
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

Will the Google Pixel Watch 4 support Qi wireless charging?
By Michael L Hicks published
Charging switch-up We've been impatiently waiting for Android smartwatches to abandon proprietary charging for Qi charging. Will the Pixel Watch 4 start this trend?

Garmin Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265: Two classics with plenty left in the tank
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Same price, different focuses The Forerunner 265 has more accurate GPS and better training tools, while the Venu 3 has a mic & speaker, better style, and more useful health data.

Meta's Tiramisu and Boba prototype headsets deliver hyperrealistic VR that the Quest 4 can't match
By Michael L Hicks published
Promising prototypes With Meta Connect arriving soon, Reality Labs will showcase some impressive VR prototypes, laying the path for the Quest 4 (or Quest 5) to replace your TV.

Best fitness watch 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Time to get fit There are fitness bands — and then there are smartwatches. But some smartwatches can pull double duty in the fitness space too. These are the best ones.

The Garmin Venu 4 should arrive soon; here's how Garmin should improve it
By Michael L Hicks published
Coming soon The Garmin Venu 4 is due to appear before we know it, and we already have a long list of features and upgrades we expect and hope to see.

Should you wait for the Google Pixel Watch 4?
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday The Pixel Watch 4 is set to launch at the upcoming Made by Google event in late August. Will the new watch be worth it?

Samsung Galaxy Watch 9: Everything we want to see
By Michael L Hicks published
Looking ahead We break down what the Galaxy Watch 9 is expected to change from the new Galaxy Watch 8, from new features to upgrades.

I've tested all of Samsung's smartwatches and these are the 6 best picks in 2025
By Michael L Hicks, Namerah Saud Fatmi last updated
Galactic greatness Finding the best Samsung watch for yourself depends on whether you want the flagship Galaxy Watch 8, a Classic bezel, Pro battery, or last-gen prices.

First 10 things to do with your new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 or Watch 8 Classic
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly From activating the newest One UI 8 Watch features to customizing your Tiles and activating dev options, here's where to start with your new Watch 8.

Google Pixel Watch 4: Everything we know so far and what we want to see
By Michael L Hicks, Namerah Saud Fatmi last updated
Same look, new perks From a new chipset and bigger battery to Gemini and Material 3 Expressive, here's how the Pixel Watch 4 will upstage the excellent Watch 3.

Garmin Venu X1 vs. Venu 3: Should you upgrade or wait for the Venu 4?
By Michael L Hicks published
Very varied Venus Garmin Venu 3 users might be tempted to upgrade to the Venu X1, but they'll have to accept a major downgrade and a steep price increase.

Best tablet for students 2025
By Andrew Myrick, Michael L Hicks last updated
Education tools Getting the school year started can be a little intimidating, but the best tablets for students can help ease this process more successfully.

Best Buy will PAY YOU $100 to buy the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic from them
By Michael L Hicks published
Free money Get a $100 gift card on top of $250 in possible trade-in credit, for up to $350 saved from this $500 smartwatch deal.

Facer officially returns to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 in massive update
By Michael L Hicks published
Fun faces Wear OS 6 brought third-party watch face apps back to Android watches. Now, Facer is officially compatible with the Galaxy Watch 8.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is a tough sell with vintage perks
By Michael L Hicks published
Bold swing Plenty of long-time Galaxy Watch fans wrote off the Watch 8 Classic as soon as they saw it. They should give it a second look.

The Moto 360 (2025) has leaked, but will it use Wear OS or not?
By Michael L Hicks published
Classic killer? Long-time Wear OS fans turned off by the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic might turn to the leaked Moto 360 (2025), but only if it returns to Google's fold.

Samsung Running Coach is a cool idea held back by hardware and execution
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday The Samsung Running Coach may help beginner runners, but there are fundamental issues with accuracy and personalization to work out first.

I like Samsung's antioxidant index on the Galaxy Watch 8 more than I expected
By Michael L Hicks published
Diet data Samsung's antioxidant index is an objective (but limited) way to rate how healthy your diet is, without needing to log food.

Best cheap smartwatch for Android 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Affordable wearables Looking for a solid cheap Android smartwatch? Check out these options, including Wear OS wearables, low-priced fitness watches, and stylish hybrids.

Samsung changed the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic's rotating bezel, and it's mostly good news
By Michael L Hicks published
Bezel breakdown Samsung changed up the Watch 8 Classic's rotating bezel compared to the Watch 6 Classic, and also made the upgrade pricier. Is it still worth it?

I tested the new Gemini app on my Galaxy Watch 8, and it's close to excellent
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Gemini has already surpassed Google Assistant on Android watches for understanding and acting on your commands. Now it just needs some fine-tuning.

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).
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