Last year Fossil introduced its Gen 5 smartwatch with Android Wear, Snapdragon 3100 chipset and a $295 asking price. Today the maker is introducing its Gen 5E smartwatches which come in a smaller 42mm casing alongside the 44mm option from last year. The premise is that the Gen 5E is a more affordable alternative to last year’s Gen 5 with a retail price of $249 for both the 42mm and 44mm models.
The 5E comes with the same basic specs as last year’s model including an AMOLED display, Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset alongside a speaker/microphone setup for taking and receiving calls directly on the watch. There’s the standard array of sensors that can track your heart rate, sleep and fitness activities. The watches are 3ATM splash proof and also come with NFC and always-on display functionality.
Some corners had to be cut to get the price down so there’s no longer onboard GPS, compass and light sensor as well as non-rotating crowns and lowered 4GB storage. The Gen 5Es make up with plenty of color options as well as leather, stainless steel and silicone watch straps. Both models have a 300mAh battery which charges via a proprietary magnetic charger.
44mm Fossil Gen 5E with silicone watch strap in black
The Gen 5E smartwatches are expected to begin shipping around November 3 according to Fossil’s website.
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