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Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar: The Apex Predator of Performance Smartwatches

Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar: The Apex Predator of Performance Smartwatches

The Sun-Powered Evolution

In the relentless pursuit of athletic excellence, every marginal gain counts. From the shoes on your feet to the fuel in your body, athletes are constantly seeking an edge. For years, Garmin’s Forerunner series has been the trusted companion for runners and triathletes, evolving from simple GPS trackers to sophisticated multi-sport powerhouses. With the introduction of the Forerunner® 955 Solar, Garmin has not just iterated; they’ve integrated a game-changing technology that promises to extend your adventures and training sessions beyond conventional limits: solar charging.

Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar Review

The Forerunner 955 Solar isn’t merely a watch; it’s a wrist-worn coaching ecosystem, a data scientist, and an ultra-marathoner’s best friend, all wrapped in a durable, lightweight package. Designed for the serious athlete who demands unparalleled accuracy, comprehensive training insights, and extended battery life, this device stands as a testament to Garmin’s commitment to innovation. But does it truly live up to the hype? Is the solar charging a gimmick or a genuine advantage? And for whom is this premium device truly intended? Join us as we dive deep into every facet of the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar, dissecting its features, performance, and overall value proposition for the discerning athlete.

Design & Build Quality: Form Meets Function

At first glance, the Forerunner 955 Solar maintains the familiar aesthetic of its predecessors – a robust, circular design that prioritizes functionality over fashion. However, subtle refinements and the integration of Power Glass™ set it apart.

The watch features a 46.5 mm case, striking a balance between a substantial presence on the wrist and a comfortable fit for extended wear. Weighing in at just 53 grams, it’s remarkably lightweight for a device packed with so much technology, ensuring it won’t be a hindrance during long runs or swims. The construction is primarily fiber-reinforced polymer, which contributes to its light weight while offering impressive durability. This material choice makes it resilient against the bumps and scrapes of an active lifestyle, from trail running falls to accidental knocks in the gym.

The silicone strap is soft, flexible, and breathable, designed for comfort during intense workouts and all-day wear. It’s easily interchangeable, allowing for personalization or replacement if needed. The traditional five-button layout (three on the left, two on the right) is retained, providing tactile control even with sweaty hands or when wearing gloves. These buttons are well-placed, responsive, and have a satisfying click, crucial for quick navigation during activities.

The most significant design innovation, of course, is the Power Glass™ solar charging lens. This transparent layer is seamlessly integrated into the watch face, designed to capture solar energy without obstructing the display. Around the edge of the display, a thin, almost imperceptible solar ring is visible, which is where the primary solar collection occurs. This integration is remarkably discreet, ensuring the watch still looks like a high-performance sports watch rather than a bulky, sun-collecting gadget. The 10 ATM water rating means it’s suitable for swimming, showering, and even high-speed water sports, cementing its utility for triathletes.

Display: Clarity and Control

The Forerunner 955 Solar boasts a 1.3-inch, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display with a resolution of 260 x 260 pixels. This display technology is a hallmark of Garmin’s outdoor watches, and for good reason. Unlike AMOLED screens that drain battery life with their vibrant colors, MIP displays excel in bright sunlight, becoming more readable as ambient light increases. This is a critical advantage for outdoor athletes who spend hours under the sun. The colors are muted compared to an AMOLED, but the clarity of data fields and maps in direct sunlight is unparalleled.

A significant upgrade for the 955 series is the addition of a full touchscreen interface, a feature previously reserved for Garmin’s Fenix line. This is a welcome addition, offering intuitive navigation through menus, maps, and data screens with simple swipes and taps. For instance, zooming in and out on maps or scrolling through long lists becomes much more fluid. Crucially, the touchscreen can be disabled during activities to prevent accidental touches, allowing users to rely solely on the physical buttons – a thoughtful design choice for activities like swimming or running in the rain. The combination of both touchscreen and buttons offers the best of both worlds, catering to different preferences and scenarios.

The display also supports an always-on mode, which, while consuming slightly more battery, ensures that your data is always visible at a glance without needing to raise your wrist or press a button. The backlight is adjustable and bright enough for low-light conditions, though it’s typically not needed in daylight thanks to the transflective nature of the screen.

Key Features & Performance: Your Personal Performance Lab

This is where the Forerunner 955 Solar truly shines, offering an exhaustive suite of features designed to optimize every aspect of an athlete’s training and recovery.

GPS & Navigation: Pinpoint Accuracy, Global Reach

Garmin has significantly upgraded the GPS capabilities of the Forerunner 955 Solar with the inclusion of multi-band GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo). This means the watch can simultaneously receive signals from multiple satellite systems across different frequencies, dramatically improving accuracy in challenging environments like dense urban areas with tall buildings, deep canyons, or heavily forested trails. Our testing confirmed this, showing remarkably consistent and precise track logs even in previously problematic areas. For ultra-runners and trail enthusiasts, this enhanced accuracy is a game-changer, ensuring reliable distance tracking and navigation.

Garmin Forerunner® 955 Solar Review

The watch comes with preloaded full-color TopoActive maps for your region (downloadable for other regions), offering detailed topographical information, points of interest, and routable road networks. Navigation features include turn-by-turn directions, round-trip routing, and the ability to import GPX courses. The touchscreen makes map interaction a breeze, allowing for quick panning and zooming. The “Up Ahead” feature provides at-a-glance information about upcoming course points (e.g., aid stations, turns), which is incredibly useful during races or long training runs.

Heart Rate Monitoring: Insights from the Inside

The Forerunner 955 Solar features Garmin’s latest Elevate Gen 4 optical heart rate sensor. This sensor provides continuous heart rate monitoring, both during activities and throughout the day. While optical HR sensors are generally less accurate than chest straps for high-intensity, fluctuating efforts, Garmin’s implementation is among the best, providing reliable data for most training scenarios. For critical data, such as interval training or threshold tests, the watch can be paired with an external ANT+ or Bluetooth chest strap for superior accuracy.

A notable addition is HRV Status, which tracks your Heart Rate Variability during sleep. HRV is a key indicator of your autonomic nervous system’s balance, reflecting your body’s recovery and readiness to perform. By analyzing trends in your HRV, the watch provides valuable insights into your overall stress, training load, and recovery, helping you avoid overtraining or undertraining.

Training Metrics: The Coach on Your Wrist

Garmin’s strength lies in its sophisticated training analytics, and the 955 Solar takes this to another level with several new and enhanced metrics:

  • Training Readiness: This is arguably the most impactful new metric. It’s a single score (0-100) that combines multiple factors – sleep quality, recovery time, HRV status, acute load, and stress – to give you an immediate understanding of how ready your body is for a hard workout. It’s a powerful tool for guiding daily training decisions, helping you decide whether to push hard, take it easy, or rest.
  • Training Status: This long-standing Garmin feature has been refined. It analyzes your recent training load and VO2 Max trends to tell you if your training is Productive, Peaking, Maintaining, Detraining, Overreaching, or Strained. It provides actionable feedback on whether your training is effective.
  • Acute Load: Replaces the previous “7-day load” and focuses on the recent training load, providing a more immediate picture of your current physiological stress.
  • Load Focus: Categorizes your training load into anaerobic, high aerobic, and low aerobic, helping you ensure a balanced training plan that targets all energy systems.
  • VO2 Max: Continues to be a cornerstone metric, estimating your cardiovascular fitness level and tracking its improvement over time.
  • Recovery Time: Estimates the time needed before your body is fully recovered for another hard effort, taking into account the intensity and duration of your last workout.
  • Daily Suggested Workouts: This intelligent feature provides personalized running and cycling workout recommendations each day, adapting based on your Training Readiness, current training load, recovery, and recent activities. It’s like having a dynamic coach guiding your daily sessions.

Running Dynamics & Power: Deeper Insights

For serious runners, the Forerunner 955 Solar supports advanced running dynamics (when paired with a compatible accessory like the Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Pro chest strap). These metrics include cadence, stride length, ground contact time, ground contact time balance, vertical oscillation, and vertical ratio, providing a deeper understanding of your running form.

While the watch doesn’t natively measure running power from the wrist, it can display and record running power data from compatible third-party sensors (e.g., Stryd). This allows runners to train with power, which offers a more consistent and immediate measure of effort compared to pace or heart rate, especially on varied terrain.

Sleep Tracking & Health Monitoring: Beyond the Workout

The Forerunner 955 Solar is not just for workouts; it’s a comprehensive 24/7 health tracker.

  • Sleep Tracking & Sleep Score: It automatically tracks your sleep stages (light, deep, REM) and provides a detailed sleep score (0-100) based on the quantity and quality of your sleep. The sleep data is integrated into the Training Readiness metric, highlighting its importance for recovery.
  • Pulse Ox: Measures blood oxygen saturation, providing insights into acclimatization at altitude or potential sleep disturbances.
  • Body Battery™: A unique Garmin metric that uses HRV, stress, and activity data to estimate your energy reserves throughout the day. It helps you understand when to push and when to rest.
  • Stress Tracking: Monitors your stress levels based on heart rate variability, offering relaxation reminders when stress is high.
  • Women’s Health Tracking: Allows female users to track their menstrual cycle or pregnancy, logging symptoms and receiving personalized training and nutrition guidance.

Smartwatch Features: Connected Convenience

Beyond its athletic prowess, the Forerunner 955 Solar functions as a capable smartwatch:

  • Smart Notifications: Receive calls, texts, and app alerts directly on your wrist (when paired with a compatible smartphone).
  • Music Control & Storage: Control music playback from your phone or store up to 2,000 songs directly on the watch from services like Spotify, Deezer, or Amazon Music (with a premium subscription), allowing for phone-free listening with Bluetooth headphones.
  • Garmin Pay™: Make contactless payments directly from your wrist, a convenient feature for post-run coffee or emergency purchases.
  • Connect IQ™ Store: Personalize your watch with custom watch faces, data fields, widgets, and apps from the Connect IQ Store.

Solar Charging: The Game Changer?

The “Solar” in Forerunner 955 Solar is not just a marketing gimmick; it’s a genuinely impactful feature. Garmin’s Power Glass™ technology is designed to convert sunlight into usable energy, extending the watch’s battery life. It’s important to set expectations: solar charging isn’t going to fully recharge your watch from empty in a few hours. Instead, it acts as a trickle charge, constantly topping up the battery and significantly extending the time between charges, especially when used outdoors.

The watch provides a “Solar Intensity” widget that shows how much solar exposure it’s receiving, measured in kilolux-hours. This allows users to understand the effectiveness of the solar charging in real-time. For optimal solar charging, Garmin recommends at least three hours of direct sunlight exposure per day, though any exposure contributes.

In practical terms, the solar charging significantly boosts battery life in GPS mode, which is typically the most power-hungry feature. For ultra-runners or multi-day adventurers, this means being able to track longer activities without needing to carry a power bank or find an outlet. For everyday users, it translates to less frequent charging, enhancing convenience.

Battery Life: Endurance Redefined

Battery life is a critical factor for any sports watch, and the Forerunner 955 Solar excels here, particularly with the added benefit of solar charging. Garmin provides impressive estimates, and our real-world testing largely confirmed these figures, especially with sufficient sun exposure.

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated battery life:

  • Smartwatch Mode: Up to 15 days / 20 days with solar*
  • GPS Only Mode: Up to 42 hours / 49 hours with solar*
  • All-Systems GNSS Mode: Up to 20 hours / 22 hours with solar*
  • All-Systems GNSS with Multi-Band: Up to 17 hours / 20 hours with solar*
  • UltraTrac™ Mode: Up to 80 hours / 110 hours with solar*
  • GPS with Music: Up to 8 hours

*Assumes 3 hours per day in 50,000 lux conditions.

In our testing, with daily runs (1-2 hours of GPS), continuous heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and smart notifications, the watch comfortably lasted over two weeks between charges with regular outdoor exposure. On longer GPS activities, the solar boost was noticeable, providing those crucial extra hours that can make the difference between finishing a race with data and having your watch die mid-course. For multi-day hikes or ultra-marathons, the UltraTrac mode combined with solar charging offers truly exceptional endurance.

It’s important to note that actual battery life will vary based on usage patterns, sensor usage (e.g., Pulse Ox on/off), backlight settings, and the amount of solar exposure. However, the Forerunner 955 Solar undeniably offers some of the best battery performance in its class, especially for athletes who train and compete outdoors.

The Garmin Connect Ecosystem: Your Data, Your Progress

The hardware is only half the story; the Garmin Connect app (available on iOS and Android) is where all the data collected by the Forerunner 955 Solar comes to life. It’s a comprehensive platform for analyzing your activities, tracking health metrics, and managing your device.

  • Detailed Data Analysis: Every workout is meticulously logged, with detailed graphs for pace, heart rate, elevation, cadence, power (if applicable), and more. You can overlay different metrics, analyze splits, and view maps of your routes.
  • Health & Wellness Insights: The app presents your Body Battery, stress levels, sleep score, HRV status, and other health metrics in easy-to-understand dashboards, showing trends over time.
  • Training & Planning: Garmin Connect is where you access your Training Status, Training Readiness, and Daily Suggested Workouts. You can also create custom workouts, build training plans, and sync them directly to your watch.
  • Community & Challenges: Connect with friends, join challenges, and share your activities. This social aspect can be a great motivator.
  • Device Management: Customize watch settings, download watch faces and apps from Connect IQ, and update firmware.

The sheer depth of data and the intuitive presentation within Garmin Connect make it an invaluable tool for athletes looking to understand their performance, optimize their training, and track their progress over weeks, months, and years.

Who is it Best For? The Ideal User Profile

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is a premium device with a premium price tag, and as such, it’s not for everyone. It truly shines for a specific demographic of athletes:

  • The Serious Runner: If you’re training for marathons, ultra-marathons, or aiming for personal bests in any distance, the 955 Solar provides all the data, coaching insights, and navigation tools you could ever need. The Training Readiness and Daily Suggested Workouts are particularly beneficial for structured training.
  • The Dedicated Triathlete: With multi-sport profiles, seamless transition tracking, and robust swimming features, this watch is built for the demands of triathlon training and racing.
  • The Data-Obsessed Athlete: If you love diving deep into your performance metrics, understanding physiological responses, and leveraging data to inform your training, the 955 Solar offers an unparalleled level of insight.
  • The Outdoor Adventurer/Trail Runner: Multi-band GPS, preloaded maps, and exceptional battery life (especially with solar) make it an ideal companion for long hikes, backcountry explorations, and challenging trail runs where reliable navigation and extended power are crucial.
  • The Athlete Seeking Extended Battery Life: If frequent charging is a pain point, or if you participate in activities that push battery limits (e.g., 24-hour races, multi-day FKT attempts), the solar charging capability provides a significant advantage.
  • The Athlete Who Wants a Coach on Their Wrist: The intelligent training metrics and daily workout suggestions genuinely help guide your training, making it suitable for those who want structured guidance without a human coach.

It might be overkill for casual fitness enthusiasts or those primarily interested in basic activity tracking. For them, a more affordable Forerunner model or a different brand might suffice. But for the athlete committed to pushing their limits and optimizing every aspect of their performance, the 955 Solar is an investment that pays dividends.

Pros and Cons: A Balanced Perspective

ProsCons
Exceptional Battery Life (with Solar)Premium Price Tag
Multi-Band GNSS for Superior GPS AccuracyMIP Display (less vibrant than AMOLED)
Comprehensive Training MetricsSolar charging requires direct sunlight
Training Readiness & HRV StatusTouchscreen can be finicky when wet (can be disabled)
Full-Color Maps & Advanced NavigationNo native running power from wrist
Responsive Touchscreen & Button Control
Lightweight and Durable Design
Extensive Smartwatch Features
Robust Garmin Connect Ecosystem

Conclusion: The New Benchmark

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is, without a doubt, one of the most advanced and capable GPS sports watches on the market today. It takes everything that was great about its predecessors and elevates it with crucial upgrades like multi-band GPS, a responsive touchscreen, and, most notably, the genuinely beneficial solar charging capability.

For the serious runner, triathlete, or outdoor adventurer, this watch offers an unparalleled suite of tools for training, racing, and recovery. The new Training Readiness and HRV Status metrics provide actionable insights that can genuinely improve your performance and help prevent overtraining. The extended battery life, especially in GPS modes with solar assistance, removes the anxiety of running out of power during your longest endeavors.

While the price point places it firmly in the premium category, the investment is justified by its comprehensive feature set, robust build quality, and the sheer depth of data and insights it provides. If you’re an athlete who demands the absolute best from your gear, who thrives on data-driven training, and who seeks a reliable companion for pushing boundaries, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is not just a recommendation; it’s an imperative. It’s the new benchmark for performance smartwatches, ready to help you chase the sun and conquer your next challenge.

Dean Iodice, a seasoned freelance tech writer and industry analyst for TheTechReview.net, specializing in emerging technologies and consumer electronics.

Wearables

The Apple Watch Series 11 Hermès Edition: Where Haute Horlogerie Meets Digital Innovation

The Apple Watch Series 11 Hermès Edition

The collaboration between Apple and Hermès continues to redefine luxury smartwatch design, blending Silicon Valley innovation with Parisian craftsmanship in the Series 11 Hermès Edition.

Since Apple first partnered with the legendary French fashion house Hermès in 2015, the technology giant has continuously pushed the boundaries of what a luxury smartwatch can be. The Apple Watch Series 11 Hermès Edition represents the latest evolution of this prestigious collaboration, offering a unique fusion of cutting-edge health technology, premium materials, and the timeless elegance that has defined Hermès for nearly two centuries.

A Legacy of Craftsmanship Meets Modern Technology

The partnership between Apple and Hermès seemed unlikely when first announced. Apple, the Cupertino-based technology company known for sleek minimalism and mass-market appeal, joining forces with Hermès, the 188-year-old Parisian luxury house synonymous with equestrian heritage and artisanal leather craftsmanship. Yet this collaboration has proven to be one of the most successful in the luxury smartwatch space, creating a product that appeals to both tech enthusiasts and fashion connoisseurs.

The Series 11 Hermès Edition continues this tradition, building upon the foundation established by previous iterations while introducing refinements that showcase both companies’ commitment to excellence. Unlike standard Apple Watch models, the Hermès Edition isn’t merely a fashion accessory with interchangeable bands—it represents a holistic design philosophy where hardware, software, and materials work in harmony to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Design Philosophy: The Details That Define Luxury

At first glance, the Series 11 Hermès Edition may appear similar to the standard Apple Watch Series 11, but closer inspection reveals numerous distinctive elements that justify its premium positioning. The watch face features an exclusive stainless steel case with a unique engraving on the back: “Apple Watch Hermès, Swiss Made.” This small detail carries significant meaning in the world of horology, acknowledging the Swiss origins of the watch’s assembly and paying homage to Switzerland’s centuries-old watchmaking tradition.

The case itself undergoes additional finishing processes not applied to standard models. Each unit receives extra polishing and quality control checks to ensure the mirror-like finish meets Hermès’ exacting standards. The result is a case that catches light differently, with a depth and warmth that photographs struggle to capture but becomes immediately apparent in person.

The display retains Apple’s industry-leading Always-On Retina technology, now in its latest iteration with improved brightness and power efficiency. However, Hermès Edition owners gain access to exclusive watch faces that aren’t available on any other Apple Watch model. These faces incorporate design elements drawn from Hermès’ rich heritage, including typefaces inspired by the brand’s iconic signage, color palettes reflecting classic Hermès shades like Orange 144 (the brand’s signature orange), and complications arranged with the same attention to balance and proportion that defines Hermès’ print and digital design.

The new Hermès Radial face, exclusive to Series 11, features a dynamic design that changes throughout the day, with flowing lines that evoke both traditional chronograph subdials and the organic curves found in Hermès silk scarves. The Lucky Horse watch face returns with enhanced animation, bringing Hermès’ equestrian heritage to life with subtle movements that respond to wrist raises and screen taps.

The Heart of the Matter: Hermès Leather Bands

While the watch case sets the foundation, the bands truly distinguish the Hermès Edition. Each strap is handcrafted in Hermès’ French ateliers using the same techniques and materials employed in the creation of the house’s legendary handbags and accessories. The leather selection process alone involves multiple stages of inspection, ensuring only the finest hides make it into production.

For the Series 11 launch, Hermès introduces several new strap options while maintaining beloved classics:

The Single Tour remains the most popular choice, offering a clean, elegant single wrap design that works equally well in boardrooms and bistros. Crafted from Swift leather—a fine-grained calfskin known for its suppleness and durability—the Single Tour features hand-stitched edges and a custom stainless steel buckle engraved with the Hermès name. New colorways for Series 11 include Étoupe (a sophisticated greige), Vert Moyen (a refined forest green), and Bleu de Malte (a deep, rich blue).

The Double Tour creates a more fashion-forward statement with its distinctive double-wrap design that circles the wrist twice. This style, particularly popular among fashion enthusiasts, adds visual weight and presence while maintaining the refined aesthetic Hermès is known for. The extra leather length also allows wearers to adjust the fit more precisely. For Series 11, Hermès debuts the Double Tour in Noir leather with gold hardware, creating a striking contrast that pairs beautifully with both casual and formal attire.

The Attelage represents one of the more equestrian-inspired designs, featuring a leather strap that interweaves through the lugs in a manner reminiscent of horse bridles and reins. The technique requires exceptional skill to execute, as the leather must be precisely cut and shaped to thread smoothly through the watch case while maintaining structural integrity. This band particularly appeals to those who appreciate Hermès’ equestrian heritage and want that connection visible in their everyday accessory.

The Kilim brings textile artistry to the collection, incorporating woven patterns inspired by traditional Anatolian kilim rugs. Unlike purely leather bands, the Kilim features fabric sections that showcase Hermès’ textile expertise while maintaining leather accents for durability and comfort. The Series 11 version introduces new color combinations that reflect contemporary tastes while respecting traditional patterns.

The Toile H represents perhaps the most casual offering, pairing printed canvas with leather accents. The canvas features Hermès’ signature “H” pattern in various colorways, making it ideal for active pursuits while maintaining the brand’s unmistakable aesthetic. Despite its more relaxed appearance, the Toile H undergoes the same rigorous quality control as its purely leather counterparts.

Each band includes Hermès’ signature details: hand-stitched edges using the brand’s characteristic saddle stitch technique, edges painted and polished to a smooth finish, and hardware that bears the Hermès engraving. The buckles and connectors receive individual attention, with artisans ensuring each piece moves smoothly and sits flush against the leather.

Technical Specifications: No Compromises

Despite its fashion credentials, the Series 11 Hermès Edition makes no compromises in technical capability. It features identical internal specifications to the flagship Apple Watch Series 11, ensuring Hermès Edition owners enjoy the full breadth of Apple’s latest health and fitness innovations.

The advanced health monitoring suite includes upgraded sensors for more accurate heart rate tracking, blood oxygen measurement, and temperature sensing. Sleep tracking has been refined with new algorithms that provide deeper insights into sleep stages and overall rest quality. The ECG app continues to offer medical-grade electrocardiogram readings, while fall detection and crash detection provide critical safety features.

Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the enhanced GPS accuracy, improved workout tracking algorithms, and new exercise modes. The Series 11 introduces more sophisticated training load analysis, helping athletes optimize their routines and avoid overtraining. Swimming metrics have been expanded, with better stroke detection and automatic pool length adjustment.

Battery life remains consistent with the standard Series 11, offering all-day performance with typical use and up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode. The fast-charging capability allows the watch to reach 80% charge in approximately 45 minutes, minimizing downtime.

The S11 chip powering the watch delivers impressive performance improvements over previous generations, making animations smoother, app launches faster, and on-device Siri processing more responsive. The always-on display reaches higher brightness levels for improved outdoor visibility while somehow becoming more power-efficient—a testament to Apple’s chip design prowess.

Software Integration: Exclusive Experiences

Beyond exclusive watch faces, the Hermès Edition offers subtle software enhancements that enrich the user experience. Notifications can be customized with Hermès-designed haptic patterns, creating a more refined alert experience. The watch complications available to Hermès Edition owners include color schemes and design elements unique to this model.

The Hermès Sports app, exclusive to these watches, provides fitness tracking with a distinct visual style that aligns with the brand’s aesthetic sensibilities. Metrics are presented with custom typography and color treatments that feel decidedly more elegant than standard fitness displays.

When paired with an iPhone, Hermès Edition owners gain access to exclusive wallpapers and watch face complications that extend the design language across devices. This ecosystem approach ensures visual consistency whether you’re glancing at your wrist or checking your phone.

The Question of Value: Understanding the Premium

At a significant price premium over the standard Apple Watch Series 11—typically starting at $1,249 and reaching upward of $1,549 depending on case size and band selection—the Hermès Edition asks potential buyers to invest substantially more for what may appear to be primarily aesthetic differences. Understanding this value proposition requires looking beyond pure functionality.

For luxury goods enthusiasts, the Hermès name carries cachet built over nearly two centuries. Hermès leather goods are investment pieces known to appreciate in value and last for decades with proper care. While a smartwatch won’t appreciate financially due to inevitable technological obsolescence, the craftsmanship invested in each band represents genuine artisanal work that commands premium pricing across Hermès’ entire product line.

The exclusive watch faces and software elements, while intangible, provide daily value through refined aesthetics and the satisfaction of owning something distinctive. In an age where millions of people wear Apple Watches, the Hermès Edition offers differentiation—a way to express personal style and appreciation for craftsmanship within the framework of modern technology.

There’s also the consideration of build quality and attention to detail. The additional finishing applied to Hermès Edition cases, the hand-selection of materials, and the quality control processes all contribute to a product that feels more refined in hand. These differences may not photograph well or appear dramatic on a spec sheet, but they create a cumulative effect that luxury goods buyers recognize and value.

Sustainability and Longevity Considerations

One interesting aspect of the Hermès Edition is how it addresses—or complicates—questions of sustainability in consumer electronics. Smartwatches face criticism for their relatively short useful lives compared to traditional watches, which can function for decades or even centuries. The Hermès Edition takes a different approach by creating a product meant to be treasured and maintained rather than quickly replaced.

The bands, if properly cared for, will develop a patina and character over years of wear, much like fine leather goods should. Hermès offers band replacement and repair services, allowing owners to maintain their investment. Some collectors purchase multiple bands to rotate, extending the life of each while varying their style options.

Apple’s trade-in and recycling programs apply to Hermès Edition watches, though some owners choose to keep their devices even after upgrading, treating them as design objects or passing them to family members. The distinctive nature of the Hermès Edition may encourage this kind of lasting appreciation more than standard models that blend into the broader smartwatch category.

apple watch 11 hermes

The Target Audience: Who Buys the Hermès Edition?

The Series 11 Hermès Edition appeals to a specific intersection of consumers: those who value both cutting-edge technology and traditional luxury craftsmanship. This includes fashion industry professionals who appreciate Hermès’ heritage and want their technology to align with their aesthetic sensibilities. It appeals to luxury goods collectors who see the watch as an accessible entry point into Hermès ownership while maintaining practical utility.

Tech enthusiasts with disposable income may choose the Hermès Edition as a way to differentiate their Apple Watch while knowing they’re getting identical technical specifications to the standard model. Some view it as a middle ground between fashion and function—more substantial than a simple band swap but less complex than collecting traditional mechanical watches.

The corporate executive market represents another key demographic, with the Hermès Edition offering a professional appearance suitable for high-stakes environments while providing all the connectivity and productivity features that make the Apple Watch indispensable for many business users.

Conclusion: The Intersection of Two Worlds

The Apple Watch Series 11 Hermès Edition succeeds because it doesn’t ask consumers to choose between technology and fashion—it offers both without compromise. Apple provides the technical foundation and digital ecosystem that makes the smartwatch genuinely useful, while Hermès layers on the craftsmanship, materials, and design sensibility that elevate it beyond pure functionality.

This collaboration represents something broader about how luxury brands are adapting to technological change. Rather than resisting or ignoring the digital transformation of personal accessories, Hermès has embraced it while staying true to its core values of quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design. The result is a product that feels authentic to both brands—unmistakably an Apple Watch in capability and user experience, yet distinctly Hermès in aesthetic and execution.

For consumers willing to invest in this premium offering, the Series 11 Hermès Edition delivers daily satisfaction through beautiful materials, exclusive design elements, and the knowledge that they’re wearing something special. It won’t replace a traditional mechanical watch in the hearts of horology purists, but it has carved out its own space in the luxury accessory landscape—a space where heritage craftsmanship and modern technology not only coexist but thrive together.

As smartwatches continue maturing as a product category, the Hermès Edition points toward a future where technology companies and fashion houses increasingly collaborate, bringing together their complementary strengths to create products that appeal to both mind and heart, function and feeling. The Series 11 represents the most refined expression of this vision yet, proving that even in our digital age, there remains substantial appetite for products that honor traditional craftsmanship while embracing innovation.

TheTechReview.net

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Wearables

Google Pixel Watch 4: A Smartwatch That Finally Gets Repairs Right

Pixel Watch 4

Google’s latest wearable proves that meaningful innovation doesn’t always require a complete redesign. The Pixel Watch 4, now available starting October 9, brings refinements that transform the smartwatch experience while maintaining the beloved aesthetic that made its predecessors so recognizable.

Pixel Watch 4

A Display That Demands Attention

The standout feature is the new Actua 360 domed display, which provides a larger viewing area with bezels reduced by sixteen percent. Unlike previous models where only the glass curved, the entire screen is now physically curved, creating an immersive visual effect. The display reaches an impressive 3000 nits of brightness, making it fifty percent brighter than its predecessor and far easier to read in direct sunlight.

The domed design creates a subtle three-dimensional effect that reviewers have compared to curved monitors—initially noticeable but quickly feeling natural with continued use. This design contributes to a ten percent increase in active display area, offering more space for notifications and app content without increasing the watch’s footprint.

Pixel Watch 4

Battery Life That Actually Lasts

Battery improvements are substantial, with the 41mm model delivering 30 hours of use and the 45mm variant reaching 40 hours. With Battery Saver mode enabled, users can extend battery life to two days on the smaller model and three days on the larger version.

The charging system has been completely reimagined with a new side-mounted dock design. The Quick Charge Dock enables twenty-five percent faster charging than previous generations, reaching 50 percent battery in just 15 minutes. Real-world testing confirms these claims, with users reporting charges from 29 percent to 95 percent in under 20 minutes—effectively eliminating battery anxiety.

Repairability: A Long-Overdue Feature

Perhaps the most significant upgrade isn’t visible at first glance. The Pixel Watch 4 is the first in the series to feature a serviceable design with replaceable battery and display components. Small screws in the watch band connectors provide access to internal components, making repairs straightforward rather than requiring complete device replacement.

This change addresses one of the biggest criticisms of previous Pixel Watch models, where cracked screens or battery issues meant buying a new device. The shift toward repairability benefits both consumers and the environment, marking a meaningful commitment to device longevity.

Pixel Watch 4

Gemini Integration Takes Center Stage

The watch introduces Gemini AI assistant integration with a raise-to-talk gesture, allowing users to activate the assistant simply by raising their wrist. This feature eliminates the friction of voice commands or button presses, making AI assistance truly seamless during activities like walking or exercising.

The implementation runs on the new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Wearable Platform paired with Google’s custom machine learning co-processor, which operates twenty-five percent faster while consuming half the power of the previous generation.

Wear OS 6: Form Meets Function

The software experience receives a significant visual overhaul with Wear OS 6 and Material 3 Expressive design language. The interface automatically adapts its color scheme to match the active watch face, creating a cohesive visual experience. Notifications feature a redesigned interface, and system apps like Weather showcase the new design philosophy.

AI-powered smart replies and notification cooldown features borrowed from Android 16 operate quietly in the background, managing digital interruptions without drawing attention to themselves.

Safety First: Satellite Communication

The Pixel Watch 4 LTE is the first smartwatch to support standalone emergency satellite communications, allowing users to contact emergency services even without cellular coverage. This potentially life-saving feature uses geo-stationary satellites to dispatch help to your exact location when traditional networks are unavailable.

Pixel Watch 4

Fitness Tracking That Works

The health and fitness capabilities build on the Fitbit foundation with enhanced accuracy. Dual-frequency GPS provides more precise route tracking during runs and hikes, even in challenging environments. Activity detection has improved, with better recognition of various workout types and automatic tracking of walks.

Sleep tracking receives backend improvements, though changes are subtle rather than transformative. The upcoming AI-powered Fitbit Coach redesign promises to deliver personalized workout recommendations, though that feature remains in early access.

Pricing and Availability

Google maintains competitive pricing, with the 41mm WiFi model starting at $349 and the 45mm version at $399. LTE variants command a premium, with the larger model topping out at $499. The watch became available for preorder on August 20, 2025, with general availability beginning October 9.

Trade-in offers provide up to $350 credit for eligible devices, including the Apple Watch Series 10. LTE models include two years of data service through Google Fi Wireless at no additional cost.

The Verdict

The Pixel Watch 4 represents evolutionary refinement at its finest. While not revolutionary, the combination of improved display technology, genuine repairability, extended battery life, and seamless AI integration creates a smartwatch that finally delivers on Google’s wearable vision. The familiar design hides substantial improvements that address previous generations’ most significant shortcomings.

For owners of the Pixel Watch 3, upgrading makes little sense. However, those using earlier models or considering their first Pixel Watch will find the fourth generation offers compelling reasons to join Google’s wearable ecosystem. The watch succeeds by making small things work better rather than chasing headlines with gimmicks—a refreshing approach in the smartwatch market.

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Wearables

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: The Ultimate Rugged Smartwatch for Adventurers and Athletes

Galaxy Watch Pro

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra represents a bold entry into the premium rugged smartwatch market, delivering a feature-packed wearable that challenges both Apple’s Watch Ultra and Garmin’s dominance in the outdoor adventure segment. Announced in July 2024, this Android smartwatch features a 1.5-inch display, Exynos W1000 chipset, 590 mAh battery, 64 GB storage, and 2 GB RAM, all housed in a MIL-STD-810H compliant case with sapphire crystal glass.

Design and Durability: Built for Extreme Conditions

The Galaxy Watch Ultra embodies Samsung’s commitment to creating a timepiece that can withstand the harshest environments. The watch has obtained MIL-STD-810H Certification for high and low temperature, altitude, humidity, immersion, salt fog, dust, vibration, and drop resistance. This military-grade testing ensures the device can handle real-world challenges that outdoor enthusiasts regularly face.

Grade 4 titanium is partially applied to the front and back cover areas of the metal frame, excluding the display and physical buttons, while the remaining parts feature a mix of plastic and Grade 2 titanium. This hybrid construction balances durability with wearability, though some users with smaller wrists may find the 47mm case substantial.

The watch’s environmental resistance is equally impressive. Galaxy Watch Ultra withstands temperatures ranging from -20°C to 55°C while being worn on the wrist. Whether you’re scaling frozen peaks or trekking through desert landscapes, this smartwatch is engineered to keep functioning when you need it most.

Display: Brilliance Under Any Conditions

One of the standout features is the exceptionally bright display. The Galaxy Watch Ultra has gained a much more brilliant display at 3,000 nits, ensuring visibility on beaches or mountain tops. This brightness advantage makes a tangible difference when checking metrics during outdoor activities in direct sunlight, addressing a common complaint with earlier Galaxy Watch models.


Enhanced Button Layout and Controls

The watch has gained a new “Quick” button, which can be customized to open a specific app or function and by default opens the Workout menu to select a sport to start. Samsung’s thoughtful placement of this orange Quick button between the button guards of the other two buttons prevents accidental presses, a notable improvement over competing designs.

The top button takes you home from whatever screen you’re on, and the bottom one goes back one screen, while the center Quick Button is configurable but defaults to launching workouts. However, users should note that unlike many other watches, there’s no rotating crown or bezel—navigation relies primarily on buttons and swiping.

Water Resistance and Outdoor Features

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is consistent with 10 ATM water-resistance classification, rated for up to 100 meters of water for up to 10 minutes, and carries an IP68 rating for up to 6 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. While Samsung markets the watch for ocean adventures and water sports, it’s worth noting that the specific ISO certification differs from traditional dive watches.

For hikers and cyclists, the watch includes practical safety features. The Track Back feature must be enabled prior to every hiking or cycling workout session, while the emergency siren emits up to 86-decibel sound and can be heard up to 180 meters away maximum.


Health and Fitness Tracking: Comprehensive Wellness Monitoring

The Galaxy Watch Ultra introduces several groundbreaking health features that set it apart from competitors. For the first time on Galaxy Watch, it offers a Sleep apnea feature that requires at least 2 days of sleep data within a span of 10 days for detection. While this feature is not intended for diagnosis or treatment, it provides valuable insights for users to discuss with healthcare professionals.

The watch introduces the Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) index, which for the first time on Galaxy Watch allows users to see how their diet could affect metabolic health. This feature helps users monitor meal choices and maintain peak performance through lifestyle adjustments.

Additional wellness features include the Vascular Load metric, which estimates strain on your circulatory system during sleep by analyzing sleep tracking data, stress levels, and exercise patterns. The Energy Score and other Galaxy AI-powered insights help users understand their overall readiness and recovery status.

The watch can automatically detect and log various workouts including walking, running, swimming, elliptical, and rowing, with a longer list of supported activities than other Wear OS devices. The addition of multisport workout plans makes it particularly appealing for triathletes and cross-training enthusiasts.

Battery Life: Extended Endurance for Long Adventures

In normal battery mode with Always On Display enabled, battery life reaches up to 60 hours, while disabling Always On Display extends it to up to 80 hours. This multi-day battery life represents a significant advantage over many competitors, reducing the need for frequent charging during extended outdoor adventures.

For ultra-endurance activities, the watch offers power-saving modes that can extend battery life even further, though with some feature limitations such as restricted Wi-Fi connection, wake-up gestures, CPU speed, and location services.

Software Experience: Galaxy AI Integration

The Galaxy Watch Ultra runs on Wear OS, customized with Samsung’s One UI Watch interface. One UI makes several significant changes from stock Wear OS, including a more powerful notification system that retains notification bundles from your phone, making it easier to triage long lists of emails or messages.

The watch offers Suggested Replies with Galaxy AI, providing quick text-reply suggestions based on conversation context. Users can control various functions with a double pinch gesture, adding convenient hands-free operation for taking photos, answering calls, or silencing alarms.

One notable quirk: the Galaxy Watch Ultra still defaults to using Bixby as the voice assistant, though users can and should switch to Google Assistant in the settings.

Performance and Storage

Powered by the Exynos W1000 chipset built on a 3nm process, the Galaxy Watch Ultra delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and workout tracking. The watch comes with 2GB of RAM and generous storage options. The 2024 model includes 32GB of internal storage, while the 2025 refresh doubles this to 64GB, providing ample space for offline music, maps, apps, and workout data.

Ecosystem Integration and Limitations

Some of the Watch Ultra’s features will only work with a Samsung phone, including running ECGs and detecting health issues like sleep apnea and irregular heart rhythms, along with certain Galaxy AI features like the energy score. This ecosystem lock-in may frustrate Android users who prefer other smartphone brands, though the watch remains compatible with any Android device for basic functionality.

The Galaxy Wearable app manages watch connections and settings with a sleek, modern interface that simplifies customization. Meanwhile, the Samsung Health app, though somewhat clunky initially, provides comprehensive tracking and analysis of all your health and fitness data.

Real-World Performance: Accuracy and Reliability

During testing, the watch performed well for normal workouts with automatic laps and reliable instant pace tracking during runs. The inclusion of multiband/dual-frequency GNSS and an improved optical heart rate sensor enhances accuracy for outdoor activities.

However, the watch isn’t without occasional quirks. Some users have reported activities mysteriously stopping or ending during rides, though such incidents appear relatively rare. The multiband GPS generally delivers accurate tracking, though dense tree cover or urban canyons can still impact satellite signal quality.

The 2025 Refresh: Incremental But Valuable Updates

Samsung released an updated Galaxy Watch Ultra in 2025 with modest but meaningful improvements. The 2025 model doubles internal storage to 64GB from the previous 32GB, powered by the same 3nm Exynos W1000 processor with 2GB of RAM and a 590mAh battery.

The Watch Ultra (2025) comes pre-installed with Wear OS 5, layered with Samsung’s updated One UI Watch 8 skin, including the Now Bar feature that shows context-aware controls like timers and media playback on your watch face. Importantly, most of these software features are expected to arrive on the original Galaxy Watch Ultra through updates.

New health features include Vascular Load for estimating circulatory system strain during sleep, Antioxidant Index for skin antioxidant levels, Bedtime Guidance powered by Galaxy AI for personalized sleep scheduling, and a new Running Coach mode with real-time training feedback.

The 2025 version introduces a new Titanium Blue color option alongside the existing Titanium Gray, Silver, and White finishes. The refreshed model costs the same—$649.99—as the original Watch Ultra, making it an even better deal for new buyers.

Who Should Buy the Galaxy Watch Ultra?

The Galaxy Watch Ultra targets a specific audience: active individuals who demand durability, comprehensive health tracking, and multi-day battery life. It excels for outdoor enthusiasts, serious athletes, and anyone who needs a watch that can withstand extreme conditions while providing detailed fitness and wellness insights.

However, the high $650 price tag and chunky 47mm design might make it a tough sell for some users. The Galaxy Watch 7 offers most of the same features at a lower price point with a sleeker design, making it a better choice for casual users or those with smaller wrists.

For Samsung phone owners, the Watch Ultra’s ecosystem integration unlocks its full potential, including advanced health monitoring features like ECG and sleep apnea detection. Android users with other phone brands will still enjoy excellent functionality but may miss out on some premium features.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra represents a serious competitor in the premium smartwatch market, offering military-grade durability, exceptional battery life, a brilliant display, and comprehensive health tracking. While it clearly draws inspiration from Apple’s Watch Ultra design language, Samsung has created a capable device that stands on its own merits.

For adventurers, athletes, and anyone seeking a rugged smartwatch that can keep up with an active lifestyle, the Galaxy Watch Ultra delivers impressive performance and features. The 2025 refresh adds valuable storage and software improvements at the same price, making it an even more compelling choice for new buyers. However, existing 2024 model owners can largely skip the upgrade, as most new features will arrive via software updates.

Whether you’re training for a triathlon, hiking mountain trails, or simply want a smartwatch that can handle whatever life throws at it, the Galaxy Watch Ultra proves that Samsung is serious about competing in the premium wearable market.

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