In the ever-expanding market of smartwatches, Fossil has joined the fray with its latest offering, the Fossil Gen 6. Priced at $279, this smartwatch boasts a premium design and an impressive range of features.
I’ve had the opportunity to wear the Fossil Gen 6 for the past couple of weeks, and in this in-depth review, I’ll share my thoughts on its design, display, software, fitness tracking capabilities, and battery life.
Design And Display:
Starting with the design, the Fossil Gen 6 offers a single size option, featuring a 44-millimeter case and a standard 22-millimeter strap. This size proved to be a good fit, even for my small wrists.
While not as slim as the Galaxy Watch 4, the Gen 6 still maintains a reasonable weight and comfortable feel. One of the standout features of Fossil smartwatches is the extensive range of designs available, and the Gen 6 doesn’t disappoint.
The case color and bezel style can be customized, offering a level of personalization that is appealing to many users. Additionally, there is a wide variety of straps and bands to choose from, including a metal bracelet option. However, I found the metal bracelet to be oversized, requiring resizing with proper tools.
The Gen 6 is water-resistant up to 3 atmospheres, and the screen glass feels remarkably thin yet durable. I’ve put it through accidental bumps and scratches, and it has remained unscathed.
The 1.2-inch AMOLED display is colorful and vibrant, with sharp text and visuals thanks to its high pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. The display is bright enough for outdoor visibility, and the always-on display feature is a welcome addition.
WearOS features:
Moving on to the software, the Fossil Gen 6 comes pre-installed with Wear OS version 2, which is a disappointment considering the availability of the newer Wear OS 3 on other smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.
Google has limited the rollout of Wear OS 3, and there is no specific timeline for its arrival on the Gen 6. However, despite this setback, Wear OS 2 still offers a decent user experience. The user interface is smooth, thanks to the powerful Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chipset, which is unfortunately underutilized by most other smartwatches.
Customization options are plentiful, allowing users to personalize their tiles and notifications. The touchscreen and rotating dial provide intuitive navigation, although the rotating dial is not as comfortable as Samsung’s rotating bezel. The presence of Google services by default is a positive aspect of the Gen 6, especially for users who prefer Google’s ecosystem.
Mic And Speaker:
The Gen 6 includes a built-in speaker and microphone, allowing users to make and receive calls through their smartphones. The speaker’s sound quality is clear and loud, considering its size, and the microphone performs well in noisy environments.
Google Assistant is fully supported, and users can interact with it using their voice or through the touchscreen. Additionally, Fossil plans to introduce Amazon Alexa support in the future, offering an alternative for users who prefer it.
One notable omission on the Fossil Gen 6 is the ability to copy music to the watch for standalone playback with Bluetooth headphones. While this may not be a significant drawback for some, those looking to enjoy music during workouts without their smartphones will be left disappointed.
Fitness tracking:
On the fitness tracking front, the Gen 6 provides basic 24/7 monitoring, including heart rate and SpO2 measurements, as well as step counting. Google Fit is the default fitness app, but other options, such as the Nike Run Club app, are available through the Google Play Store.
The built-in GPS is reliable, and sleep tracking is also included, although I found the battery life limitations made it necessary to charge the watch every night rather than wearing it for sleep tracking.
Battery Life:
Speaking of battery life, the Fossil Gen 6‘s endurance is one of its weaker aspects. With moderate usage and features like the always-on display and 24/7 tracking enabled, the watch barely lasted a full day.
Verdict:
Even with several optimizations, it was difficult to stretch the battery life beyond a single day. Charging the watch to 80% only took half an hour, but reaching a full charge required nearly an hour. If you require longer battery life, the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS might be a more suitable option.
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In conclusion, the Fossil Gen 6 offers a premium smartwatch experience with its stylish design, vibrant display, and smooth user interface. The inclusion of Google services by default is a significant advantage for those entrenched in Google’s ecosystem.
However, the limitations of Wear OS version 2 and subpar battery life are noticeable drawbacks. If you value customization options and prefer Google’s services, the Fossil Gen 6 is a compelling choice.
However, if longer battery life is a priority, you may want to explore alternative options. Overall, the Fossil Gen 6 provides a solid smartwatch experience, albeit with some compromises. Buy yours now here>>
