
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

Best fitness watch of 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.

People have waited years for a 'Garmin sleep band.' Will Garmin get it right?
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Garmin v. Whoop A "Garmin sleep band" would fill a niche that long-time Garmin watch owners have waited years for, but will Garmin emulate Whoop in the worst ways?

You need a fitness reboot this summer. Your smartwatch has the tools you need.
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday I walk through everything you should do in June, July, and August to rekindle your workouts and health goals, using your smartwatch.

The leaked Galaxy Watch 8 Classic design is bold, but I have concerns
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly Fusing the Galaxy Watch Classic and Ultra lineups into one design could be the right move, but the Watch 8 Classic may scare long-time fans away.

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!

Wear OS 6: Material 3 Expressive, One UI 8 Watch, Gemini, & more
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Future of Wear OS Wear OS 6 looks to be the biggest update yet, based on everything Google revealed. Here's everything we know about next-gen Pixel and Galaxy Watch software.

I put Garmin Trails and May update features to the test; they have room for improvement
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Garmin Trails tries to challenge dedicated apps like AllTrails and Komoot, and while the tools are there, it has early pain points.

Our favorite cheap smartwatch just got cheaper with a whopping 25% discount for Memorial Day
By Zachary David, Michael L Hicks published
Cheap Smartwatch An affordable smartwatch gets even cheaper.

Wear OS 6 will bring Facer back onto Android smartwatches; we asked Facer what to expect
By Michael L Hicks published
Google I/O Once Wear OS 6 rolls out, your Galaxy or Pixel Watch will get access to 3rd-party WFF faces again. We interviewed Facer's CPO for more info.

I got an early look at Wear OS 6 on the Pixel Watch 3 at Google I/O
By Michael L Hicks published
Wear OS Weekly I stumbled upon Pixel Watch 3s loaded with Wear OS 6, and tested its new scrolling, Tiles, and dynamic theming.

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.

Android XR: Everything you need to know
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Gemini unleashed Android XR is the software that Samsung and other brands will use for XR headsets, AR glasses, and smart glasses. We'll explain how it works.

I tested Samsung Project Moohan at Google I/O, and it's a true Apple Vision Pro rival
By Michael L Hicks published
I/O XR Project Moohan may end up too expensive for most people, but its resolution, comfort, controls, and apps blew me away.

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.

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.

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!

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.
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