The Fossil Sport could be a US watch that does not fear

I have a lot of frineds who hate apples and who always ask me: "What is the best Wear Wear smartwatch?" And I always say the same thing: they are all bad. That said, the Fossil Sport could be the first candidate for the title.

Why this? Currently, Sport is the only Android watch, besides the Montblanc Summit 2, powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 3100 processor. This is a big problem, because Wear OS, as a platform, has long been retained by relying on the Snapdragon 2100, already two years old. So, theoretically, Sport should be able to last longer and take on more energy-consuming functions. . And on paper, that seems to be the case. It has heart rate monitoring, NFC payments and GPS – not too bad for a smart watch for $ 255.

The big question is whether the new Sport processor can support the redesign of WearOS launched by Google a few weeks ago. I tested the changes last month on a slightly older Fossil watch and I was not impressed by the slow charging times and the battery life of less than 12-15 hours. So far, I've spent only a few hours with the sport, but already the faster scan gives me a little hope that it will not be a total failure.

In classic Fossil fashion, the sport is chic and I liked the fact that he did not deny my wrist. You can choose between a 41mm or 43mm case, and the nylon case with aluminum top ring makes it a lightweight watch. The old Android watches tended to be bulky, heavy and obviously not intended for women or any rigorous activity. This kind of looks like the old LG watch style, which is a good thing since it was one of the least bulky smart watches of the last two years. The main difference is that the design of the Sport is based on a nice touch of color, a bit like the Baby-G watches of yesteryear.

And then, sport comes in many colors. Six to be exact: blush, black, gray, light blue, red and neon. Each is matched with an equally colorful strap, so much so that looking together at a group of them was like being slapped with a rainbow. And if the basic color combinations are not enough, there are also about six strands of exchangeable turf. So, when Fossil says that the combinations are endless, I'm here to confirm that, yes, the only limit is the budget of your accessories.

Whether it's good for the sport, I have doubts. Wear OS watches are not known to be very accurate with tracking, and they are far better at monitoring your overall activity than being a hardcore fitness buddy. I'll have to see how it goes in the tests, but I would not be shocked if the Fossil Sport was more of a casual watch with a sporty look than a real fitness smartwatch. He is however resistant to swimming, so go for the swimmers!

In terms of specifications, the sport is nothing extraordinary. You get your usual altimeters, accelerometers, gyroscopes and ambient light sensors. The Sport also features a fast charging feature, which allows you to go from zero to 80% of the battery in 50 minutes.

Speaking of drums, Sport is supposed to have "more than 24 hours" of autonomy. It depends on how it is used, but the 12 to 16 hours spent on older Android watches running the 2100 processor are still disastrous. And if you do not mind smart features, Fossil said that once the sport battery reaches 9%, the battery will go into a limited time environment that can last for about five days. Nevertheless, the "improved life of the battery" is somewhat disappointing. No matter how you cut it, a wave of 24 hours or more is far less than the 3 to 5 days you get with the Samsung Galaxy Watch and literally every Fitbit. That said, the Apple Watch still persists in this one-day category. It is clear that people still do not ask for more, even if it is not practical.

So when I say that Fossil Sport could compete for the title of best Wear OS smart watch, do not be fooled. For now, it has the best processor to run a reshaped Wear OS wear system, its design is stylish and easy to use, and you do not need a second mortgage on your home to buy one. It's a low bar – which tells you everything you need to know about Wear OS watches – but stay tuned to see if the Fossil Sport has erased it.