Fossil on Monday introduced the Gen 5E series, a lineup of new Wear OS smartwatches that start at just $249. The new wearables are essentially paired-down versions of last year’s Gen 5 series, and come in two different sizes and a variety of colors.

The Fossil Gen 5E is available in a new 42mm size with smaller bezels and the same 1.19-inch OLED display with 416x416 resolution, and also three new 44mm styles. No matter which size you choose, the smartwatches start at the same price — and you get many of the same features as the Fossil Gen 5 wearables.

That includes features like sleep tracking, activity tracking, and a heart rate sensor. You can also use the Fossil Gen 5E smartwatch to make and receive phone calls, so long as it's tethered to your Android or iOS device. The smartwatches also support Google Assistant and Google Pay.

Because the Gen 5E series is similar to the Gen 5, that means you get last year’s specs, including the Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor. The Gen 5E series will also have 1GB of RAM, a 300mAh battery, and water resistance rated at 5 ATM. The price is kept low because the Gen 5E doesn’t have an ambient light sensor or standalone GPS. Internal storage has also been halved to 4GB, while the crown on the right side doesn’t rotate for navigation.

The price is certainly attractive for Fossil’s new lineup, but it arrives shortly after Mobvoi introduced the TicWatch Pro 3 with Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Wear 4100 platform. It may be worth waiting for Fossil's upcoming Gen 6 smartwatches to see if they feature Qualcomm's latest silicon, because we're found that it dramatically improves performance. Still, if you're on the market for a stylish Wear OS smartwatch, the new Fossil Gen 5E is one of the better options out there.

Fossil said the Gen 5E will ship sometime early next month, but you can pre-order it now on Amazon for $249.

fossil gen 5e

The 44mm Gen 5E smartwatch is a stylish new option from Fossil. It features a stainless steel body and ships later this month.
The 44mm Gen 5E smartwatch is a stylish new option from Fossil. It features a stainless steel body and ships later this month.
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fossil gen 5e

Looking for a smaller version of the Gen 5E? The 42mm case size is slightly more compact yet packs all the same features as the 44mm option.
Looking for a smaller version of the Gen 5E? The 42mm case size is slightly more compact yet packs all the same features as the 44mm option.
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Fossil Gen 5E specifications

Specs

Fossil Gen 5E

Size

  • 42mm
  • 44mm

Band Size

  • 18mm
  • 22mm

Display

  • 1.19-inch AMOLED
  • 390 x 390
  • 328ppi

SOC

Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100

Battery

300mAh

Connectivity

  • Bluetooth 4.2 LE
  • NFC
  • WiFi

Sensors

  • Accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Off-body IR
  • PPG Heart Rate

Water Resistance

5 ATM

Storage Capacity

4GB

RAM

1GB

Software

Wear OS