If you’re in the market for a new Wear OS smartwatch and happen to like classically styled watches, then the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle is going to be for you. Fossil is one of the few Wear OS watchmakers out there that continues to produce not only good looking wearables but also adds top-of-the-line specs to the equation. The Carlyle has a classic look that can work for almost any occasion with swappable bands, snappy performance, and a speaker for calls. Fossil has some other great choices as well. Whether it’s a sports focus, fashion, or even a hybrid watch — Fossil has an option for you.
Best Overall: Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle
While Wear OS may have some shortcomings, the Carlyle from Fossil does a fantastic job of making the best of an okay situation. From a style standpoint, the Carlyle has all the makings of a classic watch with its round casing and three-button layout. For navigating the OS, you have a rotating crown that lets you scroll through notifications, apps, and make selections. Programmable buttons flank the crown on either side that can be mapped to specific apps or functions of your liking.
Back to the case for a moment, the 44mm watch comes in two color choices with a stainless steel silver as well as a black steel option. They can each be customized with a standard 22mm watch band allowing a bit of flexibility to better morph with you as your style demands. Considering the amount of tech packed into this watch, the device is surprisingly slim and light which lets it nearly becomes an afterthought until you need it.
As for the tech inside, you’ll get a vibrant AMOLED display that offers an always-on view. The main drawback of this display is that in direct sunlight, it can be a tad on the dark side. Inside the watch comes with the newest Snapdragon 3100 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, NFC for payments, and GPS. Along with the GPS for tracking, there is also a heart rate monitor to aid in fitness tracking. Throw in 3 ATM water resistance and the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle is a complete package of style and performance that helps to make this the best Fossil has to offer.
Pros:
- Snapdragon 3100 and 1GB RAM
- Lightweight and stylish
- Microphone and Speaker
Cons:
- Battery life could be better
- The screen is a bit dim in daylight
Best Overall
Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle
- $234 from Amazon
- $295 from Best Buy
- $295 from Fossil
Classic out, future in
The Carlyle is easily the best Fossil smartwatch for most users. It can go anywhere while getting you through the day in style.
Best Value: Fossil Gen 4 Venture
Much like our overall winner, the Fossil Gen 4 Venture offers classic watch stylings with robust internals coming in a just as solid of a discount. The Venture has a 40mm case with multiple color options and 18mm swappable watch bands, letting you find a combination that best fits your style. The stainless steel case houses several sensors, including NFC, GPS, and a heart rate monitor. You also get the same benefits of the three-button layout as we did from the Carlyle with two programmable as well as the rotating crown.
This watch comes with the aging Snapdragon 2100, and while it is still a reliable processor, with only 512MB of RAM the watch can be a bit sluggish at times. The vivid display is a welcome setup, albeit dim in direct sunlight, with its exceptional colors and always-on option. The included 3 ATM water resistance means your watch is safe from spills, showers, and can even track your swimming.
So, if you’re looking for a great looking watch and would like to save some money, the Fossil Venture is a good one to check out.
Pros:
- Stylish and solid build
- NFC and GPS
- 3 ATM water resistance
Cons:
- Older processor and only 512MB RAM
- Battery life is lacking
Best Value
Fossil Gen 4 Venture
- $185 at Amazon
- $129 at Fossil
Good looking watch, and a palatable price
The Fossil Venture is a Gen 4 watch, but it still has a lot to offer. You’ll have all of the key sensors with slightly older tech.
Best for Fitness: Fossil Sport
When it comes to a fitness-focused watch, there are a few key factors that need to be met. The watch needs to have sensors for data tracking, be lightweight, and a battery to get through your training sessions. The Fossil Sport has all of that and then some. Fossil has come up with a watch that not only runs the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 processor but looks good while keeping up with your workouts.
The design of the Sport features a 41mm two-tone case with a nylon base and an anodized aluminum top. These material choices allow for lots of color options from standard silver and grey to red and blue, with pink and gold in the mix as well. Utilizing the same three-button layout as the Carlyle, the Sport has the style and functionality to keep up with you in any situation.
The Sport goes toe to toe with the Gen 5 Carlyle in many aspects, but when it comes to the internal specs, the one area it falls short is within the RAM category. Though they opted for the newest processor, unfortunately, it’s hampered by the inclusion of only 512MB of RAM, which causes the OS to be far more sluggish than one would like. Aside from this misstep, Fossil crammed GPS, heart rate tracking, 5 ATM water-resistance, an altimeter, NFC for payments, and more into a very lightweight watch. So if you want a watch with some pizazz while you get your sweat on, the Fossil Sport is just the ticket.
Pros:
- Lots of color options and super lightweight
- Included microphone and speaker
- Latest Snapdragon 3100 processor
Cons:
- Only has 512MB RAM
- Struggles in the battery department
Best for Fitness
Fossil Sport
- $149 at Amazon
- $150 at Walmart
- $275 at Best Buy
Sweatin’ with tech
Fossil’s Sport has all the sensors for tracking workouts. It’s only missing a bump in the RAM and better battery life.
Best for Fashion: Fossil Gen 5 Julianna
With the Julianna, Fossil has packaged everything the Gen 5 Carlyle has to offer into a wearable with just a bit more fashion sense. The Julianna gets the same Snapdragon 3100 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, microphone, speaker, and all the other excellent internal specifications — while wrapping them up in a stand-out package.
Julianna offers two case styles for its 44mm size in both a black and rose gold; then a rose gold with rhinestones encircling the case. The watch also includes Fossil’s three-button layout and a standard interchangeable 22mm watch band. The Julianna is a smartwatch for a person who wants to avoid FOMO while looking great doing it.
Pros:
- Unique fashion style for the case
- Snapdragon 3100 and 1GB RAM
- Inclusion of a speaker and microphone
Cons:
- The display is too dark in direct sunlight
- Unsatisfactory battery life
Best for Fashion
Fossil Gen 5 Julianna
- $199 at Amazon
- $199 at Walmart
- $199 at Fossil
Look good while staying connected
Generally, fashional smartwatches tend to skimp on tech. Not so with the Julianna. The tech is as good as its design.
Best Hybrid Watch: Fossil Hybrid HR
Sometimes you want to enjoy smartwatch features while still enjoying a classic design. That’s where hybrid smartwatches come in. These unique designs allow you to sport a traditional aesthetic while still having a solid set of features. It may not be identical to some of the other advanced options on this list, but the Fossil Hybrid HR has just enough features to earn it the “smart” title.
One of the key differences is that you won’t have a touchscreen. This means you’ll need to be comfortable doing all of your navigating with the three side buttons on the watch. While we’re on the topic of the screen, you also won’t have a colorful display. If it’s any consolation, this results in over two weeks of battery life.
You’ll also have the option of customizing the display to meet your preferences. You can quickly glance at all of the information that matters to you, like daily steps, weather, and smartphone notifications. Other than standard activity/sleep tracking and heart-rate monitoring, don’t expect in-depth data like many other smartwatches offer. It’s called a hybrid for a reason: you get the best of both worlds. Some of the other features you’ll be giving up include GPS options, mobile payments, and music storage.
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Activity/health tracking
- Customizable display
- Over two weeks of battery life
Cons:
- Features are somewhat limited
- No touchscreen
- No GPS options
- Not for those who want in-depth tracking
Best Hybrid Watch
Fossil Hybrid HR
- $195 at Amazon
- $196 at Best Buy
- $195 at Walmart
Let’s give it a hand(s)
Looking to enjoy some amazing smartwatch features without sacrificing battery life or style? The Fossil Hybrid HR is a great pick.
Bottom line
There are so many smartwatches out there, and a good number of them are running Google’s Wear OS software. However, not all Wear OS devices are created equal. Fossil has a wide variety of smartwatches, and many of them are quite good.
While on the pricey side, the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle is worth it for a device that balances excellent style with excellent performance. This is why the Fossil Gen 5 Julianna is also a fantastic pick if you want a high performing watch with some added fashion flair.
Saving a few bucks while looking good is never a bad thing, and if your performance demands aren’t too high, then you’ll likely be happy with the Fossil Gen 4 Venture. When fitness is your focus, then you need a watch that does the same — and the Fossil Sport is there when you need it.
Should you lean towards minimalist in terms of a smartwatch and would like a more classic style than tech-forward, you’ll be well taken care of by the Fossil Hybrid Commuter. Fossil’s long history in traditional watches allows them to utilize their lineage of style and craftsmanship to offer a smartwatch to fit you regardless of your needs.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Chris Wedel is a fan of all things tech. Living in the rural midwest with his wife and two young boys can make finding ways to stay connected with all the gadgets and streaming services complicated, but it’s a welcomed challenge. Bring it on!
Courtney Lynch is a freelance writer at Android Central. She’s obsessed with all things health, fitness, and music. At any given time she can be found checking out the latest and greatest gadgets while simultaneously petting her dog and sipping iced coffee.
