Quick verdict
- Decent hardware: bright AMOLED screen, Snapdragon Wear 4100+, Wear OS 3.
- Fossil left the smartwatch business in January 2024. There is no Gen 7.
- Updates are winding down. Expect no new features and a shrinking app experience.
- Battery life is about a day. Charging nightly is part of the deal.
- Only makes sense at a steep discount, for someone who wants a cheap Wear OS watch now.
Specs
| Spec | Fossil Gen 6 |
|---|---|
| Released | September 2021 |
| Launch price | $299 |
| Display | 1.28" AMOLED, 416 × 416 |
| Processor | Snapdragon Wear 4100+ |
| Memory | 1 GB RAM, 8 GB storage |
| Sensors | Heart rate, SpO2, accelerometer, gyro, altimeter |
| Software | Wear OS 3 (update rolled out 2023) |
| Battery | ~24 hours typical; fast charging |
| Sizes | 42 mm and 44 mm |
| Status | Discontinued; Fossil exited smartwatches Jan 2024 |
What happened to Fossil smartwatches
Fossil was one of the biggest names in Wear OS. The Gen 6, released in September 2021, was its most capable model: a fast Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chip, a sharp AMOLED screen, and solid health sensors.
Then the company got out. In January 2024, Fossil announced it was leaving the smartwatch business. The Gen 6 had no successor. Fossil said existing watches would keep getting updates "for the next few years," which is corporate language for "don't count on it."
The hardware still holds up
On paper, the Gen 6 is still a decent watch:
- 1.28-inch AMOLED display at 416 × 416. Bright and sharp.
- Snapdragon Wear 4100+, the best Wear OS chip available when it launched.
- Heart rate and SpO2 sensors, plus the usual motion sensors.
- Fast charging that gets you most of a day's battery in under an hour.
Battery life is about a day with typical use. That's normal for Wear OS, and a big contrast with e-paper watches that last weeks.
Software support situation
The Gen 6 got its Wear OS 3 update in 2023, after a long and bumpy wait. That's likely the last major platform update it will see.
What that means in practice:
- No new features. Newer Wear OS versions and Google features won't arrive.
- Security patches are winding down. Each year without updates adds a bit of risk.
- Apps may drift. Over time, some apps will stop supporting older Wear OS versions.
The watch will keep working for basic notifications, timekeeping, and health tracking. It just won't get better.
The last notable update was Wear OS 3.5, which reached the Gen 6 around late 2023. It was a small release, and Fossil had to pause the rollout after owners reported boot loops and battery drain. There has been no sign of Wear OS 4 or later for this watch (PhoneArena).
Pricing
The Gen 6 launched at $299. Today, used units mostly sell for $50 to $75 on eBay, with a median of about $69 across 2026 sales.
At that price, the value pitch is real: a lot of watch for the money. The question is how long you plan to use it.
Who it still makes sense for
- Someone who wants a cheap Wear OS watch to try before spending more on a Pixel Watch or Galaxy Watch.
- A backup or beater watch for the gym or yard work.
- A tinkerer who doesn't care about long-term support.
Who should skip it:
- Anyone who wants to wear one watch for the next three to five years.
- iPhone users who want the full experience. It pairs with iOS, but some features (like Google Wallet) only work with Android, and an Apple Watch is the better iPhone match.
- Anyone who hates nightly charging. Look at the Pebble Time 2 instead.
Depends: only cheap, and only short-term
A Fossil Gen 6 under about $100 is a reasonable cheap Wear OS watch for someone who wants one today and won't mind replacing it in a year or two. If you want something you'll keep for years, or you care about security updates, buy a currently supported watch instead. If what you really want is long battery life and simplicity, look at the Pebble Time 2.
Where to buy
Prices change often. Check the current price before buying. Some links are affiliate links, which never change our verdicts.
FAQ
Is Fossil still making smartwatches?
No. Fossil announced in January 2024 that it was exiting the smartwatch business. The Gen 6 was its last full Wear OS generation.
Will the Fossil Gen 6 keep working?
Yes. It still works for notifications, health tracking, and apps. It just won't get meaningful new updates.
Does the Fossil Gen 6 work with iPhone?
Yes, with limits. The Gen 6 still pairs with an iPhone after its Wear OS 3 update, but some features are Android-only. Google Wallet, for example, doesn't work when it's paired with iOS.
How much should I pay for a Fossil Gen 6?
Used units on eBay mostly sell for $50 to $75, with a median around $69 (2026 sold listings). Paying much more doesn't make sense for a watch with winding-down support.
