
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

Not sold on Meta's Ray-Ban Display glasses? These two XR glasses will cost you $300 less!
By Michael L Hicks published
The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses are technically impressive, but these XR glasses may be a better (and cheaper) fit for some people.

These new Meta Quest games reminded me that VR magic hasn't faded yet
By Michael L Hicks published
AC thVRsday Mark Zuckerberg and James Cameron are excited to pivot Quests to focus on 3D films, but Quest game devs haven't stopped making incredible games.

Meta Connect 2025 live: the big Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses news, how to watch, what to expect, and everything from the big show
By Michael L Hicks, Nicholas Sutrich last updated
Connecting the dots From how to watch to what Zuckerberg will show off on stage, our Meta Connect 2025 guide will get you ready for a smart glasses party.

Inside the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses: A firsthand look at these impressive AI glasses
By Michael L Hicks published
Meta Connect 2025 From Meta AI demos to beta Neural Band controls, I got a clear idea of what you can expect from these premium Ray-Ban Display glasses.

The Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses are exactly what I've been waiting for
By Michael L Hicks published
Meta Connect 2025 Meta made a sportier, longer-lasting pair of smart glasses with better AI shortcuts designed with athletes in mind — and I ran with them.

We tested the best LTE smartwatches and these are the picks you need to check out in 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.

The Venu 4 makes major changes to Garmin's health and fitness coaching, and we're intrigued
By Michael L Hicks published
Mainline competitor The Garmin Venu 4 is Garmin's attempt to keep up with brands going all-in on medical advice, while also sticking to its coaching strengths.

Garmin's Instinct Crossover AMOLED: A premium hybrid watch for outdoor enthusiasts
By Michael L Hicks published
Analog AMOLED Fans of the original Garmin Instinct Crossover or Instinct 3 have a new rugged hybrid option.

Best smartwatches for battery life 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Leading the charge With some smartwatches, you need to recharge every day or two. But these smartwatches last for a week, sometimes several weeks (or more!) per charge.

There's only one way Amazon's rumored AR glasses will compete with Ray-Ban Meta
By Michael L Hicks published
Needs reFraming Amazon needs to convince its deal-loving customers to spend hundreds more than usual. It'll have to follow Meta's Ray-Ban template to pull that off.

Virtual Reality: A complete guide to VR headsets, AR glasses, and more
By Nicholas Sutrich, Michael L Hicks last updated
Ultimate Guide This is the Ultimate Guide to learn everything you need to know about VR headsets, VR glasses, and everything else!

These Samsung Galaxy Tab models support the S Pen in 2025
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?

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro key upgrades over the Fenix 8: Is it worth it?
By Michael L Hicks published
Fenix fight! Before you buy the Fenix 8 Pro for cellular, satellite, and a display upgrade, make sure you know what else has changed from the Fenix 8.

Meta Quest 4 and Quest 4S: Everything we expect from the Quest 3 successor
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Thinking ahead The Quest 4 most likely won't arrive until 2026, but we already have some hints of what to expect courtesy of Mark Zuckerberg, Meta, and leakers.

The Suunto Race 2 is a tough Garmin Forerunner 570 rival for focused runners
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday For anyone who thought the new Garmin Forerunner 970 and 570 were too expensive and focused on the wrong things, the Suunto Race 2 is what you're looking for.

Google Pixel Watch 4: All the information you need to know about the latest Pixel wearable
By Michael L Hicks, Namerah Saud Fatmi last updated
Same look, new perks No more leaks: The Pixel Watch 4 is officially here, and we have the rundown of every key hardware upgrade and new feature.

Hypertension alerts on Apple Watch just put every smartwatch rival on notice
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Every smartwatch brand wants to "save lives" and get people healthier. By detecting hypertension, Apple is making a major statement.

Meta Quest 3: Specs, 3 vs. 3S, games, accessories, and more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
MR + VR From Meta Quest 3 specs to the best accessories, game enhancements and differences from the Quest 2 and 3S, our guide covers all the essentials.

Wear OS 6: One UI 8 Watch, Material 3 Expressive, Gemini, & more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Future of Wear OS Wear OS 6 may be Google and Samsung's most significant upgrade to Android watches since OS 3. Here are the highlights and the watches due to receive it.

Garmin watches' exploding prices and popularity go hand-in-hand, for better or worse
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday I break down why Garmin raising prices has somehow led to greater sales, and whether people are overpaying for their Garmin watches.

This battery 'beast' smartwatch is a ridiculous 69% off during Amazon's leftover Labor Day sale
By Michael L Hicks published
Absurdly cheap Spending only $109 on a Wear OS watch? That's a darn rare deal to find, let alone one that lasts at least three days per charge.

Best Wear OS watch 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Wear this If you want a feature-packed and stylish Wear OS watch, you have plenty of options from manufacturers such as Samsung, Google, Mobvoi, and more.

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.
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