Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The Fossil Gen 5’s custom WearOS enhancements stand out from the crowd

Google has been notoriously slow at sending out meaningful software updates to WearOS, so Fossil has taken things into its own hands and delivered its feature update to the Gen 5 range of smartwatches. Fossil calls them “enhancements,” and there are five to look out for: A Wellness app, sleep tracking, VO2 max data, a new phone app, and a new set of extended battery modes.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

But wait, didn’t Google buy Fossil’s smartwatch division? Indeed it did, and while the details around what Google actually purchased are confusing, there’s a chance what we’re seeing on the Gen 5 smartwatch is a part Fossil, part Google endeavor.

Recommended Videos

The question is, does it make WearOS on these watches better than before. And is it a reason to buy one?

The features

I’ve been using the Fossil Garret HR smartwatch with the new enhancements onboard. If you’ve used a Fossil smartwatch you’ll know they come with some pre-installed apps from the brand already, and the Wellness app is another to add to the collection. Wellness is a Google Fit alternative, and includes a basic indoor or outdoor workout tracker, a sleep tracker, and a VO2 max report.

Fossil’s Wellness app when it tracks a workout Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

As a workout tracker, it’s considerably more basic than Google Fit, but it’s the changes made to the way the watch handles fitness tracking that are more compelling. The Wellness app has been adapted to use the Snapdragon 3100’s co-processor to handle heart rate and movement tracking, which in theory lowers the demand on the main processor, and lessens strain on the battery.

WearOS smartwatches have always had trouble with battery life, and although advancements have been made recently, lasting a full day was often impossible. On its own, there doesn’t seem to be a big difference in battery performance, but if you use it with the new Custom Battery mode, you just may get a noticeable improvement.

Fossil’s Custom battery mode Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The Custom mode joins the existing Extended and Time Only battery modes, and it lets you turn off the features you don’t use and keep the ones that are important active. On my watch, I used the Always-on screen, tilt-to-wake, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and location. I deactivated NFC, always-listening mode for Google Assistant, sounds, and touch-to-wake. This suits my use now, and I like being able to toggle location (a serious battery hog) on and off accordingly. It’s accessed quickly through the swipe-down Settings menu, and it’s simple to use, with clearly marked toggles.

Combine this with the Wellness app, and moderate battery life increases should come — but don’t expect big changes. For me, it seems to last a little longer than it did before the update arrives. I’m talking about up to an hour, rather than an extra day.

I saw more noticeable benefits on the Suunto 7, which uses a similar technique to manage fitness tracking, after Suunto worked closely with Qualcomm to send some of the fitness tracking duties towards the co-processor. It seems Fossil’s approach hasn’t replicated that success.

Fossil’s VO2 Max monitoring Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

What else do you get in the Fossil update? There’s now VO2 max tracking, and a new sleep tracking feature.

Which smartwatches will get the update?

Fossil says all Gen 5 watches will receive the new features in an update. This includes the three Fossil-branded Gen 5 smartwatches, the Julianna HR, the Carlyle HR, and the Garrett HR, plus watches based on the same platform from designer brands including Micheal Kors. The software was first sent out to compatible smartwatches in August, but paused soon after while a bug was squashed. It has since restarted and should be available on the above watches now.

Tempted?

Fossil’s enhancements aren’t going to win anyone over who wasn’t a fan of WearOS before. We do see value in using the new Custom extended battery mode and the Wellness app together to increase battery life, even if it’s a very moderate improvement so far. But WearOS owners are starved of attention, so anything is better than nothing.

Fossil’s new features aren’t a reason to buy a Gen 5 over an Apple Watch, or a more focused health watch like the Suunto 7. But if you’re weighing a Gen 5 against another lifestyle WearOS watch, then they are more compelling, if only for their greater level of control over battery life.

What WearOS watches really need is Google itself putting these features into WearOS, so smartwatches not made by Fossil can also benefit. Google has announced a WearOS update for the fall, and while the promised setup improvements and app speed increases will be welcome, there’s no indication the Gen 5 changes will also be included. However, because Google’s update will come to Fossil smartwatches, the Gen 5 will still be one step ahead of the competition.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Fossil’s first Wear OS 3 smartwatch looks like a better (and cheaper) Pixel Watch
fossil gen 6 wellness smartwatch wear os 3 pixel watch

Fossil today launched the Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Edition, its first Wear OS 3 watch. It's a minor update on something we've already seen before, with the major non-aesthetic updates here being driven by the Fossil Wellness app.

The Fossil Gen 6 is reasonably powerful. It's got a Snapdragon 4100+, 1 GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, and a 1,3-inch AMOLED display — all wrapped in a 44mm chassis. The connectivity specs are here, with Bluetooth 5.0 and all the usual suspects. There's 3ATM water resistance and sensors for your heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. These all play with the Wellness App and allow you to keep track of your vitals while exercising, sleeping, and passively. Fast charging is also included here, and it'll take your battery to 80% capacity in 30 minutes as with other Fossil watches.

Read more
Wear OS 3 is finally coming to these older smartwatches this month
Fossil Skagen Falster Gen 6 on the wrist.

Wear OS 3 has been supported by Samsung smartwatches for over a year at this point, but now it's finally coming to Fossil devices in just a few days. While the launch of the Google Pixel Watch today has put Wear OS 3 back in the spotlight, Fossil smartwatches are the first to be upgraded from the previous Wear OS 2 version.

While it's certainly exciting that Wear OS 3 is coming to more devices, it's important to note that it won't be headed to all of Fossil's lineup. As reported by Android Central, the upcoming Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Edition will be launching with Wear OS 3; the Fossil Gen 6, the Michael Kors Gen 6, and the Skagen Falster Gen 6 will all be receiving the OS update together when the Wellness Edition launches. Luckily, fans won't have to wait long as the update rolls out on October 17.

Read more
The Google Pixel Watch isn’t great, but it could still save Wear OS
Google Pixel Watch on a wrist.

Last week, the Pixel Watch launched. As Google's first premium smartwatch, it fills up the void that has existed for eight long-drawn years. During this time, Android users have felt the absence of a powerful smartwatch that offers an unadulterated Android experience, competing against the Apple Watch. Google arrives late to the party, at a time when brands already imagine successors to smartphones, and Apple and Samsung have strongholds in the market.

The Pixel Watch stands against the odds, and the first impressions lend no mercy. Things could have been much different had Google set a timely foot in the segment. So, a few basic questions crop up: Is it too late for the Pixel Watch to get the success that Google claims it to be worthy of? Can Google salvage that? Is this the end of Wear OS?

Read more