Fossil Q Wander Smartwatch Has Appealing Features, Traditional Flair

The Fossil Q Wander may look like a traditional watch, but it’s an Android Wear-based smartwatch that works with both iOS and Android mobile devices.

Fossil hasn’t strayed from its roots with the Q Wander’s design. The device has a round face and looks nearly identical to some of its traditional watches. Users also will find Fossil’s own wristbands and a dial on the side. Absent a closer look, one might be fooled into believing the Q Wander is a traditional watch.

Google’s Android Wear powers the Q Wander, giving users full access to the operating system’s slate of features, including support for countless watch faces, alerts to texts and much more. Android Wear generally has been well-received in the marketplace, which makes Fossil’s decision to go with the operating system a smart one.

The Q Wander won’t only work with Android-based devices. In fact, Fossil said the smartwatch will notify users of calls, texts and other notifications on iPhone 5 or newer iPhones running iOS 8 or up. On the Android side, the device requires Android 4.3 or higher.

Fossil has promised somewhat solid battery life in the Q Wander, saying it will last for 24 hours on a single charge before it needs to be powered up. That’s only an estimate, though, and Fossil was quick to note that heavier usage could drain the battery more quickly. Either way, expect to charge the Q Wander at night.

In addition to telling time, the Q Wander is a fitness tracker that comes bundled with several sensors that can track a person’s steps, distance traveled and calories burned. Despite that, surprisingly the smartwatch doesn’t come with a heart rate sensor for tracking a person’s pulse.

The Fossil Q Wander comes with WiFi built-in. With WiFi connectivity, users can control apps such as Apple Music or Spotify directly from the watch face. In addition, users don’t always need to have their smartphones in their pockets to get notifications. WiFi integration in smartwatches has nearly become a requirement in today’s mobile marketplace, and it’s nice to see it in the Q Wander.

With so many shapes and variations available, a smartwatch’s size should be considered before making a purchase. The Q Wander has a case size of 45mm and features support for all types of 22mm straps. To put that into perspective, the popular LG Watch Urbane has a 46mm face with a 22mm band, making them nearly identical in size.

Fossil’s Q Wander is all about going wireless. In addition to WiFi networking, the device comes with wireless synchronization, allowing users to transfer data over Bluetooth between smartphone and smartwatch. The smartwatch ships with a conductive magnetic charger, which means that it supports wireless charging.

Thanks to an “interchangeable design,” the Q Wander is compatible with any 22mm strap, Fossil says. The company is currently selling four Q Wander variants, starting with a sports-friendly black silicone strap, along with a light brown leather strap. Customers also can choose a stainless steel wristband or a rose gold-tone stainless bracelet.

As of this writing, the Fossil Q Wander is available for preorder through the Fossil website. The device is slated to ship on Aug. 29. When it does, customers will find the leather, silicone and stainless-steel versions all cost $295. The rose gold-tone stainless version will be priced at $315.