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
MediaTek announces Dimensity 9400 flagship, an 'enabler of AI' with a 35% power boost
By Michael L Hicks published
Flagship power The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 has a new Cortex-X925 main core clocked at 3.62GHz, ready to handle 2025 flagship phones.
This Quest 3 128GB deal is sold out almost everywhere — but I've found the remaining few
By Michael L Hicks published
Going, going, gone! Why buy the Meta Quest 3S when you can snag the Quest 3 and all its upgrades for $70 off — before it's gone for good?
I review smartwatches across every brand — these are the 5 Prime Day watch deals I'd personally buy
By Michael L Hicks published
Save time & money Prime Day 2024 has some excellent smartwatch deals...and some I'd skip and wait for a better one on Black Friday. These are the watches I've tested and would recommend NOW.
Not a typo — score 21% OFF the best Android watch of the year during October Prime Day!
By Michael L Hicks published
Best watch, best deal The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 44mm is $69 off (...nice) for Amazon Prime Day 2024, less than two months from its launch.
All-time low! Our fave Pixel Watch 2 drops to $170.99, half the price of a Watch 3
By Michael L Hicks published
Prime Day The Pixel Watch 2 is over $75 off for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days — don't wait!
Forget the Watch 7, last year's Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 has crashed to its lowest price EVER for Prime Day
By Michael L Hicks published
All-time low The Galaxy Watch 6 falls short of the Galaxy Watch 7 in a few key areas, but if you're looking for the better Prime Day 2024 deal, the Watch 6 (46% off) offers better value than the Watch 7.
I like rucking, but be careful before you go all-in on this popular workout fad
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday Before you spend upwards of $500 on a Goruck rucksack, weighted plates, hiking boots, and other tech, make sure you know what you're getting into.
Which Quest 2 & 3 accessories work with Meta Quest 3S?
By Michael L Hicks published
Save on accessories Anyone switching from the Quest 2 to the Quest 3S will mostly need new accessories, with a few exceptions.
Meta Quest 3S vs. Quest 2: New brain and eyes, old tricks
By Michael L Hicks published
New gen, old tricks Quest 2 owners will find the Meta Quest 3S vs. Quest 2 are nearly twins once you put them on, but not everything is the same.
Meta Quest 3: Specs, new storage sizes, 3 vs. 3S, and everything you need to know
By Michael L Hicks last updated
MR + VR The mixed-reality Meta Quest 3 is getting some changes thanks to the Quest 3S. Here's what you need to know about it.
Best smartwatches for battery life 2024
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, in some cases, several weeks (or more!) per charge.
Best VR headsets 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Extend your reality Whether you have a gaming PC, a PC, or nothing at all, we show you which headset is best, and what you should be putting your money towards for VR.
Best Apple Watch alternatives 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
A new start Whether you're switching from iPhone to Android but want a comparable experience to Apple Watch, or if you own an iPhone but want something new, we're here to help you choose!
How many Meta Quest 3S game enhancements and exclusives will there be?
By Michael L Hicks published
Better immersion There are about 100 Quest 2 games with Quest 3 enhancements thus far, and that number should only grow now that the Meta Quest 3S has arrived.
Meta's brain-reading EMG band and leaked smartwatch would be a perfect match
By Michael L Hicks published
Sunday Runday We've heard years of reports Meta wants to make a smartwatch. If it combined its watch with its EMG band, it would be a game-changer.
As exciting as the Meta Quest 3S is, I'm just as excited for its third-party Meta Horizon siblings
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Meta's time to shine We expected Meta to talk more about third-party Horizon OS headsets. Meta VP Mark Rabkin explained why they weren't on stage.
The Amazfit Helio Ring just became a much more compelling smart ring
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Subscription free Our Amazfit Helio Ring review had some complaints about price and subscriptions; now Amazfit is addressing those complaints and making it more affordable and sub-free.
Meta Orion hands-on: This is the future of AR glasses
By Michael L Hicks, Nicholas Sutrich published
Meta Connect 2024 We had the chance to test out Meta's Orion AR glasses at Meta Connect prior to Mark Zuckerberg's on-stage reveal. Here's how they work, what we loved about them, and what still needs work.
How to use the Google Pixel Watch 3 run coaching features
By Michael L Hicks published
Couch-to-5K Some Google Pixel Watch 3 run coaching tools require Fitbit Premium, while others are free. Here's how to use them all.
Massive COROS update fixes its new bike computer, ends support for one of its best watches
By Michael L Hicks last updated
RIP PACE 2 The COROS September update, which adds gear tracking, nap detection, and more, is the last for the PACE 2, one of our favorite cheap running watches.
Best GPS smartwatches and fitness trackers 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Accurate positioning Today, most smartwatches have GPS, but GPS alone can be inaccurate and skew your results. We've rounded up the best smartwatches and fitness trackers that go beyond GPS for more accurate data.
Best Samsung watch 2024
By Michael L Hicks last updated
Galactic greatness The best Samsung watch is normally the Galaxy Watch 7, but you may want a Classic bezel, Ultra battery, or last-gen prices.
Suunto Race review: Near the finish line
By Michael L Hicks published
Marathoner AMOLED The Suunto Race just needs a few key software add-ons and HR/ GPS accuracy tweaks to nail the formula for an excellent mid-range running watch.
Deal hunting for smartwatches is annoying, but there's an easy life hack
By Michael L Hicks published
It may feel premature to worry about Black Friday (and it is), but you already have the information you need to decide which smartwatch you're going to buy. A little research is all you need.
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