Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle HR: An alternative to fitness watches
Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle HR runs on Google’s Wear OS, which means it can be used with both iPhones (although features are limited there) and Android
NEW DELHI : Fossil’s 5th generation Carlyle smartwatch retains the circular shape of the predecessor but looks more refined with its stainless steel casing and has more legroom with a slightly bigger 1.3-inch screen. It is light, comfortable to wear and also water-proof up to a depth of 3ATMs, or 30 meters.
While it has three circular buttons on the right panel, the touchscreen is more intuitive. Simple swipes and taps get almost everything done.
The smartwatch runs on Google’s Wear OS, which means it can be used with both iPhones (although features are limited there) and Android. Also, it has a very familiar interface, with useful features such as smartphone notifications, translation on-the-go, access to Google Assistant and the Play Store.
When connected, one can receive calls and speak directly from the watch or reply with texts or WhatsApp messages. Access to Play Store means there will be no shortage of apps and games to play with. The 1.3-inch AMOLED colour screen looks vivid and is bright.
Though it runs on the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 chipset, it has twice the RAM and memory over its predecessor, which is why it feels smoother to use. The only major limitation is the battery backup.
Fitness-related features feel limited since barring the heart rate monitor, there aren’t any advanced tracking features such as ECG or blood pressure monitor. The watch supports Wi-Fi and has in-built GPS, which means one can use it to access internet and track activity.
The Fossil Gen 5 has multiple battery modes. We got 12 to 14 hours of backup in the Daily Mode. It also supports wireless charging.
Overall, the Fossil watch feels like a complete smartwatch with all the important features. It’s an apt alternative to fitness-focused watches such as Fitbit’s Ionic, etc.
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PROS
■ Big, bright screen is easy to view
■ Waterproofing and rugged build
■ Supports both Android and iOS
CONS
■ Battery backup not on par with rivals
■ Google’s Wear OS lacks features
■ Not suited for fitness-focused users
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