But we have also been impressed by the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5, which runs the latest Qualcomm platform, and leads the way in terms of performance and battery life.
Away from Wear OS, though, there are also smartwatches from Garmin, Huawei and Amazfit that all work brilliantly with Android phones.
Here are our top pick Android watches from our reviews.
With its clever dual display, circa four days of battery life, and consistent accuracy across the board, the TicWatch Pro 5 is of the best smartwatches of 2023.
The combination of the new Snapdragon W5+ and the dual-layer low-power display yield unrivalled battery life on Wear OS, and a glimpse into the future of the platform.
However, the 50.15 x 48 x 12.2mm case also houses an enormous 628mAh battery, and this isn’t suited to small wrists.
The Snapdragon W5+ also powers a rapid and snappy display, and finally something akin to the Apple Watch.
But battery life outstrips even the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, and while we have incoming Pixel Watch 2 and Galaxy Watch 6, it looks strong against the rumored specs of both those contenders.
Workout smarts also passed the sniff test, and this is a smartwatch that can be used by runners and fitness fans. VO2 Max, blood oxygen and HR data was all on point during our testing.
There are a few minor foibles such as the wild amount of preloaded apps and lack of Google Assistant (for now).
Buyer’s should also be mindful about the upcoming Wear OS 4 update. Last gen TicWatch users have been left waiting for an upgrade to Wear OS 3, and this sends a concerning message.
But this is the best Wear OS smartwatch going, and easily recommended.
The Galaxy Watch 6 is now official – but the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro remains part of the current gen line-up. And because it delivers better battery life than the newer Galaxy Watches, and will get the Wear OS 4 update in the coming months, it might be the best one to choose.
It comes with an outdoor adventure spin, with added features for mapping and GPX navigation. But we wouldn't call this a serious outdoor watch, and is really a Galaxy Watch with a proper battery life.
Samsung has included a 590mAh capacity battery that it says should deliver a typical usage time of up to 80 hours, which is just over 3 days. That's compared to just 40 hours (max) from the new Galaxy Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic.
It also quotes 20 hours of GPS battery life, which was borne out in our testing. It's an impressive upgrade, that puts it head and shoulders above most Wear OS watches.
With three-day battery life, and the benefits of Wear OS apps and ecosystem, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a better smartwatch than the standard Watch 5 and Pixel Watch – but expect to pay more.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic: specs and features
Available in 43/47mm
Works with Android only
Up to 30 hours battery with always-on display
Run on Wear OS 4 with Samsung One UI Watch 5
Samsung Pay or Google Pay support
Download apps from Google Play Store
ECG, PPG, GPS and BIA sensors
LTE options
Swim-proof 5ATM water resistance
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic gets our nod of the new pair – and thanks to the year hiatus for the Classic brand, it feels fresher and worthy of its premium price tag.
With a top screen, great health features and, of course, the rotating bezel, it's everything the Galaxy Watch should be. The rotating bezel works perfectly with Wear OS, whether that's getting glanceable information from Tiles or notifications straight from the watch face.
There are two sizes 43mm with a 1.3-inch AMOLED and 47mm with a 1.5-inch display.
The bezel makes for a more refined look in our minds and emulates a proper watch. And the faux leather strap is good for sweaty and looks like the real deal.
Fitness and heart rate data were pretty flawless for steady workouts, as was sleep tracking data, which has been revamped for Wear OS 4. It's one of the best Wear OS devices for workout data, and the new heart rate zone tracking is a cut above any other smartwatch on this platform.
As are the health features. ECG, blood pressure, and body index tracking were also excellent – and put it in a class of its own for mainstream smartwatches.
The only thing that doesn't make the Watch 6 Classic an automatic recommendation is battery life. We got around 30 hours with the always-on display turned on, and an hour workout will deplete around 20%.
So you could experience significant battery anxiety if you plan to use the new sleep-tracking features.
Battery life: Up to 40 hours/30 hours with always-on display
Water rating: 5ATM
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
Display: 1.3/1.5-inch Super AMOLED
Weight: 33g (44mm)
The standard Galaxy Watch 6 smartwatch is available in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm, catering to various wrist sizes.
Featuring either a 1.5-inch or 1.3-inch AMOLED display, depending on the case size, you'd be hard-pressed to find a superior display on competing devices.
Running on Wear OS 4, Google's latest operating system version, the Galaxy Watch 6 introduces advanced sleep-tracking capabilities and heart rate zone training modes. It enhances an already impressive collection of health and fitness features, including ECG and blood pressure monitoring. However, it's important to note that these additional features require a Samsung phone for full functionality.
Upon assessment, we found the sleep, heart rate, and workout features to deliver impressive performance.
Yet, there are a couple of aspects preventing this smartwatch from being truly top class.
The battery life falls short, lasting just slightly over a day with the always-on display option enabled. An hour-long run can drain the battery by approximately 20%, potentially endangering its ability to make it through a night's sleep without a top-up.
Another factor to take into account is that Samsung has already introduced Wear OS 4 to the Galaxy Watch 5. Given the minimal upgrades in hardware, opting for the previous-generation Samsung smartwatch might be a prudent choice.
Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED display; 450 x 450 resolution
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
Weight: 36g
Chipset: Exynos 9110
Battery life: 24 hours
Phone compatibility: Android
Storage: 2GB RAM; 32GB internal
Water rating: 5ATM
The first-ever smartwatch from Google is also our first look into what will likely end up being the full-fledged mascot for Wear OS by the time a second or third generation rolls around.
The debut model, however, is a real mix of highs and lows. Fitbit integration is absolutely superb, and provides a much friendlier place to track and view data (in comparison to Google Fit), while we also think it's one of the best-looking smartwatches on the market.
It's a little disappointing there's no larger case size, but it really suits men or women with small-to-medium wrists. In fact, given the wide range of bands available already, we think it rivals the Apple Watch for being the easiest smartwatch to dress up for formal occasions and down for exercise.
The real Pixel problem is battery life – and in our testing it often couldn't last a full day, which is inexcusable in 2023. That's why we still think most people will be better served with one of Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 models.
With Fitbit's best-in-class sleep tracking at the heart of the experience, the 24-hour battery life - which is a very generous estimation - just isn't enough to power the experience.
Still, if charging frequently isn't something you think will concern you greatly, this is a clean, classy watch that does a great job of delivering the refreshed Wear OS 3.5 software.
The Montblanc Summit 3 is more than a Wear OS smartwatch with an eye-watering price tag - it’s a Wear OS 3 smartwatch with an eye-watering price tag.
The question of whether you can justify paying $1,290/£1,105 for a smartwatch that runs the same software and boasts the same features as a $300 one has existed ever since Tag Heuer joined the fray in 2015.
That’s a question for individuals, but the Summit 3 is an exquisitely designed Wear OS smartwatch, which offers both leather and silicone straps in the box.
A Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100+ processor runs the show, and Montblanc supplies a surprisingly strong suite of apps for fitness and sports tracking, which expand on the basic experience provided by Wear OS. However, many key metrics are only viewable on the watch itself.
And the company has also excelled at offering a series of watch faces that manage to match the class and style of the exterior.
There are issues here, however. Battery life is around a single day but sometimes expired earlier, which was hugely frustrating. And we experienced some laggy software, which surprised us given the hardware on offer.
There’s no questioning that the Summit 3 is a fantastic-looking smartwatch, but at this price, we expect better performance.
Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+ processor
NFC for payments
GPS, heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor
Speaker and microphone
3ATM water-resistant rating (safe for swimming)
The Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch was announced alongside a new generation of Michael Kors Access devices with both now able to access Wear OS 3 and above.
This new version of Wear OS is a big boost for Fossil, bringing new features, better usability, and longer battery life. At some point, as Fossil told Wareable exclusively, this may even include Fitbit integration.
It's equipped with Qualcomm's newest Snapdragon Wear 4100+ platform that keeps performance zippy, but it doesn't quite push battery life beyond a day or two max.
The Gen 6 comes in eight different looks for both men and women, including a new Wellness Edition, covering those who prefer a sportier look or something better suited to formal occasions. There's the option of 44mm and 42mm case sizes, as well, with both featuring stainless steel cases that measure 11.5mm thick.
Both host a 1.28-inch, AMOLED touchscreen display, and like previous Fossil smartwatches, feature a rotating crown and two programmable pusher buttons.
It brings adds a SpO2 sensor to monitor blood oxygen levels.
In terms of battery life, you can still only expect 24 hours, but fast charging means it will only take an hour to full battery. And 30 mins will get you 80%.
It's still a great look like previous Fossil smartwatches and improvements have been made with heart rate and sports tracking. It's now all down to that new Wear upgrade to see how it can make this good smartwatch an even better one.
Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4: specs and features
Works Android and iOS
Google Wear OS
42mm and 45mm case
Interchangeable watch straps
Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100+ processor
Speaker and microphone
Google Pay
Built-in GPS
Heart rate monitor
Waterproof up to 50 meters in depth
Up to 24 hours of battery
The Tag Heuer Connected E4 is the smartwatch choice for anyone that wants the look and feel of a luxury watch and is willing to pay big for it.
The Swiss watchmaker offers its latest watch in 42mm and 45mm case sizes with stainless steel cases and ceramic bezels and the kind of heft that tells you you've got a high-grade watch on your wrist. You do also get the option of metal and gym-friendly silicone straps if you want to keep it on for exercise.
You might want to keep it on for that gym time as Tag goes big on sports tracking with its slick dedicated app and sensors like heart rate and GPS also included. There are new guided workouts available here too, though tracking in general isn't the best we've used.
Wear OS runs the show and with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4100+ processor powering performance, it should be upgradeable to Wear 3.0. Right now, you've got a mixed software experience with some great Tag watches thrown in for good measure and overall slick performance that feels ready for that new Wear.
You're still getting a day out of the battery with the 45mm version creeping into another day to give you more time. It's an improvement on the last Tag smartwatch, but not a massive one.
If you want a beautiful-looking smartwatch with great watch faces and slick overall performance with the new Wear OS to come, then there's plenty to like about the Calibre E4.
Ever since the first Falster smartwatch, the range has been one of the leaders in terms of design. And the Falster Gen 6 is no different. At just 11.5mm thick and powered by the latest Snapdragon Wear 4100+ processor, it's great looking and has the right level of power to be fit for an upgrade to Wear OS 3.
The Falster Gen 6 also boasts microphones and speakers to make calls over Bluetooth and interact with Google Assistant with Amazon Alexa integration on the way.
There's a heart rate monitor and pulse oximeter sensor to measure blood oxygen and battery life remains at the 24-hour mark, with the capacity to push it further in a more restrictive battery-saver mode.
It has dropped in size to 41mm but retains its premium case with great-looking strap options to choose from. There's also a smaller 1.2-inch AMOLED screen compared to its predecessor but as a combination, it feels like a great fit for men and women.
The beauty of the Falster is still its slim form factor. There aren't many smartwatches that look and feel so sleek on the wrist.
Not so beautiful is the heart rate sensor, which isn't anywhere near good enough for those keen on workout data or health monitoring. However, the design and strap don't feel like something you want to get sweaty with, so this is well-suited for users looking for form over function.
If you're not sure that Wear OS is quite what you are looking for in a smartwatch, there are a host of different options you can consider instead that work well with Android smartphones and do it by offering a different software experience to Google's own.
Amazfit GTR 4
Wareable
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Amazfit GTR 4: specs and features
46mm case
1.43-inch AMOLED
466 x 466, 326ppi
Android and iOS
12 days battery life (moderate use)
PPG, SpO2
Dual-band GPS
Swim-proof 5ATM water resistance
With a sleek and masculine design, the Amazfit GTR 4 is a good-looking, light, and wearable smartwatch that impressed during our testing.
Amazfit quotes 12 days, which would be achievable by turning off many of the bells and whistles. We found it offers a solid week of battery life with heavy use, which is impressive.
Health and fitness features are also on point, as we’ve found across Amazfit devices. The running tracking is excellent powered by accurate dual-band GPS, and there is plenty of in-depth analytics such as VO2 Max and recovery stats.
The Zepp Health platform also pushes out to Strava nicely, so you can make the GTR 4 do a pretty good running watch impression. And it even supports breadcrumb GPX navigation, too.
However, by opting for a smartwatch outside of the Wear OS stable, you do forgo some of the more advanced features of a smartwatch. That means no NFC payments and no music streaming apps.
And there isn’t a selection of third-party apps, which makes Wear OS and Apple’s watchOS such potent platforms.
Of course, for many a week of battery more than makes up for the loss of those features. And the GTR 4 comes heartily recommended.
The Amazfit GTS 4 (and GTR 4) launched at the back end of 2022, and still impresses in a crowded field of mid-range smartwatches.
Priced below Wear OS smartwatches and boasting an official 8 days of battery life (we got 4-5 in testing), there are plenty of reasons for the GTS 4 to turn heads.
The square AMOLED display turns heads with its 1.75-inch 390x450 resolution, and it’s very unisex, bordering on the feminine.
Amazfit punches above its weight in terms of activity, health and sports tracking – all of which are displayed clearly in the excellent Zepp app. Beyond basic steps and heart rate, it will analyze Training Effect and there are running-based metrics such as VO2 Max, EPOC, stride length, and cadence.
With the ability to sync data to Strava, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to runners – that want more of an all-rounder smartwatch than a Forerunner 55.
The downsides are the price tag is now close to entry-level Garmins and even the Galaxy Watch 5 sits just above.
But with a superb battery and decent activity tracking offering the GTS 4 (and its round-faced masculine sibling the GTR 4) – the Amazfit duo is a strong choice.
The Venu 2 sees Garmin push on with a sporty smartwatch option that remains the only relatively cheap watch in its collection to host an AMOLED color display.
With the latest Venu, Garmin has made that screen bigger and better, boosting battery life, and offering new features that make it a better fit for people that don't spend their lives on a bike or out running.
Crucially, it's made welcome changes to the interface, which we were critical of on the first Venu, and makes it a much nicer watch to use.
In typical Garmin fashion, it's comfortable tracking runs, rides, and pool swims and also has modes for golf and climbing. Garmin has now added dedicated modes for HIIT-style training, too, and new muscle maps for strength training to make sure you're working on all those key muscle groups.
Wareable
The Garmin Venu 2 Plus adds a microphone and speaker to offer smart assistant and call support
You're getting everything Garmin has to offer in smartwatch features including payments, a built-in music player with offline support, and now room for 2,000 songs. There are notifications for Android and iOS users, but still no sign of LTE here.
Battery life comes up a little short against Garmin's claims, though is still good for a week, with the always-on mode getting you an extra day compared to the original Venu. It's also more than what you'll get on Wear OS watches and Samsung watches, which is important to keep in mind.
If you want the Venu model that offers the most smartwatch features, there's the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, as well, which adds a microphone and speaker to allow you to make calls via Bluetooth and access your phone's smart assistant from your wrist.
Those extras on the Venu 2 Plus come at a big premium ($449/£399), so that's why we'd still opt for the Venu 2 unless you want those voice features. We think it's a great option without them with solid smartwatches and sports tracking skills on offer for less money.
The Huawei Watch GT 3 is the successor to the GT 2 that launched in 2019, and sees Huawei's mid-range watch option brought closer to its flagship Huawei Watch 3.
It shares the same Harmony OS, which offers a small selection of apps – and also brings running-specific modes and metrics, a personalized AI running coach with a specific running index score, VO2 Max, and a new Healthy Living feature that reminds you to drink water and other essentials.
It comes in two size options, with bigger screens and improved resolution the headline enhancements are here. The GT 3 inherits the haptic crown from the Watch 3 and uses an upgraded version of Huawei's TruSeen optical heart rate sensor to improve accuracy.
Along with over 100 sports modes, Huawei has added the dual-band five-system GNSS technology it introduced on the Huawei Watch 3 Pro to improve outdoor tracking accuracy. There are basic navigation features here, as well, and new personalized training plans and an AI coach will give it a big appeal to runners.
Battery life lasts for weeks, as opposed to days, which is a great selling point, though it will drop closer to a week in heavy usage.
The Watch GT3 is a powerful smartwatch that takes many of the features of the flagship and a more appealing price – there's a lot to like here.
The Huawei Watch Fit 2 might look like a fitness tracker, but it's every bit a smartwatch and manages to cram in a lot of the big features included in Huawei's GT series models.
It runs on Huawei's Harmony OS platform, which means access to Huawei's AppGallery, though it looks like a scaled-back version of the one on Huawei's bigger watches.
And it still gives you somewhere to view notifications, make calls over Bluetooth, pile music onto it, view weather forecasts, and pick from a rich collection of watch faces. It might be slim, but there's a vibrant, clear AMOLED screen for those features to live in.
Fit features in the device's name, and that's because you get plenty here to track your sporting and exercise pursuits. There's also are over 97 workout modes, including running, swimming, and cycling. Huawei has brought over all of the great training insights and features from its Huawei Watch GT3 and GT Runner watches and even gives you scope to import routes and use basic breadcrumb navigation to explore new areas.
While it doesn't offer the same 14-day battery life as Huawei's pricer watches, it's still fit to last a week even with power-intensive features in use.
It looks great, is packed with features that work well, and is priced well below many of the smartwatches on this list. If you don't want to spend big but still want top features, the Watch Fit 2 can certainly deliver on that front.
TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS (upgrade to Wear 3.0 TBC)
TicWatch E3 (upgrade to Wear 3.0 TBC)
Which Wear 2.0 devices won't get the upgrade?
There are scores of existing Wear OS devices that won't get the new Wear OS 3.0. Those devices remain on sale, but will only get crucial support for the next couple of years.
This does make them hard to recommend, so that's why we've chosen not to include them in this list.
They still work fine, and won't lose any current features. And if you like the smartwatch and the price fits, it still could be a good choice.
But it's important to know what you won't get. Google seems to be creating a two-tier Play Store, where Wear 3.0 apps are better than Wear 2.0 ones. And many are not compatible with older devices. Even Google's own new Wear 3.0 apps, such as Google Maps, cannot be used with the majority of its Wear OS smartwatches.
So, if you don't want to feel like a second-class smartwatch citizen, it might be best to stay clear of older Wear 2.0 watches, and choose one of the newer devices – or a non-Wear OS watches entirely, which we'll also list below.
Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry’s latest releases.
Following a stint as Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable's considerable how-to-based guides.
He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror.
