Fossil has unleashed a new hybrid smartwatch at CES 2023 in Las Vegas.
The Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid Wellness Edition brings the familiar Fossil hybrid look, which we’ve previously seen with the Hybrid HR.
It features the familiar E-Ink display, located on the dial behind the physical watch hands. However, it’s been given a substantial design overhaul, and the thicker bezels of the stainless steel 44mm case, look a lot more like a classic wristwatch than the 2020 original Fossil Hybrid HR.
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The 44mm case is on the large side in terms of being unisex, but it’s far sleeker than the company’s full-fat Wear OS smartwatches.
The Gen 6 Wellness packs in VO2 Max tracking, SpO2, and heart rate monitoring – and there’s a bigger focus on fitness, with automatic detection of workouts.
The benefit of hybrid smartwatches is big battery life, and the Gen 6 Hybrid Wellness Edition offers two weeks between charges, even with the advanced tracking metrics.
The Wellness Edition also introduces a new Wellness Gauge watch face – and which will also display heart rate zone information. There’s no GPS here, and a hybrid watch doesn’t feel like the most natural partner for HIIT workouts, but the watch will offer live feedback on your performance.
It’s also only 3 ATM water resistance, which as we explain in our waterproofing guide, means it’s not suitable for swimming, or even the shower.
However, just like the company’s Wear OS devices, it also included the Alexa voice assistant on the wrist.
The Wellness Edition is offered in three colorways, with black, silver, and gold options. The straps are interchangeable 20mm silicon bands.
It’s another showing of commitment to the hybrid smartwatch platform, in which Fossil is now the major player.
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James is the co-founder of Wareable, and he has been a technology journalist for 15 years.
He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014.
James has been at the helm of Wareable since 2014 and has become one of the leading experts in wearable technologies globally. He has reviewed, tested, and covered pretty much every wearable on the market, and is passionate about the evolving industry, and wearables helping people achieve healthier and happier lives.