FunThomas · 18/12/2020
Long-term test · 14 months of daily use
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 has a solid build, but the battery wore down after 14 months and suits only light users.
Likes- Solid build quality, nothing to complain about
- Lighter than metal-cased smartwatches
- Straps can be swapped for metal or leather
- Attractive design with red accents
Dislikes- Battery life became poor after long use
- Plastic sides and frame instead of metal
- Not suited to heavy users with many notifications
Blind-Tech by JeCo · 11/12/2019
Hands-on review · accessibility, battery and daily use
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 is recommended with caution for light daily users, but its battery life is a serious weakness.
Likes- Smooth performance and responsive operation
- Elegant design that is comfortable to wear
- TalkBack accessibility works well in German
- Good overall software performance from Google
Dislikes- Battery lasts only about one day with normal use
- TalkBack starts speaking unprompted in some situations
- Setup is nearly impossible for blind users without help
- WhatsApp voice messages cannot be played or sent
FunThomas · 15/11/2019
Long-term test · battery variation across two units
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 gets praise for its software and phone calls, but battery life varies between units, so no clear verdict is given.
Likes- Software is praised as very good
- Phone calls now work well through the speaker
- Sound feedback is good
- Second unit's battery is much better than the first
Dislikes- Battery life varies a lot between units
- First unit often shut off around 5 pm
- Battery is not reliable enough to earn a top recommendation
FunThomas · 01/10/2019
Long-term use review · battery and always-on test
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 has strong build and design, but its battery is too small for heavy smartwatch use.
Likes- Build quality and clasp feel excellent
- Round dial looks like a conventional watch
- Slimmer and smaller than earlier generations
Dislikes- Battery drains quickly with always-on display
- Battery runs low by midday under heavy use
- Only practical for users who switch off most features
IchPackeAus · 16/09/2019
First impression · three days of wear and tests
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 is largely positive after three days: stylish, quick and customisable, though battery and phone range are weak points.
Likes- Slim, stylish look that does not feel bulky
- Fast processor and smooth menus
- Many customisation options for backgrounds and buttons
- Messenger notifications and voice assistant work well
Dislikes- Battery drains quickly, especially during initial testing
- Connection to the phone drops at about 8 metres
- Skype cannot be used from the watch
- Scrolling wheel does not work in every menu
OwnGalaxy · 04/09/2019
Hands-on review · two weeks of daily testing
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 is a strong all-round package with good Google integration, but battery life is its clear weak point.
Likes- Slim classic design with a round AMOLED display
- Google integration for weather, appointments and payments
- Built-in GPS and NFC let it work more independently of the phone
- Smooth performance from the Snapdragon 3100 chip
Dislikes- Battery does not last a full day under heavy use
- Display becomes hard to read in bright daylight
techloupe · 12/11/2019
3-week test · everyday use, fitness and battery
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 is a stylish, well-built classic watch, recommended for Wear OS fans, though its battery lasts only about a day.
Likes- Stylish classic design
- Good build quality
- Built-in GPS gives accurate outdoor run tracking
- Resting heart rate readings are useful
Dislikes- Battery lasts about 24 hours with always-on display
- Speaker is not among the best
- Performance is only adequate, trailing Samsung and Apple Watch
- Step count runs 5 to 10 percent low
Spazio iTech · 07/09/2020
Hands-on review · Wear OS, battery and voice tests
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 is frustrating on Wear OS: weak battery, limited apps and inconsistent software for a premium price.
Likes- The rotary button works well for scrolling Wear OS menus
- Google Assistant has improved a lot over the years
Dislikes- Battery runs out by mid-afternoon with always-on and gestures enabled
- Many apps are not available on the watch
- Voice commands are often misunderstood, and messages are hard to send
- No smart home control from the watch
socializziamo.net · 31/12/2019
Hands-on review · calls, heart rate and battery tests
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 is a strong Wear OS choice for Android users with good design and build quality, though battery life is only average.
Likes- Classic, elegant metal design
- Clearly faster and more responsive than the previous generation
- Calls are easy to manage
- Heart rate sensor is quite accurate
Dislikes- Battery lasts about one day with no real improvement
- No ECG function and no LTE version
- Wear OS features still lag behind Apple Watch
AlexSmart · 16/11/2019
Hands-on review · battery, display and app tests
Fossil Q The Carlyle HR Gen 5 is fluid and well featured, but poor battery life limits it to Android users who accept daily charging.
Likes- Fluid system performance
- Large app store and many customisable watch faces
- Google Assistant access from the crown button
- Heart-rate readings are accurate during workouts
Dislikes- Battery lasts under a day without always-on display, which is disappointing
- Display is hard to read in direct sunlight
- Screen coating shows fingerprints almost immediately
- Not worth buying if you use an iPhone