OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Smartwatches Methodology v3.0
Smartwatches Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Smartwatches Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Smartwatches Methodology v3.0

Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport review: 127 specs compared

Avg. price:~£260Screen size:?Battery life:1 daysDisplay type:LCD

Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport Review: Compare 127 technical specifications and 1 expert reviews to see how this product ranks in the Smartwatches category and whether it is worth buying.

Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport
6.5/10

Overall score

Score
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 69% of models
Score components

35%

5.9

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

5.9

Reviews score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 69% of smartwatches
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the smartwatch's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a smartwatch with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components

70%

6.5

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–¼Worse than 79%
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components

24%

3.7

Health

21%

8.1

Fitness

16%

6.7

Battery

14%

7.8

Smart features

12%

3.2

Connectivity

9%

7.3

Display & Design

4%

2.8

Hardware

â–¼Worse than 61%
5.9

Reviews score

Reviews score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.4 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models

5.9

Mark 7.4 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.0

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 review: 8.0/10. We use 5 reviews; the 4 missing count as the category's typical 8.0: (8.0 × 1 + 8.0 × 4) ÷ 5 = 8.0. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 72%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £260
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of smartwatch Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
Score components:

24%

3.7

Health

21%

8.1

Fitness

16%

6.7

Battery

14%

7.8

Smart features

12%

3.2

Connectivity

9%

7.3

Display & Design

4%

2.8

Hardware

5.9
Reviews score
5.9
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the smartwatch's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a smartwatch with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components:

70%

6.5

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

7.3
Heart rate monitor
yes
This smartwatch includes a heart rate monitor. 9.5% of smartwatches include a heart rate monitor.
Blood oxygen monitoring
no
This smartwatch does not support blood oxygen monitoring. 69.7% of smartwatches support blood oxygen monitoring.
ECG
no
This smartwatch does not support ECG. 18.2% of smartwatches support ECG.
Irregular heart rate warnings
no
This smartwatch does not support irregular heart rate warnings. 50.6% of smartwatches support irregular heart rate warnings.
HRV tracking
no
This smartwatch does not support HRV tracking. 45.2% of smartwatches support HRV tracking.
Show more
Accelerometer
yes
This smartwatch includes an accelerometer. 0.5% of smartwatches include an accelerometer.
Barometer
yes
This smartwatch includes a barometer. 46.5% of smartwatches include a barometer.
Gyroscope
yes
This smartwatch includes a gyroscope. 28.9% of smartwatches include a gyroscope.
Cadence sensor
no
This smartwatch does not include a cadence sensor. 32.9% of smartwatches include a cadence sensor.
Distance tracking
yes
This smartwatch supports distance tracking. 3.7% of smartwatches support distance tracking.
Distance tracking may depend on phone GPS/app on some models.
Show more
Battery life
1 day
Market range: <1 day – >20 days
This smartwatch lasts 1 day on a charge, which is shorter than 88.1% of Smartwatches and the same as 8.1% of Smartwatches.
Battery life in training mode
?
Battery life with GPS on
N/A
Battery power
370 mAh
Market range: <200 mAh – >500 mAh
This smartwatch has a 370 mAh battery, which is larger than 66.4% of Smartwatches and the same as 0.7% of Smartwatches.
Charge time
60 min
Market range: <60 min – >150 min
This smartwatch charges from empty in 60 min, which is quicker than 83.8% of Smartwatches and the same as 12% of Smartwatches.
Approximate value from reported charging range: 60 minutes.
Show more
Operating system
Wear OS
This smartwatch runs Wear OS, which is more advanced than the system in 80.1% of Smartwatches and equal to 15.8% of Smartwatches.
Software update frequency
ended
This smartwatch has ended software update support which is less active than that of 46.1% of smartwatches and equal to that of 53.9% of smartwatches.
Third-party app support
yes
This smartwatch supports third-party apps. 48.5% of smartwatches support third-party apps.
Notifications
yes
This smartwatch supports notifications. 0.3% of smartwatches support notifications.
Voice assistant support
yes
This smartwatch supports voice assistants. 30.8% of smartwatches support voice assistants.
Show more
Cellular module
no
This smartwatch does not include a cellular module. 16.7% of smartwatches include a cellular module.
SIM cards
0
GPS
no
This smartwatch does not support GPS. 59.8% of smartwatches support GPS.
Galileo support
no
This smartwatch does not support Galileo navigation. 43.6% of smartwatches support Galileo navigation.
Dual-frequency GPS
no
This smartwatch does not support dual-frequency GPS. 15.1% of Smartwatches offer this.
Show more
Screen size
?
Display type
LCD
This smartwatch uses LCD, which is less advanced than the screen in 91.1% of Smartwatches and equal to 6.7% of Smartwatches.
Resolution
390x 390
This smartwatch has a display resolution of 390x390 which is higher than that of 56.8% of smartwatches and equal to that of 6% of smartwatches.
Pixel density
?
Display brightness
?
Show more
CPU speed
1 GHz
This smartwatch uses a CPU configuration of 1 GHz which is faster than that in 30.1% of smartwatches and equal to that in 30.1% of smartwatches.
Processor model
Snapdragon Wear 2100
This smartwatch uses the Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor model.
RAM
0.768 GB
Market range: <0.5 GB – >2 GB
This smartwatch has 0.768 GB of RAM, which is less than 66.4% of Smartwatches and equal to 0.9% of Smartwatches.
Internal storage
4 GB
Market range: <0 GB – >32 GB
This smartwatch has 4 GB of internal storage, which is more than 39.8% of Smartwatches and equal to 25.5% of Smartwatches.
External memory slot
no
This smartwatch does not include an external memory slot. 0.3% of smartwatches include an external memory slot.
Show more

Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport vs the average smartwatch

246810TotalHealthFitnessBatteryConnectivityDisplay & DesignSmart featuresHardware
  • 60 min quicker charging
    This smartwatch charges faster than the average smartwatch (60 min vs 120 min). The average smartwatch takes 120 min to charge from empty.
    Approximate value from reported charging range: 60 minutes.
    60 min vs 120 min
  • More advanced operating system
    This smartwatch runs a more advanced operating system than the average smartwatch (Wear OS vs Proprietary OS).
    Wear OS vs Proprietary OS
  • Emergency SOS
    This smartwatch includes Emergency SOS, the average smartwatch does not. 44.8% of smartwatches include Emergency SOS.
  • Supports wireless charging
    This smartwatch supports wireless charging, the average smartwatch does not. 23.4% of smartwatches support wireless charging.
    Wireless charging supported via proprietary charging puck/dock.
  • External heart rate monitor support
    This smartwatch supports external heart rate monitor compatibility, the average smartwatch does not. 46.6% of smartwatches support external heart rate monitor compatibility.
    Compatible through third-party apps/workarounds.
  • Supports Wi-Fi
    This smartwatch supports Wi-Fi, the average smartwatch does not. 43.5% of smartwatches support Wi-Fi.
  • Calorie tracking
    This smartwatch supports calorie tracking, the average smartwatch does not. 48.7% of smartwatches support calorie tracking.
  • Better case material
    This smartwatch uses stainless steel for the case material, while the average smartwatch uses polycarbonate.
    stainless steel vs polycarbonate
  • Calorie tracking
    This smartwatch supports calorie tracking, the average smartwatch does not. 48.7% of smartwatches support calorie tracking.
  • External heart rate monitor support
    This smartwatch supports external heart rate monitor compatibility, the average smartwatch does not. 46.6% of smartwatches support external heart rate monitor compatibility.
    Compatible through third-party apps/workarounds.
  • 60 min quicker charging
    This smartwatch charges faster than the average smartwatch (60 min vs 120 min). The average smartwatch takes 120 min to charge from empty.
    Approximate value from reported charging range: 60 minutes.
    60 min vs 120 min
  • Supports wireless charging
    This smartwatch supports wireless charging, the average smartwatch does not. 23.4% of smartwatches support wireless charging.
    Wireless charging supported via proprietary charging puck/dock.
  • 65 mAh larger battery capacity
    This smartwatch has a larger battery than the average smartwatch (370 mAh vs 305 mAh). The average smartwatch has a 305 mAh battery.
    370 mAh vs 305 mAh
  • Supports Wi-Fi
    This smartwatch supports Wi-Fi, the average smartwatch does not. 43.5% of smartwatches support Wi-Fi.
  • Better case material
    This smartwatch uses stainless steel for the case material, while the average smartwatch uses polycarbonate.
    stainless steel vs polycarbonate
  • 2 mm slimmer strap
    This smartwatch has a slimmer strap than the average smartwatch (20 mm vs 22 mm). The average smartwatch has a 22 mm strap.
    20 mm vs 22 mm
  • More advanced operating system
    This smartwatch runs a more advanced operating system than the average smartwatch (Wear OS vs Proprietary OS).
    Wear OS vs Proprietary OS
  • Emergency SOS
    This smartwatch includes Emergency SOS, the average smartwatch does not. 44.8% of smartwatches include Emergency SOS.
  • No blood oxygen monitoring
    This smartwatch does not support blood oxygen monitoring, the average smartwatch does. 69.6% of smartwatches support blood oxygen monitoring.
  • No GPS support
    This smartwatch does not support GPS, the average smartwatch does. 59.7% of smartwatches support GPS.
    Supports route guidance through Wear OS / Google Maps.
  • More basic display
    This smartwatch uses a more basic screen than the average smartwatch (LCD vs AMOLED).
    LCD vs AMOLED
  • No irregular heart rate alerts
    This smartwatch does not support irregular heart rate warnings, the average smartwatch does. 50.6% of smartwatches support irregular heart rate warnings.
  • No stress monitoring
    This smartwatch does not support stress monitoring, the average smartwatch does. 68.7% of smartwatches support stress monitoring.
  • No multi-sport mode
    This smartwatch does not include a multi-sport mode, the average smartwatch does. 71.7% of smartwatches include a multi-sport mode.
  • No route tracking
    This smartwatch does not support route tracking, the average smartwatch does. 77% of smartwatches support route tracking.
    Supports route guidance through Wear OS / Google Maps.
  • No auto-pause
    This smartwatch does not support auto pause, the average smartwatch does. 62.6% of smartwatches support auto pause.
  • 15.7% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.4 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 72% of models

    5.9

    Mark 7.4 is below the typical mark 7.9 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 review: 8.0/10. We use 5 reviews; the 4 missing count as the category's typical 8.0: (8.0 × 1 + 8.0 × 4) ÷ 5 = 8.0. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.9 vs 7.0
  • 2.36x more expensive
    Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport is more expensive than the average smartwatch (£260 vs £110).
    £260 vs £110
  • 6.8% worse value for money
    Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport has a lower value-for-money score than the average smartwatch (7.27 vs 7.8).
    7.27 vs 7.76
  • No blood oxygen monitoring
    This smartwatch does not support blood oxygen monitoring, the average smartwatch does. 69.6% of smartwatches support blood oxygen monitoring.
  • No irregular heart rate alerts
    This smartwatch does not support irregular heart rate warnings, the average smartwatch does. 50.6% of smartwatches support irregular heart rate warnings.
  • No stress monitoring
    This smartwatch does not support stress monitoring, the average smartwatch does. 68.7% of smartwatches support stress monitoring.
  • No cycle tracking
    This smartwatch does not support menstrual cycle tracking, the average smartwatch does. 66.8% of smartwatches support menstrual cycle tracking.
  • 4 years older
    This smartwatch was released earlier than the average smartwatch (2017 vs 2021). The average smartwatch was released in 2021.
    November 2017
    2017 vs 2021
  • No multi-sport mode
    This smartwatch does not include a multi-sport mode, the average smartwatch does. 71.7% of smartwatches include a multi-sport mode.
  • No route tracking
    This smartwatch does not support route tracking, the average smartwatch does. 77% of smartwatches support route tracking.
    Supports route guidance through Wear OS / Google Maps.
  • No auto-pause
    This smartwatch does not support auto pause, the average smartwatch does. 62.6% of smartwatches support auto pause.
  • 50 fewer exercise types
    This smartwatch includes fewer exercise types than the average smartwatch (40 vs 90). The average smartwatch includes 90 exercise types.
    Reported as at least 40 exercise modes.
    40 vs 90
  • 6 days shorter battery life
    This smartwatch runs for less time per charge than the average smartwatch (1 days vs 7 days). The average smartwatch runs for 7 days on a charge.
    1 days vs 7 days
  • No GPS support
    This smartwatch does not support GPS, the average smartwatch does. 59.7% of smartwatches support GPS.
    Supports route guidance through Wear OS / Google Maps.
  • No compass
    This smartwatch does not include a compass, the average smartwatch does. 56.7% of smartwatches include a compass.
  • Less current Bluetooth version
    This smartwatch uses a less current Bluetooth version than the average smartwatch (4.1 vs 5).
    4.1 vs 5
  • More basic display
    This smartwatch uses a more basic screen than the average smartwatch (LCD vs AMOLED).
    LCD vs AMOLED
  • Weaker ingress protection
    This smartwatch has weaker ingress protection than the average smartwatch (IP67 vs IP68).
    Also reported with 3 ATM water-resistance rating.
    IP67 vs IP68
  • 2.3 mm thicker
    This smartwatch is thicker than the average smartwatch (14 mm vs 11.7 mm). The average smartwatch is 11.7 mm thick.
    14 mm vs 11.7 mm
  • No speaker
    This smartwatch does not include a built-in speaker, the average smartwatch does. 56.7% of smartwatches include a built-in speaker.

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

8.0
techaeris.com
≈ estimated
30/04/2018
Hands-on test · Wear OS watch
Verdict
The Fossil Gen 3 Sport Q Control is a Wear OS watch with heart rate tracking that suits Android users, though the battery lasted just over 13 hours.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport

  • Sleek and stylish design that mimics a traditional timepiece
  • Vibrant and sharp OLED circular display with no 'flat tyre'
  • Comfortable and lightweight silicone strap with easy-swap 20mm lugs
  • Smooth and snappy software performance using Wear OS
  • Waterproof up to 5ATM, making it suitable for swim tracking
  • Useful Google Assistant integration via built-in microphone

What customers don't like about Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport

  • Poor battery life, often requiring daily charging and rarely lasting 24 hours
  • Extremely slow charging times, sometimes taking several hours for a full charge
  • Lack of built-in GPS, requiring a tethered phone for accurate run tracking
  • No NFC support, meaning contactless payments like Google Pay are unavailable
  • Inconsistent heart rate sensor accuracy during intensive workouts
  • Occasional Bluetooth connectivity drops, particularly when paired with iOS devices

Verdict

The Fossil Q Control Gen 3 Sport is a performance-oriented smartwatch featuring a 1.39-inch OLED display (450 x 450 resolution) housed in a 45mm stainless steel case. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor with 768MB RAM and 4GB of internal storage, it runs Wear OS and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Key characteristics include a unique touch-sensitive bezel for navigation, an optical heart-rate sensor, and a 5ATM water-resistance rating suitable for swimming. Main pros highlighted by users include its crisp, high-resolution screen, a comfortable lightweight design, and the absence of the 'flat tyre' display cut-out found in earlier generations. However, common cons include a lack of built-in GPS and NFC for mobile payments, along with a battery life that typically requires daily charging.

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