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Android Authority
2 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Deal: Record 50% price drop on the Google Pixel Watch 2
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority As hardware continues to plateau, stepping back a generation in a premium line of devices isn't the sacrifice it used to be. It's often the best way to find a bargain, and that's never been truer regarding the Google Pixel Watch 2 than it is today. The LTE model of the fine smartwatch is down to an all-time low of $149 right now on Amazon, as long as you're happy with the black colorway. Google Pixel Watch 2 (LTE) for $149 ($151 off) This deal is listed as 50% off, which would be reason enough to check it out. But this version of the wearable sold initially for $400, so you're saving $250 against the retail price. There are also deals on the Wi-Fi model, but it's no cheaper than the LTE variant in this case, so you might as well treat yourself to the extra connectivity. Google Pixel Watch 2 (LTE) Google Pixel Watch 2 (LTE) Wear OS 4, advanced health sensors, and upgraded training features elevate the Pixel Watch 2 The Google Pixel Watch 2 retains the first model's successful features and refines several of the original's shortcomings. Added sensors, upgraded training tools, and a few key changes suggest a more finished product. Google's Wear OS 4 runs flawlessly, while advanced health tools from Fitbit join the lineup. See price at Amazon Save $150.99 Limited time deal! While not the latest Google smartwatch anymore, the Pixel Watch 2 offers a refined smartwatch experience with a smooth Wear OS 4 interface and the rapid Snapdragon W5 processor. It boasts fast charging, with 50% battery in about 30 minutes and a full charge in under 75 minutes. Battery life comfortably lasts 24 hours, even with the always-on display. Fitness fans will appreciate upgraded health sensors, heart rate zone training, and automatic workout detection, while the Safety Check feature adds peace of mind for solo outings. A sleek design, vibrant display, and helpful Google and Fitbit features make this a strong choice for Android users looking to upgrade their wrist game. Ready to aid your summer routine with a fitness buddy? The widget above takes you to the offer.
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
The best use cases for each ChatGPT model
Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority While ChatGPT has existed in various forms for some time, its true mainstream success began with the release of GPT-3 in 2020. Since then, ChatGPT has evolved significantly, both for better and worse. Although the tool is now more useful than ever before, it's also become somewhat confusing. Depending on your subscription level, you might have up to eight different models to choose from, making it tricky to identify which is best suited for your task. As someone who has been a ChatGPT Plus user since subscriptions first became available, I rely on ChatGPT frequently. Sometimes it's for brainstorming, proofreading, personal organizing, or other productive activities. Other times, it's purely for entertainment — such as creating alternate timelines or pondering random philosophical ideas. Setting aside the fact that I clearly need more friends, these interactions have given me ample experience with which model works best in various situations. The truth is, there isn't one perfect use case for each ChatGPT model, as many overlap. Still, let's take a closer look at the seven models currently available, exploring the ideal scenarios for each. GPT-4o is great for generalist tasks, especially for free users Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Best for : General-purpose tasks, including editing, questions, and brainstorming : General-purpose tasks, including editing, questions, and brainstorming Availability: Free or higher ChatGPT defaults to GPT-4o for a good reason: it's a solid generalist. This multimodal model can process and analyze text, images, audio, and even video, making GPT-4o ideal for a wide range of tasks, including: Composing emails Basic brainstorming and creative content Summarizing text, and basic creative content Basic editing and proofreading Simple questions That's some of the official use cases, but your imagination is the true limit. Personally, I've used GPT-4o extensively for my creative writing projects. It's also been my go-to for: Creating alternate timelines and similar role-playing scenarios Fetching general information, such as gardening tips and simple queries Performing straightforward edits and summarization Although I'm not a coder, I've heard many people successfully use GPT-4o for basic coding projects, thanks to its looser usage limits. That said, the newer GPT-4.1 is generally a much better choice for coding tasks, as we'll discuss shortly. Overall, GPT-4o is a reliable tool for just about anything, but it's important to note that, based on my experience, it becomes more prone to hallucinations as queries grow more complex. For straightforward requests with clear outcomes, GPT-4o works very well, but it struggles significantly with genuine reasoning and complex logic, making occasional errors more likely. For example, while working on an alternate timeline about Rome, GPT-4o mistakenly pulled information from a previous, unrelated timeline project I created months earlier involving a divergent North America. Despite obvious differences in divergence points, nations, and events, GPT-4o sometimes couldn't distinguish these separate contexts clearly. The key takeaway is that you should always verify any ChatGPT response independently, but this is especially important with GPT-4o, at least in my experience. Additionally, free users are limited to 10 messages every three hours, though paid Plus subscribers have an increased limit of 80 messages every three hours. GPT-4.1: Great for coding and a better generalist for Plus, Pro, and Team members Best for : Coding and detailed generalist tasks that require greater accuracy : Coding and detailed generalist tasks that require greater accuracy Availability: Plus or higher While GPT-4o remains the default, those with paid subscriptions might consider the newer GPT-4.1 as their daily driver instead. Initially accessible only via third-party software or OpenAI's API, GPT-4.1 is now fully integrated into ChatGPT for users with a Plus subscription or higher. The improved intelligence and speed of GPT-4.1 mean it can handle all the scenarios listed previously under GPT-4o, with notable enhancements. Other advantages include: It's a great option for coders looking for a balance between speed, accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Significantly better performance than GPT-4o for detailed proofreading, editing, and brainstorming on slightly more complex topics. Clearer and faster responses, reducing the need for extensive back-and-forth corrections. The primary downside of GPT-4.1 compared to GPT-4o is its tighter usage restriction, capped at 40 messages every three hours for Plus users. Still, this limit is likely sufficient for most users, aside from particularly extensive projects. In my personal and entertainment projects, I've occasionally reached the cap, but in those cases, I simply switch back to GPT-4o to complete the job. GPT-4.1 shares the same multimodal capabilities as GPT-4o, but delivers clear improvements across the board. According to OpenAI's official metrics, the new model offers: 21.4% higher coding accuracy : GPT-4.1 scores 54.6% versus GPT-4o's 33.2%. : GPT-4.1 scores 54.6% versus GPT-4o's 33.2%. 10.5% improvement in instruction-following accuracy : GPT-4.1 achieves 38.3% compared to GPT-4o's 27.8%. : GPT-4.1 achieves 38.3% compared to GPT-4o's 27.8%. 6.7% better accuracy for long-context tasks: GPT-4.1 scores 72% versus GPT-4o's 65.3%. As of this writing, GPT-4.1 has only been available to Plus users for about a week, so I haven't fully explored every scenario. However, my initial experiences indicate that GPT-4.1 hallucinates far less often and maintains greater consistency when staying on topic. Unlike GPT-4o, it doesn't randomly blend ideas from previous projects, a frequent issue I encountered with alternative timelines. Additionally, GPT-4.1 follows instructions more carefully and refrains from improvising unnecessarily — a tendency I've noticed in other models. OpenAI 01 Pro Mode: Powerful and precise, but best for specialized business tasks Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority Best for : Complex business and coding tasks demanding exceptional detail and accuracy : Complex business and coding tasks demanding exceptional detail and accuracy Availability: Pro or higher As you might guess, OpenAI's 01 Pro Mode requires an expensive Pro membership and therefore targets companies, independent professionals, or freelancers who handle specialized business and enterprise tasks. Although there's no firm cap, sustained, intensive use can temporarily restrict your access. For example, according to user Shingwun on Reddit, sending more than around 200 messages during a workday can quickly trigger temporary restrictions. Potential use cases for 01 Pro Mode include: Drafting highly detailed risk-analysis reports or internal memos. Creating multi-page research summaries. Developing sophisticated algorithms tailored to specific business requirements. Building specialized applications or plug-ins. Parsing complex STEM topics directly from detailed research papers. These represent just a few possible applications, but ultimately, this model is designed for extremely complex tasks. For everyday programming assistance or quicker queries, there are honestly faster and more suitable tools. Due to its advanced reasoning capabilities, 01 Pro Mode typically takes more time per response, which can become a significant bottleneck, even though the end results are often worth the wait. GPT-03 is great for general business productivity and beyond C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Best for : Business productivity, Plus-level tasks that need advanced reasoning : Business productivity, Plus-level tasks that need advanced reasoning Availability: Plus or higher If you're working on a complex, multi-step project, you'll find that models like GPT-4o are more prone to producing responses riddled with logic errors or outright hallucinations. While such mistakes can occur with any AI, GPT-03 is specifically designed with advanced reasoning in mind, making it typically better suited for tasks such as: Risk analysis reports and similarly detailed documents. Analyzing existing content more deeply and objectively, compared to the overly positive responses typical of other models. Drafting strategic business outlines based on competitor and internal data. Providing more thorough explanations for concepts related to math, science, and coding than GPT-4o or GPT-4.1. Personally, I often use GPT-03 for deeper analysis of both my personal and professional projects. I've found it particularly helpful as a tool for working through my own thoughts and ideas. While I would never fully entrust an AI to serve as a genuine advisor, GPT-03 is valuable when you want to explore or develop an idea with AI assistance. Just be sure to verify any conclusions or ideas you reach with outside sources and additional scrutiny. For example, I've used GPT-03 to help refine my own ethical and philosophical viewpoints, but always confirm these ideas by consulting both online resources and real people. Remember, AI models are very good at providing logical-sounding answers, but they can also mislead, exaggerate, or even unintentionally gaslight you. Therefore, exercise caution when using GPT-03 in this manner. AI models might provide logical-sounding answers, but they can also mislead, exaggerate, or even unintentionally gaslight you. It's also important to recognize GPT-03's other limitations. First, because GPT-03 prioritizes reasoning, responses are typically slower compared to some of the other models. Additionally, Plus, Team, or Enterprise subscribers are limited to just 100 messages per week. Depending on your project's complexity, this could be sufficient, but it also means you'll need to be more selective when choosing to use this model. Pro-level accounts, however, enjoy unlimited access to GPT-03. Lastly, although OpenAI promotes GPT-03 as ideal for advanced coding tasks, my research across Reddit and other online communities suggests a different perspective. The consensus seems to be that while GPT-03 excels at very specific coding scenarios, it can also be prone to hallucination unless prompts are crafted carefully. Most coders find GPT-4.1 to be a generally better fit for typical coding tasks. GPT-4o-mini and GPT-4.1-mini: Best for API users or when you hit usage limits Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Best for : API users, or anyone needing a backup when other model limits are reached : API users, or anyone needing a backup when other model limits are reached Availability: Free or higher I'm grouping these two models together, as they're even more similar to each other than GPT-4o and GPT-4.1. According to OpenAI, GPT-4o-mini is best suited for fast technical tasks, such as: Quick STEM-related queries Programming Visual reasoning In reality, while it performs well enough for these cases, its limitations can become apparent for anyone doing intensive coding or using the model daily. Even though the 300-message-per-day limit sounds generous, it really depends on your workflow and the size of your projects. Ultimately, GPT-4o-mini works well as a backup if you hit message caps on other models, but I think its best use case is actually outside of ChatGPT — as a cost-effective choice for API users running larger projects. As for GPT-4.1-mini: this newer model is the default for all ChatGPT users (replacing GPT-4o-mini), though you'll still have access to both on Plus or higher tiers. One big change is that 4.1-mini also supports free accounts, so you're not restricted by payment tier. GPT-4.1-mini works much like GPT-4o-mini but with better coding ability and improved overall performance. It's a useful fallback when you max out your limit on other models, but in my opinion, both mini variants still shine brightest as affordable, lower-power options for API-based projects rather than as your main engine for regular ChatGPT queries. Still, 4.1-mini is gradually rolling out to all free users and will automatically be selected if you hit the GPT-4o cap. GPT-4o-mini-high: Best as a backup for GPT-03 and for faster reasoning Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Best for : Faster reasoning than o3, and as a backup : Faster reasoning than o3, and as a backup Availability: Plus or higher GPT-4o-mini-high (formerly known as GPT-03-mini-high) used to be a favorite among those looking for less restrictive coding and more flexibility for unique projects. The current version doesn't have quite the same reputation for coding, but it still has a few official OpenAI use cases: Solving complex math equations with full step-by-step breakdowns—great for homework and learning Drafting SQL queries for data extraction and database work Explaining scientific concepts in clear, accessible language Based on my experience and what I've read in community forums, the best way to use GPT-4o-mini-high is as a backup: when you run out of credits or hit your message cap on GPT-03, mini-high offers a similar experience, though it's not quite as robust. This model is limited to 100 messages per day for Plus, Teams, and Enterprise users, while Pro users get unlimited access. GPT-4.5: Powerful generalist, but best for refinement or high-value queries Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Best for : Final refinement, editing, or as a premium alternative to GPT-4.1 : Final refinement, editing, or as a premium alternative to GPT-4.1 Availability: Plus or higher GPT-4.5 is arguably the most powerful generalist model available, offering a noticeable leap over GPT-4.1 and GPT-4o in many scenarios. However, its strict usage limits mean you'll want to be selective. While GPT-4.5 used to allow for 50 messages per week, Plus users are now limited to just 20 weekly messages. Pro users also have a cap, but OpenAI hasn't published exact numbers. From what I've seen, most people don't reach the Pro limit easily, but if you're passionate about using GPT-4.5, you'll need to spring for the $200/month Pro tier. For more casual users like me, that's a pretty tough sell. So, what do I mean by refinement? Essentially, I like to use GPT-4o or GPT-4.1 to rough out a project and get it where I want it, then bring in GPT-4.5 for the final polish. For instance, when working on an alternate history timeline for a fiction series, I used GPT-4.1 for the main draft, then uploaded the result to GPT-4.5 to help refine the language and catch any logic gaps. The finished product was much tighter, and I only had to use a few of my 20 weekly messages. Whether it's for last-step editing, advanced review, or double-checking a critical project, GPT-4.5 excels as a finishing tool. Just keep in mind that it's not practical for multi-step, back-and-forth work unless you're on the Pro plan. My favorite workflow: Mixing models for the best results Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority While GPT-4.5 is my go-to for final refinement, I actually hop between models quite a bit depending on the project. The web version of ChatGPT makes it easy to switch models mid-conversation (even if you sometimes need to re-explain the context). For creative projects, I usually start with GPT-4.1 for drafting, then jump to GPT-03 if I need deeper reasoning or want to double-check my thinking. After narrowing things down further in GPT-4.1, I'll finish the project in GPT-4.5 for a final pass. This model dance helps catch mistakes, uncover new ideas, and produce cleaner, more reliable results. Ultimately, there's no one 'right' combination for everyone. You'll want to experiment with the models to find a workflow that fits your needs. For example, programmers might use a cheaper model like GPT-4.1 for initial coding, then switch to 01 Pro Mode for an advanced review of their work. Writers and researchers might prefer the blend of GPT-03's reasoning with GPT-4.5's editing finesse. How do you cross-utilize the different models? Maybe you have a hot take you can share in the comments that I didn't previously consider.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Health
- Android Authority
The HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro is a great pick for Android users that crave classic Apple Watch style
HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro The HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro delivers a comfortable, premium build with a square-shaped display and a snappy UI. Compatible with both Android and iOS phones, the watch stands out with advanced health features, a robust fitness tracking suite, and exceptional battery life. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then HUAWEI's Watch Fit 4 Pro is quite the compliment. With design cues and interface elements that will feel unmistakably familiar to Apple Watch users, the fitness-focused smartwatch carves out a niche by offering comfort, excellent battery life, and a suite of health-tracking features, all at a price that undercuts competitors. After one week of wearing the watch, I'm very tempted to keep it in rotation. Comfortably familiar Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority It's hard to see a minimalist, rounded-square smartwatch and not immediately think of the Apple Watch. The HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro — the first 'Pro' watch in HUAWEI's Fit series — bears a striking resemblance to its Cupertino counterpart, even featuring a flat sapphire crystal display just like Apple's Ultra lineup. Its 1.82-inch AMOLED screen is bright and crisp, and I found it easily readable both indoors and under direct sunlight, with peak brightness reaching up to 3,000 nits (again, echoing the Ultra). With its prominent digital crown, flat display, and sleek profile, the HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro looks a lot like an Apple Watch. The rotating crown and single back button further reinforce the Apple-esque design language. At first glance, the Fit 4 Pro looks like a hybrid of the Ultra and Series 10: flat and rugged yet sleek rather than bulky. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority While it's not perfectly symmetrical and the titanium alloy bezel is more pronounced than I'd like, the Fit 4 Pro is very attractive and remarkably comfortable. Whether I was landscaping, deep cleaning, lifting weights, or sprinting after a soccer ball, it stayed secure and unobtrusive; it didn't catch on sleeves, trap sweat, or bump into things, common issues I often face with larger wearables. Much of that comes down to its slim 9.3mm profile, which positions the device quite flat to my wrist. Even though the Pro model is a few grams heavier than the standard version (30.4g vs. 27g), the thin aluminum body also keeps it surprisingly lightweight. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Generally speaking, my only design gripe with the Fit 4 series is the colorful accent of the digital crown. Pro model buyers are left with the options of a lime green, blue, or red crown which, while intended to add flair, detracts from the otherwise clean aesthetic. It feels a lot like the construction-orange action button of the Apple Watch Ultra line, and I'd prefer a more unified, streamlined look. Other than that, though, I love the overall aesthetic. Below the Surface Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority The Fit 4 Pro/Apple Watch likeness doesn't end with hardware. Compared to watchOS, HUAWEI's interface feels similarly refined, with intuitive controls and a sporty, modern UI. There's a solid variety of watch faces, though I'm always disappointed when native ones feel overly branded (I suppose that's one way of reminding users they aren't wearing an Apple product). The Watch Fit 4 Pro's modern UI is intuitive and responsive and packed with all the staples of a smartwatch. Navigation is simple: swiping down brings up the control center, swiping up shows notifications. The digital crown spins through menus and the bottom button is customizable. There's also a smart assistance hub (a bit undercooked), an app library, activity rings, and all the typical smartwatch staples like weather, music controls, and a calendar. Overall, the UI is responsive, and scrolling through workout modes, checking health metrics, or toggling between settings is smooth. Notably, the watch is compatible with both iOS and Android phones, making it one of the few square-shaped options for Android users. In light of Google's recent admission that Wear OS 6 is specifically designed for circular watches, the Fit 4 Pro may be even more attractive to some shoppers. Personally, I love that the shape fits plenty of on-screen stats, and I found it great for tools like maps. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Regarding smart features, the Fit 4 Pro offers the basics, including Bluetooth calling, notifications, texts, emails, and third-party apps. Things do get tricky for iPhone users, though. While the watch pairs fine, some features like music control and turn-by-turn navigation are less consistent. It's also worth noting that there's no NFC support for contactless payments in many regions, which puts the Fit 4 Pro behind some similarly priced competitors in terms of everyday convenience. My favorite minor feature is when you turn the digital crown within the app library, the icons shrink to show you app titles, in case, like me, you download a lot of apps and tools and can't always identify them by sight. With that said, the watch is not officially available for purchase in the US and if you do import it, you need to do some workarounds to access the full feature set. This starts with creating a HUAWEI ID with a non-US region selected to access the HUAWEI AppGallery. Some users have had to go as far as using a VPN (I didn't need to). For this review, I created a new ID and set my region to Hong Kong and it worked perfectly. When it asks for a phone number, opt out. Exporting data was less successful. I was able to get a hold of my GPS data after workouts, but I could not export heart rate data in the same manner I normally do for reviews. Though the watch would sync with Strava, heart rate data was always missing. One of the Watch Fit 4 Pro's biggest strengths is its substantial battery life. One of the Watch Fit 4 Pro's biggest strengths, though, is its battery life. HUAWEI claims up to 10 days on a single charge, although enabling the always-on display significantly reduces that. I managed close to four full days before needing a charge-up, which is far better than the near-daily charging routine required with an Apple Watch Series 10 or Pixel Watch 3. A night of sleep tracking only used about 5% of the battery. When I did need to top up, charging took about an hour with the device's wireless charger. I would have liked to see a USB-C cable rather than a USB plug. Health and fitness tracking Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority For wellness tracking, the watch features a comprehensive set of health sensors, for everything from continuous heart rate and SpO2 monitoring, to sleep stage tracking, stress analysis, heart rate variability (HRV), and ECG functionality (regionally available). It even rounds out its health tracking suite with skin temperature and respiratory rate monitoring, aligning closely with leading wearables around this price point. As a fitness tracker, the Fit 4 Pro is also exemplary. It supports more than 100 sport modes, from triathlons and trail running to body combat and dragon boating. The Pro model adds free diving support (up to 40 meters) with apnea training and safety features. I appreciated details like water temperature and max depth, which are, again, reminiscent of Apple's diving features. Golfers using the Pro model also get swing tracking, driving range mode, and maps for over 15,000 global courses. The Pro model offers Golf and Dive activity modes, in addition to the more than 100 sports available. Once you start an activity, the digital crown is key for mid-workout input. A quick tap will pause the clock, while a long hold will end your workout completely. I found the workflow finicky at first, but once I got used to it, it was well executed. I don't, however, love how the watch loudly announces that I am starting and ending workouts, my pace, and my heart rate. If you don't appreciate having your stats announced to anyone remotely nearby, I'd suggest muting that voice. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority On the other hand, the smart companion announcements, which consistently let me know how my pace compared to my target pace are useful as are the real-time heart rate zones and the customizable data screens. All-in-all there are a lot of very helpful training tools packed in. Personally, I find the metronome feature truly haunting, but if a steady drum helps ramp up your sweat sessions, that's available as well. As for accuracy, HUAWEI's TruSeen 6.0 heart rate sensor performed well during runs and other high-intensity workouts. For the most part, readings were consistent with my dedicated chest strap, with an expected amount of fluctuation for a wrist-based wearable. The charts above show how similarly the devices recorded one example HIIT workout, including very close peak and average heart rates. While the device is not quite as precise as say a Garmin high-end watch or the well-regarded Pixel Watch 3's sensor, it's certainly accurate enough for most athletes. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Likewise, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the watch's GPS performed. I compared it directly to my Apple Watch Ultra 2 during multiple runs, and the tracked routes were nearly identical in both distance and route. The map above highlights how well the HUAWEI watch matched my Apple Watch Ultra 2. You can see right before Grote Road where I sprinted across the street, and both watches kept up. GPS reliability makes the Fit 4 Pro a reliable choice for runners and outdoor athletes who value phone-free tracking on runs and rides. This is even more important because the Pro model adds helpful navigation tools like offline color maps, route importing, and turn-by-turn directions. These features are also great for outdoor enthusiasts (like trail runners) and definitely elevate the device. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Unfortunately, sleep tracking wasn't as reliable, though it does now include overnight HRV monitoring in addition to the typical overnight details. The general sleep cycle overview is helpful, but stage accuracy didn't match what I saw from my Oura Ring, and I was surprised by some of my sleep scores. For example, on an evening when I only got three hours and 20 minutes of sleep, I received a score of 62, which feels high for a glorified nap. The next day I got a 63 for four hours and 22 minutes. A few days earlier, I only received a 76 for ~7 hours of sleep, a score that feels disproportionately low given that I slept nearly twice as long. Needless to say, the device is fine for casual overnight use, but not a standout option for serious sleep tracking. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority One simple detail I love about the device's bedtime use is that when you go to set an alarm, the watch tells you how many hours and minutes of sleep you're going to get. It helps me make decisions a lot faster when I'm debating how aggressively to set my alarm, counting on my fingers at one in the morning. HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro review: The verdict Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority The HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro is a compelling choice for Android users looking for a square-shaped smartwatch. It's comfortable, lightweight, packs a solid health tracking suite, and offers standout battery life. There are caveats, though. The sleep tracking, in particular, is fairly poor compared to Fitbit's rival platform. It also can't offer an overall experience quite as powerful as a Wear OS device. Finally, regional limitations make it a better buy for shoppers outside of the US, though it's an excellent device anywhere if you are willing to jump through some hoops to make it work. The HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro is a compelling choice for Android users looking for a square-shaped smartwatch. For iOS users, though, I recommend the Apple Watch Series 10 ($386 at Amazon) or even an older Apple Watch. iPhone compatibility with HUAWEI devices has clear limitations, and the Fit 4 Pro frankly can't compete with the seamless integration you'll find by sticking to the Apple ecosystem. If you're specifically after a flat display, the Ultra lineup is the only option, but it's quite a bit pricier. Finally, Garmin's Venu Sq 2 ($249.99 at Amazon) is another similar-shaped device at a great price. It packs in highly reliable fitness tracking tools, including reliable sleep tracking. However, it doesn't offer much third-party app support. HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro Lightweight, square-shaped design • Fantastic multi-day battery life • Reliable heart rate and GPS tracking MSRP: £249.99 Premium, square-shaped fitness smartwatch. The HUAWEI Watch Fit 4 Pro is a compelling choice for Android users looking for a square-shaped smartwatch. See price at Huawei Positives Attractive, lightweight, square-shaped design Attractive, lightweight, square-shaped design Fantastic multi-day battery life Fantastic multi-day battery life Reliable heart rate and GPS tracking Reliable heart rate and GPS tracking Wide array of sport modes and training tools Cons Sleep tracking is unreliable Sleep tracking is unreliable Limited third-party app support Limited third-party app support Finnicky iOS compatibility Finnicky iOS compatibility Regional limitations on some features
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
I tested Garmin's newest Smart Wake feature, and I'm just as tired as ever
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority I've been wearing Garmin's Vivoactive 6 for nearly a month, and I love the device's bright display, all-day health and fitness tracking, and improved recovery tools. However, one of its most intriguing new features hasn't quite delivered. In theory, Smart Wake should have me starting each day feeling a little more human, with promises to wake me at the optimal moment in my sleep cycle. In practice, I might as well be using a regular alarm. Would you use a Smart Wake alarm on your wearable? 0 votes Yes, definitely! NaN % No, I am not interested. NaN % Testing Smart Wake on the Vivoactive 6 Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority A perpetual night owl, I was eager to see if Garmin could revamp my morning routine. When I found out how simple setting a Smart Wake alarm was, I thought I was off to a good start. The Vivoactive 6 features a refreshed UI so navigation will be a little different if you're already a Garmin user, but the gist is that you set an alarm as usual and then enable the special treatment. Once I found the main activities page with a press of the top button, I tapped Clocks, Alarms, set up an alarm, and toggled on Smart Wake. This establishes a 30-minute window ahead of the set time during which the watch will trigger an alarm if it senses you're in a light sleep stage. The idea is that you will wake up more refreshed. With Smart Wake, the watch should trigger your alarm at the most ideal time, during your light sleep stage. But that didn't make a difference for me. To give the feature a fair shot, I kept everything else consistent, including my general bedtime. My wake time was identical every morning, and I made no changes to my sleep environment. I ran the test over a few weeks, hoping to notice a difference in how I felt each morning. What I got was a very punctual alarm that went off exactly at the end of the Smart Wake window every single time. Not once did it trigger early, suggesting that I was either never in light sleep or was simply too sleep-deprived to rouse. As for how I felt, groggy as ever. Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority To be fair, that might have less to do with Garmin and more to do with me consistently skimping on sleep. It's worth noting though that sleep stage tracking on wearables, even on devices as data-driven as Garmin's, isn't perfectly accurate. The Vivoactive 6 bases sleep stages on heart rate variability and movement data. While these can project a general sense of a user's sleep stages, it's still an estimation, not a medical-grade readout. They don't perfectly align with my Oura Ring 4, which is typically considered quite accurate. In other words, the watch might think I'm in deep sleep when I'm not, or vice versa, potentially missing opportunities for the Smart Wake to trigger. Rise and shine? More like rise and whine. Sleep stage tracking on wearables is an imperfect science, which limits these smart alarms. Smart Wake should be especially helpful for people constantly running on limited sleep. We need help dragging ourselves back to consciousness. But it seems that short, compressed sleep windows might not give Garmin enough time or variability to work its magic. This highlights a core tension in sleep tech: features designed for ideal conditions often fall flat in real-world use. Anyone trying to squeeze in six hours before a 5 a.m. workout may not see the benefit. Garmin's Smart Wake feature is promising on paper, but the Vivoactive 6 didn't deliver the transformative wake-up experience I was hoping for. I love the silent wrist-based alarm that helps me rise without waking my partner. I love the ability to set my alarm in bed when I'm already comfortably under the sheets and snooze it from the same spot in the morning if I'm not ready to face the day. My hope is that the smart aspect of Smart Wake continues to improve. For now, if your sleep is already on the edge, your watch might not save your day.
Android Authority
24-05-2025
- Android Authority
I really want a pocket-sized Kindle Scribe
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority After a month of testing a handful of powerful e-readers, I've come to an annoying conclusion: Most of my reading (and note-taking) happens on my phone. This isn't because it offers the best experience, but because it's always with me. Whether I'm standing in line, waiting for pasta to boil, or winding down before bed, my phone is typically in my hand, and so is the Kindle app. Yet, I'd happily ditch my phone for reading if there were a truly portable alternative. The Kindle Scribe is too big and the Paperwhite doesn't support a stylus. The Kobo Libra Colour is close, but doesn't sync with my Kindle library. What I actually want is a compact, pocket-sized Kindle that supports a stylus. Would you like a phone-size Kindle Scribe? 0 votes Yes! NaN % No NaN % Compact, capable, Kindle-connected Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority What I'm after is simple. I want a phone-sized e-ink device that's slim, lightweight, and compact enough to carry everywhere. Full-size e-readers are great for long sessions on the couch, but I want to take my library on the go. The 6' display of the compact Kindle 2024 ($109.99 at Amazon) is small, but it doesn't tuck away like my phone. I don't even want to carry a bag, just an itty-bitty Kindle slipped into my back pocket. Like typical e-readers, it should feature a glare-free display that mimics ink and paper with built-in front lighting, adjustable warmth and brightness, and a dark mode. So I can finally ditch my phone's chaotic Notes app (which is a mess of to-do lists and nonsense reminders), I also want the mini e-reader to support a stylus. I'm fairly obsessed with distraction-free writing after testing the reMarkable Paper Pro ($629 at Amazon), and the idea of Ant-Manning that device into my palm is an attractive one. I don't even care if this fictional e-ink reader is grayscale or color (though it might as well be color, while we're dreaming). Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Right now, my Kindle app lives on my phone. It gets a lot of use, but it's not a great experience. The display isn't optimized for long reading sessions and can lead to eye strain. Worse, though, are all the accompanying distractions that come with having my phone in my hand. Despite my best intentions of tucking into a book, sometimes it's difficult to ignore the group text thread blowing up or the incessant notifications. The battery also drains extremely fast compared to an e-ink device. I love that I can take my Kindle on a trip and not think twice about battery until I get home. Conversely, if I'm not mindful, my Pixel 9 dies unexpectedly, and I'm left phoneless in public because I drained the last of my power reading about dragons again. The Kindle app on my phone doesn't give me an e-ink experience and drains my battery. As much as I'd love to leave Amazon behind, I have years of purchased books, synced highlights, and saved notes. I also already own a variety of Kindle devices, and I value that I can move seamlessly from Kindle to Kindle to the Kindle app without losing my page. That convenience is hard to beat. Even as I test and fall for other brands like Kobo and Boox, I inevitably end up back with Kindle — or at least the Kindle app on those readers. With that said, I'd be tempted to finally cut the cord if the perfect device landed on my desk. I don't need a new phone or a new tablet. I just need a small e-reader with an e-ink display, solid battery life, stylus support, and unfettered access to my Kindle library. Basically, I'm after a Boox Palma 2 ($299.99 at Amazon) with a stylus. I just want a pocket-sized device built for reading first and capable of capturing thoughts as they come to me.
