However, while last year's edition was a little too small and stiff to twist, the Connected 2018 goes the other way. Cycling through menus with the crown takes a while to get used to, due to the high sensitivity, though this is still a neat way to get around if you're looking to avoid smudging the display. And, spoiler alert, this doesn't take kindly to fingerprints.

Do you never want to miss a photo opportunity, but sometimes aren’t sure if a photo or video will work best to capture the moment? Samsung’s Single Take mode is for you. It leans on Samsung’s enhanced artificial intelligence (A.I.), comprehensive editing suite, and multiple cameras to take all the work out of making sure you’ve got the entire scene covered, and all you have to do is point your phone in the right direction. Emporio Armani and Fossil have shied away from releasing all the tech spec but we found the Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 processor to provide a zippy experience around the Connected. Delay when opening apps is minimal and menus almost never suffer from lag. The Emporio Armani Connected hybrid smartwatch combines the dynamic styling of Emporio Armani and the benefits of today’s wearable technology. Wirelessly syncing to your mobile device, this timepiece is always accurate, automatically converting time zone as you travel. Technology lovers might not care about this, but the point of fashion watches like these is largely to introduce new customers to the idea of owning a smartwatch; they likely don’t want a gadget from Apple or Samsung on their wrist but are willing to try one made by a fashion brand they already trust, and perhaps already buy from.

Specification

It has GPS, a heart rate sensor, NFC for Google Pay, and the latest version of Wear OS. That’s identical to all other Fossil-produced fashion smartwatches available now, and it’s difficult to recommend one over the better equipped Fossil Sport. The vibration alert is like the design, very subtle, and the screen even at maximum brightness is difficult to see in bright daylight conditions. Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

However, all things considered, the design of this watch is a roaring success. Build quality is just as strong as before, while the thinner, lighter approach makes it more accessible to different wrist sizes. In our view, it could very well be the best looking smartwatch for men - especially those who want the look of a regular watch.

Emporio Armani Connected: Features

As we mentioned this is a watch made from steel, so the strap (like the face) is big, solid and IP67 rated. That means you can have it on your wrist in the rain without fear that the water will degrade the strap in any way, but don't wear the watch into the shower as it's not fully waterproof. A large flat disk of circular cover glass meets a rounded, polished metal surround that contrasts nicely against the hard-edged, brushed finish of the rest of the watch’s body. The right side of the watch features a notched crown, while two hardware buttons reside above and below it. There’s also a small hole for the microphone between the upper button and crown but you’ll seldom notice it. This isn’t a cheap watch, and it doesn’t feel like one. It’s understated, stylish, very well made, and light enough to wear every day. Its presentation is superb, right down to the cool travel case it comes in. Judged purely by design, it’s worth the investment; but what happens when we look closer? Android Wear 2.0 And, unfortunately, something that could have helped bridge that even further is the internal processor, which is still the ageing Snapdragon 2100, despite the 3100 chipset sitting in some slightly newer watches. We're not saying it would improve the experience dramatically, since it would mainly improve energy efficiency, but the lags when switching watch faces, opening apps or trawling through notifications would almost certainly be eliminated, too.

What was a nice touch, though, was the ability to control our music while on the go - whether playing through Apple Music on an iPhone or Spotify on an Android device.Another thing that's been refreshed is Wear OS itself, which, despite being prone to the odd hiccup, has improved considerably over the past year. It's still not enough to put it on par with watchOS, but the gap is smaller. If the design is somewhat ordinary, then the technology inside will give you deja-vu. The aging Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor is inside with 4GB of internal storage space, while the 1.2-inch OLED screen has a 390 x 390 pixel resolution.

Watch faces are the most obvious inclusions, with some 23 own-brand options to choose from. Many offer an impressive amount of customisation over everything from dial style and colour to which complications are displayed (things like step count, date, weather, etc). That attractive, slim case is compounded by an impressively thin bezel running around the watch’s fully circular 1.19-inch screen. These proportions make the panel look larger than it actually is when compared to those smartwatches that boast larger displays but also bulkier bodies – think the Diesel On Full Guard. In our mind, if you want a decent look at your heart metrics throughout the day and during exercise, this should suffice. However, the accuracy you receive is likely very dependent on getting the right fit on that stainless steel band - so take note. Smartwatches need to look good, and as luxury brands enter the market, we find they end up producing some of the best-looking wearables. One of the latest is the Emporio Armani Connected, Armani’s first Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch. It’s unquestionably attractive, with a name that oozes class, style, and sophistication. In our Emporio Armani Connected review, we see if the watch is all style and no substance, and if it is, whether it really matters. Understated and stylishIt reminded me how easy to forget not all smartwatches have a good design. The AX’s subtlety is great — it looks like a watch, and it has a well-fitting metal band, plus it comes in a beautiful muted, metallic blue color. It doesn’t scream Armani, or even high fashion, at you. This restrained design is to be applauded, but here it comes dangerously close to being faceless. Just another smartwatch, and not one our heart tells us to buy. You only know it’s an AX watch from the tiny logo located on the crown, and on one of the strap links.