Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch: An In-Depth Review

For fans of Google’s Wear OS platform in particular, the Fossil Gen 5 wristwatch is a noteworthy development in the field of wearable technology. For people who are committed to the Android ecosystem, this smartphone is a good choice because it manages to combine fashionable style with helpful functionality. The Fossil Gen 5 is still a good option even if it was released a few years ago because of its cheap price and extensive functionality, particularly in view of potential savings on occasions like Amazon Prime Day.

Specifications of the Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch

Excellent Design and Construction

Whether worn on a formal event or a casual trip, the Fossil Gen 5’s elegantly modest design goes well with a range of personal preferences. For people with larger wrists, its totally circular 44mm display—which is marginally larger than that of other smartwatches—is more appropriate. Essential for a smartwatch, the design makes the display simple to see. The 22mm standard width of the several strap types—silicone, leather, or stainless steel—that users can choose from makes customising with any third-party strap of their choice simple.

Highlights of the Show

The Fossil Gen 5 has a 1.28-inch AMOLED display with a 416 x 416 pixel resolution, giving a 328ppi pixel density and a clear, colourful visual experience. Everything is made clear and readable as a result, even pictures. It is important to note, nonetheless, that glare—a typical problem with many smartwatches—can occasionally cause the display to struggle in strong sunlight.

Performance and Controls

Considering performance, the Fossil Gen 5 is excellent. Because of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, it runs with a quickness that makes navigating through menus and apps feel smooth. Users who are already plugged into Google’s ecosystem will discover a familiar interface thanks to Wear OS’s inclusion as the operating system. Three tactile buttons on the side of the watch improve its usefulness; the centre button acts as a spinning crown to cycle between apps or notifications.

Connectivity Features

The Fossil Gen 5 has certain health tracking flaws, even with its robust design and software capabilities. Especially, it doesn’t include an ECG monitor, which is a feature that smartwatches are starting to include more and more. Though basic fitness tracking is enough for casual users, it may not meet the needs of more health-conscious people. It does, however, come with a heart rate monitor and Google Fit connectivity. Quick and easy contactless payments are made possible by the smartwatch’s use of Bluetooth and NFC, which allows services like Google Pay.

Battery Life and Chargers

Any smartwatch’s battery life is one of its most essential features, and the Fossil Gen 5 does relatively well in this department. With regular use, it can last a whole day on a single charge, but durability will differ according to usage habits like GPS use and always-on display settings. The device is charged simply and hassle-free thanks to the magnetic charging puck.

Visual presentation

The Fossil Gen 6 retains much of its predecessors’ design, including a black-cased round wristwatch with interchangeable watch bands (such as the standard black flexible plastic watch bands) and a crown on the right side surrounded by pusher buttons on each side. Though it would take close inspection to distinguish, the new wearable differs from the Gen 5 in a few ways.

The little ridge on the bezel’s edge is the most apparent change; it’s undoubtedly more visually appealing than the Fossil Gen 5’s smooth edges, and before you ask, it doesn’t rotate like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, so it’s more of an aesthetic touch you might or might not value. Although the lack of a physical dial on the Gen 6 isn’t really a problem, considering how few smartwatches have one, it is a little frustrating that the bezel design appears to rotate.

Now that two guard lugs are rising to flank the crown, which looks a little flatter and wider, perhaps the crown will catch less on sleeves or pockets. Clicking into the crown will still take you to your app list. It’s actually rather lovely to browse through apps and menus, and twisting the crown provides just enough resistance to prevent it from rotating by accident.

Medical and physical fitness

While not a fitness smartwatch, you can use the Fossil Gen 6 for workouts and runs. The Cardiogram app periodically measures and charts heart rate; there’s a blood oxygen-tracking tile if you swipe left on the home screen and a workout tile that just asks if you’re inside or outside without specific exercise tracking. That’s about all of the first-party health software.

To monitor exercise and other health indicators, most users will, therefore, most likely choose the Google Fit suite of apps that comes loaded by default. That includes other apps for tracking heart rate, sleep, fitness objectives, and meditative breathing in addition to Fit Workout, which offers tracking of several workout types.

Working out with the Gen 6 is perfectly acceptable; the buttons and design aren’t overly complicated, and the device isn’t too heavy to be in the way—though you will feel it when you swing your arms vigorously. The Fossil Gen 6 is suitable for strength training or other low-movement exercises. Still, a more slimline fitness-minded smartwatch like the older Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 or the newer Fitbit Versa 3 may be gentler on the wrist during extended workouts.

Conclusion

The $295 Gen 5 Fossil Smartwatch is one of the best Wear OS devices on the market, which doesn’t say much these days. iPhone users should think about getting the $399 Apple Watch Series 5, which has better exercise features and a much more advanced app experience. The $199 Apple Watch Series 3 will save you money if you don’t need its heart health features. The $199 Fitbit Versa 2 is another excellent option if you’re into exercise. It has a SPO2 sensor, tracks sleep, and has a battery life of up to five days. $280 at last Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active2 ($279.99) looks and feels like the Apple Watch, but it’s better for smaller wrists and comes with LTE so that you can use it without your phone nearby.

FAQs

With what operating system is the Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch equipped?

Wear OS from Google powers the Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch.

Can I make calls right from the Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch?

If your watch has LTE or is Bluetooth-connected to your phone, you can make calls straight from it.

Can I submerge the Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch in water?

Up to 30 metres of water resistance make the watch appropriate for swimming but not for high-impact water activities.

How long does the battery hold a charge?

Usage determines battery life; however, under normal use, the Fossil Gen 5 may run for up to 24 hours on a single charge.

Can I make NFC payments with it?

Indeed, Google Pay NFC payments are supported with the Fossil Gen 5.