What wearables do the Android Authority team use? (2023 edition)

Wearables have turn out to be a agency a part of the trendy tech fanatic’s package. Whether or not it’s the utility of the smartwatch or the concentrate on well being that health trackers present, we’re a fan of units that present extra information than simply the time. Though these units aren’t our major focus, many people personal a wearable. So, how has this previous yr formed our wearable habits? I polled my colleagues to search out out what units they’ve used for the previous yr. Listed here are the wearables the Android Authority group members wore in 2023.

The outcomes

Under, we’ve revealed the outcomes organized by wearable model, gadget mannequin, and per-device scores out of 10.

The unique Google Pixel Watch left loads to be desired, and that was to be anticipated. Early rumors hinted at a half-baked but aesthetically putting smartwatch, and that’s precisely what we acquired. Nevertheless, a yr later, Google launched a extra full smartwatch competing towards the perfect Put on OS presents.

To show simply how good the Pixel Watch 2 is, it’s the preferred daily-wear smartwatch among the many Android Authority group.

Options Editor Rita El Khoury speaks of those enhancements:

It fees quicker so I don’t go away it on the charger for hours on finish and ultimately neglect to place it again on. It’s additionally turning into extra tightly built-in with Pixel telephones because of synchronized DND and bedtime modes, widespread alarms, full battery notification, and Watch Unlock. And better of all, it has automated train detection so I don’t need to manually begin monitoring each time I’m going out for a stroll.

Editor C. Scott Brown highlighted the watch’s improved battery life and the inclusion of the Fitbit Sense’s well being and health options. “It’s really Google’s first nice wearable,” he notes.

Many people use Pixel smartphones, so the seamless integration the Pixel Watch 2 gives is one other constructive. Managing Editor Oliver Cragg notes that the wearable works nicely with the Pixel 7 Professional, and this easy and satisfying practicality is what all of us search.

We’ve lengthy regarded the Apple Watch as the perfect smartwatch cash should purchase. Granted, you’ll want an iPhone and a deep appreciation for Apple’s walled backyard, however there’s no denying the mixing with different units and intensive good and well being options make it a stellar wearable. Apple, alongside Google, proved to be the preferred smartwatch model amongst my colleagues, with 27.2% of the share.

Senior Author and resident wearables knowledgeable Kaitlyn Cimino, who upgraded from the Collection 8 in 2022 to the Collection 9 this yr, rated the brand new smartwatch a 9/10 — the loftiest ranking.

The Apple Watch’s seamless integration with iPhones can’t be beat and the App Retailer is intensive sufficient for all my wants. It additionally presents an intuitive person expertise.

Senior Author Aamir Siddiqui praises the Collection 9’s “complete well being options” however rated the gadget barely decrease than Kaitlyn. This is because of “iPhone lock-in” and questionable sleep monitoring accuracy.

Notably, one staffer continues to be rocking the Collection 8. Video Producer Damien Wilde nonetheless finds the older era splendidly snug on the wrist however needs to make use of the watch with an Android telephone.

Whereas Google and Apple’s wearables grew in reputation with the group in 2023, one other two marques are surprisingly absent. Fitbit has had a troubled yr, particularly when factoring in its late 2022 launch of the Sense 2 and Versa 4. These two units stripped options from their predecessors, turning each into glorified health trackers relatively than well-rounded smartwatches.

Notably, C Scott Brown was wholly dedicated to Fitbit however jumped ship this yr to a different Google property, the Pixel Watch 2:

I wore the unique Fitbit Sense for 3 years straight as a result of there was nothing higher than it available on the market, so it’s been a pleasure to lastly have one thing completely different, even when I wanted to sacrifice battery life to get it.

I beforehand rocked the Versa 2 and Sense 2, however whereas the previous is now on my companion’s wrist, the Sense 2 was far too fundamental for my needs.

• Regardless of ranking the Apple Watch Collection 9 extremely, Kaitlyn Cimino nonetheless laments the gadget’s battery life. That is true with a number of Google Pixel Watch 2 house owners, suggesting that even the perfect units might be improved.
• Considered one of my colleagues makes use of a hybrid smartwatch. Notably, Contributor and Drone Rush Government Editor Jonathan Feist makes use of the Fossil Hybrid HR. It’s by far the oldest watch from these we surveyed and the one hybrid wearable.
• One other fascinating outlier got here from Contributor Edgar Cervantes, who makes use of a Zepp Z day by day. The premium smartwatch, launched in 202o, is among the many prettiest watches on any of our arms. Nevertheless, Edgar laments the dearth of good options however enjoys its simplicity, notifications mirroring, and Alexa help. Curiously, Edgar needs to improve to a hybrid watch — the Citizen CZ Good Hybrid.
• Solely 5 of us are utilizing current-gen smartwatches. Slightly below half of my colleagues put on a latest-generation smartwatch, with many others hanging on to their units somewhat longer.
• Whereas he makes use of an Android telephone as his day by day driver, Oliver Cragg is contemplating an Apple Look ahead to his subsequent wearable (utilizing an iPhone for setup solely) however nonetheless sticking with Google’s Pixel telephones.
• None of my colleagues at present use a health tracker as their day by day wearable.
• Editor Hadlee Simons says the perfect factor about his Suunto 7 is that it has onboard storage for music. He additionally notes that he’ll seemingly miss out on shopping for a brand new smartwatch as wearables aren’t for him.
• Neither of the 2 Samsung smartwatch customers in Staff AA makes use of a Galaxy Watch 6 or Galaxy Watch 5. As an alternative, each Options Author Calvin Wankhede and I exploit Galaxy Watch 4 fashions. Whereas I really feel the watch continues to be greater than adequate to be used in 2023, Calvin notes that the One UI 5 Watch pores and skin usually feels heavy on the getting old gadget.

Whereas we’re all principally pleased with our units, we’re nonetheless trying to the yr forward for a possible wearable improve. So, which units are on Staff AA’s radar?

I’ve been wanting in the direction of the Garmin camp for fairly a while. The Garmin Venu 2 Plus was my preliminary goal for its concentrate on well being and wellbeing, however the Venu 3 is a extra enticing, trendy choice. I’m pleased to attend for a rumored Garmin Venu 3 Plus, however I don’t essentially see myself retaining a Put on OS watch sooner or later.

Google is slowly gathering smartwatch followers. Judging by our group’s appreciation of the Pixel Watch 2, a number of of my colleagues are excited in regards to the Pixel Watch 3. A minimum of 5 recommend they contemplate Google’s subsequent smartwatch, with one particularly wanting in the direction of the Pixel Watch 4.

On the opposite facet of the fence, the Apple Watch continues to be the goal of a number of of my colleagues. Kaitlin Cimino seems to be ahead to the Apple Watch X and hopes the corporate addresses the road’s battery life struggles.

Aamir Siddiqui offered one of many extra intriguing solutions. Regardless of utilizing the Apple Watch Collection 8 and an iPhone, he’s contemplating the OnePlus Watch 2 or one other Put on OS wearable:

The opposite Android supporting watch that I had was the Galaxy Watch 4, which not gave me full 24hr battery life. So I’m hoping for a extra succesful Android smartwatch that lasts via a day.

Lastly, Jonathan Feist isn’t contemplating a smartwatch or health tracker in any respect. As an alternative, he’s excited for an additional format altogether:

I’m truly most excited for wearables that connect to garments. I normally use my Fitbit or Xiaomi items by simply slipping them right into a pocket. That’s correct sufficient of a step counter for me, and I don’t actually care about ongoing information assortment in any other case. Construct these theoretical wearables right into a waistband, sock band, or possibly the neckline of a shirt, make them snug and take away the obstacles to make use of. I put on a belt virtually each day, and it’s the fixed most tightly match piece of garments hooked up to my physique, let’s make the most of that.

What smartwatch or health tracker do you put on day by day? You should definitely tell us which mannequin and why within the feedback part beneath.