 I gave the Amazfit Cheetah Pro a positive review, but I wasn't sure it really justified a $299 price tag. Now it's 40% off, and it's much easier to recommend!
How to use your new Cyber Monday smartwatch to shed Thanksgiving pounds
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday I run through all the specific smartwatches and tools that'll actively help you lose weight, including those discounted for Cyber Monday.
These are my favorite Black Friday Garmin smartwatch deals still in stock (for now!)
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Grab some Garmin Garmin's holiday sale is LIVE, and retailers all over the web are dropping major discounts on some of our favorite smartwatches.
Make your phone-addicted kids read with these major Black Friday Kindle Kids deals
By Michael L Hicks published
Black Friday 2024 Both the Kindle Paperwhite Kids and Kindle Kids have significant discounts courtesy of Black Friday 2024.
Get $70 off (plus a free $100 upgrade on) my favorite Android watch of 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Black Friday 2024 The Pixel Watch 3 is my favorite Android watch of the year, and the 45mm LTE model is $170 off right NOW!
Black Friday is live, but this 52%-off Galaxy Watch 6 deal won't last until Cyber Monday
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Black Friday 2024 Samsung won't make any more Galaxy Watch 6s, and they've begun to sell out for good thanks to their insane Black Friday price.
Black Friday Fitbit frenzy: Save tons of cash on Charge, Inspire, Sense, Versa, and Pixel watches
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Black Friday 2024 Whether you want a tiny inspire 3, feature-packed Charge 6, health-focused Sense 2, or Wear OS-ready Pixel Watch 3, there are some great Black Friday deals for all of them.
Every Android smartwatch has a Black Friday deal; here's how I'd choose as a wearable expert
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Rather than choose your next Android watch based on price, I'll run through the pros and cons for each Wear OS brand and generation to help you choose.
Galaxy Watches have never been cheaper, but you may want to skip this Black Friday deal
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Black Friday 2024 We've never seen brand-new Galaxy Watches as cheap as $126, but that should tell you something about the Galaxy Watch FE — it's kind of a trap.
Google Pixel Watch 3: Upgrades, new Fitbit perks, and differences from the Pixel Watch 2
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Third time's the charm? The Google Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes and is full to the brim with cool new AI features, handy apps, and more. Here's everything you need to know about it!
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