
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

Pixel Watch 4 repairability puts Apple, Garmin, and Samsung on notice
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly The Pixel Watch 4's 100-page repair guide isn't for the faint of heart, but every other major smartwatch brand needs to emulate Google here.

I tested the Google Pixel Watch 4's fitness tools and accuracy against my Garmin Forerunner
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday The Pixel Watch 4 is Google's sportiest smartwatch yet, but does it do enough to tempt fans of dedicated fitness watches? I tested it against a Garmin watch to see.

Meta Quest 3S vs. Quest 3: More similar than you'd expect
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Versus We'll help you decide if you can live with the Quest 3S's budget downgrades or if you need the full set of Quest 3 upgrades.

The odds are looking grim for Pixel Watch 1 owners to get Wear OS 6
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS woes The Pixel Watch series is guaranteed three years of software updates; now we have a clearer idea of what that means for version updates.

Google Pixel Watch 4: All you need to know about the latest Pixel wearable
By Michael L Hicks, Namerah Saud Fatmi last updated
Same look, new perks The Pixel Watch 4 is officially here, and we have the rundown of every key hardware upgrade and new feature that Google has to offer.

Wear OS 6 is one of the best parts of the Pixel Watch 4
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly The Pixel Watch 4 has the best version of Wear OS yet, but Google should take inspiration from Samsung for both Tiles and long-term software support.

Garmin Venu 4 vs. Venu X1: All-around quality or expensive, niche perks?
By Michael L Hicks published
Venu variability We break down the reasons why the Venu 4 outshines the X1 for key hardware perks, while the X1 has software and design advantages if you pay top dollar.

The CMF Watch Pro 2 is only $49 for Prime Day, and it's much better than the price would suggest
By Michael L Hicks published
Big Deal Days Most fitness watches this cheap are barely worth wearing. The CMF Watch Pro 2 outperforms its price, which is lower than ever for Prime Big Deal Days.

Instead of Garmin watch Prime Day deals, stock up on these last-minute watch band deals instead
By Michael L Hicks published
Big Deal Days Garmin watch deals are slim pickings this Prime Day, but the watch band deals are everywhere, both for QuickFit and Quick Release.

This is the ONE last-minute Prime Day deal every Galaxy Watch 8 owner should buy
By Michael L Hicks published
Big Deal Days You can always buy a cheap Galaxy Watch, but if you already have your Watch 8, now's the time to stock up on accessories while they're cheap.

The Google Pixel Watch 4 impressed me with its upgrades, but it has its quirks
By Michael L Hicks published
Significant changes The unique, curved Pixel Watch 4 display will make or break your experience; otherwise, you'll find strong improvements across the board.

The best Prime Day Garmin deals — there's still time to save big on the world's best fitness watches
By Patrick Farmer, Michael L Hicks last updated
Get fit for less Amazon's Big Deal Days sale is LIVE, and there is no shortage of epic Garmin watch deals to explore.

DON'T buy that Fitbit Charge 6 deal — buy this Prime Day fitness watch deal instead
By Michael L Hicks published
I reviewed and respected the Fitbit Charge 6 in 2023, but you can find a much better, newer fitness watch from Amazfit.

This epic Prime Day Pixel Watch 3 deal will SPOIL the Pixel Watch 4 launch
By Michael L Hicks published
Big Deal Days The Pixel Watch 4 arrives Thursday for $349, but with the Watch 3 at less than half that price for Prime Day, are the upgrades enough to justify the cost?

The only Prime Day smartwatch deal you should care about is selling out fast — it won't last long!
By Michael L Hicks published
Big Deal Days You'd normally need trade-in credit to score a Galaxy Watch this cheap; now could be your last chance to get this deal before stock runs out for good.

The best cheap Android phone of 2025 — and my personal favorite — just plummeted another $150 for Prime Day
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day The full Pixel 9 lineup has deals for Amazon Big Deal Days, but I'd recommend buying the Pixel 9a, and not just because it's the cheapest option.

Garmin Instinct vs. Instinct 2: Should you upgrade?
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Built for battle The Garmin Instinct 2 is a fantastic rugged smartwatch with durable battery life. But if you own the Garmin Instinct, should you upgrade? We'll help you decide.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 8: Every key difference
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Pixel vs. pixel The Pixel 8a is barely a compromise compared to last year's Pixel 8, but there are a few downgrades in exchange for the $200 off the price tag.

Ray-Ban Meta tips and tricks: Key AI features for Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Meta Display glasses
By Michael L Hicks published
Meta AI mega-guide From new Meta Ray-Ban Display and Oakley Meta Vanguard features to hidden Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) tricks, here's every feature and app you should know.

Samsung Galaxy AI: Phones, Now Bar, Gemini, and everything else you should know
By Michael L Hicks last updated
New tricks We break down Samsung phones have Galaxy AI, how the features compare to Gemini, Agentic AI, and everything else you should know!

Samsung Galaxy Watches will 'soon' detect warning signs for heart failure
By Michael L Hicks published
Saving lives Apple made a splash with hypertension alerts; now Samsung will tackle its own serious health condition: Heart failure.

Strava sues Garmin as decade-old grievances boil to the surface
By Michael L Hicks published
Strava v Garmin Strava claims that Garmin Live Segments, heatmaps, and popularity routing infringe on its patents and a 2015 private agreement between them.

I've tested all of Samsung's smartwatches and these are the 5 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.
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