
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

Preorder NOW to get Meta's Limited Edition Oakley smart glasses before everyone else
By Michael L Hicks published
Going, going... Meta's limited-edition AI glasses are available now, but you'll have to wait for the cheaper Oakley HSTN models without gold accents.

HURRY! Amazon sold out, but Best Buy has an even better Galaxy Watch Ultra deal at $325 off for the next few hours only
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Prime Day 2025 The Galaxy Watch Ultra is available for what a "normal" Galaxy Watch will cost, giving you a premium experience for $325 off!

Which Quest 2 & 3 accessories work with Meta Quest 3S?
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Save on accessories Anyone switching from the Quest 2 to the Quest 3S will mostly need new accessories, with a few exceptions, and not every Quest 3 accessory is compatible.

With no Galaxy Ring 2 at Unpacked, is this $100-off Galaxy Ring deal a steal or a trap?
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 At 25% off, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is much more compelling. But should you be spending that money on a Galaxy Watch 8 instead?

I'm buying this 67%-off Ray-Ban Meta cable to solve my battery problems
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 My Ray-Ban Meta glasses don't last to their four-hour estimate anymore; this extension cable could give them extra juice on the go.

Meta's Elite Strap with Battery deal is too expensive, so I'm buying this strap instead
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 Most of the best Elite Strap alternatives for the Quest 3 and 3S are discounted for Prime Day, but this is the best option (and one of the cheapest).

Want a Fenix 8? Save $490 on an Epix Pro Gen 2 and get nearly all the same perks!
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 The Garmin Fenix 8 has a Prime Day deal, but you should save 45% on an Epix Pro Gen 2 instead of 9% on a Fenix 8.

Oura's two biggest rivals just SLASHED their best smart rings for Prime Day
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 The RingConn Gen 2 and Ultrahuman Ring Air are the best subscription-free Oura Ring alternatives, and Prime Day deals have made them much more affordable.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025): Everything you need to know
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Ultra 2.0 We weren't sure if we'd get a Galaxy Watch Ultra 2; instead, Samsung rereleased the Watch Ultra with some minor changes and a fourth color.

That painful Galaxy Watch 8 price jump makes this Watch 7 Prime Day deal look even better
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Amazon Prime Day The Galaxy Watch 8 doesn't have enough compelling upgrades to justify spending $349 when the Watch 7 is just $159.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: Price, specs, new features, Watch 8 Classic, and more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Classic redux Both Watch 8 models take after the Ultra in looks and the Watch 7 in hardware. Here's everything that's changed (or unchanged).

I wear these running earbuds every day, and they're 30% off for Prime Day
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 I love my Shokz OpenFit 2s and would recommend them at full price. Now they've gotten their first major discount thanks to Prime Day 2025.

Skip the Balance 2 — these Amazfit Prime Day deals are too cheap to pass up!
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 Amazfit watches have gotten pricier but better over time. Thanks to Prime Day, the Balance and Active 2 prices have fallen to what frugal athletes want.

Our favorite AR glasses just got their first big discount for Prime Day
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 Our XREAL One reviewer said that their "biggest downside is the price." But with a Prime Day deal and extra 5%-off code, it's more affordable.

Garmin Forerunner 970 review: A Fenix-ified 965
By Michael L Hicks published
For serious athletes The Forerunner 965 was my favorite running watch ever; after a month with the Forerunner 970, I've fallen for its new perks, but not everyone needs them.

I'm buying Garmin's most attractive watch for my fiancée, thanks to this Prime Day deal
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day 2025 The Garmin Lily 2 Active is a hybrid model that doesn't sacrifice basic smarts or fitness tracking, while still looking attractive.

Despite its drawbacks, I can't help but love the Venu X1 for one obvious reason
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Garmin took this watch in a direction its core fans won't like, with a price and features that'll scare off casuals. So who is the Venu X1 for?

Best Garmin watch 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Best for fitness training These are the best Garmin watches across the Venu, Forerunner, Instinct, Fenix, and other Garmin lineups, for every type of athlete.

The best Fitbits to buy in 2025
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 Android smartwatch 2025
By Michael L Hicks last updated
The best Out of dozens of options we've reviewed, our expert Android team has picked out the best Android watches available today.

Gemini will be the key to the Galaxy Watch 8 — or the latest fad that can't save Wear OS
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly The Galaxy Watch 8 should arrive at Unpacked next week, and the long-awaited Gemini upgrade will be the key to its success (or failure).

Every COROS watch has a major vulnerability exposing your private data
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Not good A major Garmin watch rival has acknowledged the breach, which gives hijackers access to all the data on your watch, including notifications.

Meta Quest 3S vs. Quest 3: More similar than you'd expect
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Affordable or premium? The Meta Quest 3S might not share looks with the Quest 3, but it's more capable than you might expect, especially for the price.
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