
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

My demo with Google's AR glasses went better than the one on stage
By Michael L Hicks published
Google I/O Google and Samsung co-made their monocular AR glasses reference design, and I was one of the first to try it. Here's everything I learned and liked.

These Samsung Galaxy Tab models support the S Pen
By Michael L Hicks, Andrew Myrick last updated
Putting pen to screen Which Galaxy Tab S, A, FE, and Active tablets work with Samsung's best stylus?

Google just laid out its game plan to make you (and developers) care about Android XR
By Michael L Hicks published
Serious ambition Google will design Android XR reference glasses for developers to make their own smart glasses, while Warby Parker and Gentle Monster design Google's glasses.

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

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Leaks, Gemini, and upgrades
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Classic redux It appears the Galaxy Watch 8 will bring back the Classic design, stick with a similar battery size, and add new health AI tools.

The Forerunner 570 & 970 have made Garmin's tiered strategy clearer than ever
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Garmin restricts features to prop up flagships like the Forerunner 970, leaving pricey mid-tier watches like the Forerunner 570 behind its cheaper rivals.

Ultrahuman's iOS demand proves why the Galaxy Ring had an uphill battle
By Michael L Hicks published
Android indifference? Oura and Ultrahuman have dominated recent smart ring sales, and a healthy majority of its users own iPhones. So what about Android-owning smart ring fans?

Sorry, day one Fenix 8 buyers: The best Garmin watch has NEVER been this cheap
By Michael L Hicks published
Fenix freefall If you've been waiting to buy the insanely costly Fenix 8, you can now snag one for $200 off.

Material 3 Expressive is the return to form the Pixel Watch 4 needs
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Google remembered that the Pixel Watch isn't just a Fitbit, making its next Wear OS update more substantial.

Garmin Forerunner 970 and 570 revealed: Here's everything they added (and didn't add)
By Michael L Hicks published
Forefront of watches The Garmin Forerunner 970 already looks to be the best running watch of 2025, while the Forerunner 570 makes useful changes but is missing one key perk.

Google Pixel Watch 3: Specs, features, and buyer's guide
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Third time charmer Available in two sizes, the Google Pixel Watch 3 has loads of delectable features to indulge in. Here's all you need to know about it.

Wear OS 5: Features, One UI 6 Watch, & eligible watches
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Wear tools We break down every new Wear OS 5 feature, which watches will receive it (and when), what's different with OS 5.1, and everything else you should know!

Wear OS 6: Eligible watches, One UI 8 Watch, Gemini, & more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Future of Wear OS Wear OS 6 will likely transform Android watches with Gemini tricks, health coaching, a new Material 3 Expressive UI, and more. Here's everything we know.

Samsung Project Moohan: Everything we know about Samsung's Android XR headset
By Michael L Hicks last updated
A new contender Samsung Project Moohan will be the first Android XR headset to make its debut in 2025. Here's everything we know so far.

Suunto Run challenges the Forerunner 165 and PACE 3 for budget running watch crown
By Michael L Hicks published
Run affordably Suunto is giving Garmin and COROS a run for your money as one of the best cheap running watches we've seen.

I built an Ultrahuman smart ring by hand. Here's how they're made
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Ever wonder how they squeeze so many components into a smart ring? I got to see how every part is added — and then did it myself.

Motorola's Moto Watch needs to start living up to the brand name
By Michael L Hicks published
Moto Meh A licensed partner made the old budget Moto Watches. Now Motorola is stepping in, but it's not clear yet how they'll do things differently.

It looks like Samsung isn't holding anything back for One UI 8 Watch, and I'm pumped
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly A much-needed injection of excitement is coming to the stale Galaxy Watch 8 formula, according to leaked code for the upcoming One UI 8 Watch update.

Ultrahuman promises '100%' US Ring Air sales from Texas, despite Oura's ITC challenge
By Michael L Hicks published
UltraDrama Ultrahuman will make over a thousand smart rings in Texas per day, up until Oura and the ITC (possibly) make them stop.

Best smartwatch with LTE 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Always connected 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.

Best GPS smartwatches and fitness trackers 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Accurate positioning We have rounded up the best GPS watches with all-systems or dual-frequency satellite data and fitness trackers with built-in GPS.

Google has a winner in YouTube Premium Lite; now it just needs more plan options
By Michael L Hicks published
Lite Plus YouTube Premium Lite has reintroduced me to the joys of ad-free YouTube, and now I'm just hoping Google gives Lite users more options.

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED is a pretty face on a classic experience
By Michael L Hicks published
Trust your instincts Despite the AMOLED face lift, the Instinct 3 remains the niche option for adventurers who care more about battery life than smarts.
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