[The Fossil Gen 5 LTE Touchscreen Smartwatch is Fossil's first smartwatch with independent cellular functionality, allowing Android users with Verizon as their provider to free their wearable device from their smartphone. This means they can receive calls, send messages, and use Wear OS apps even when their smartphones are unavailable. [Major smartwatches such as the Apple Watch Series 6 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 have offered LTE options for several years. It's about time that the well-received Wear OS models offer the same freedom.

Our review of Fossil's Gen 5 smartwatch had (and still has) a few complaints about Google's smartwatch platform, but the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chip with Wear OS It remains one of the best smartwatches available. This LTE version of the Gen 5 costs $349 and will be available this spring.

If Fossil's native brand doesn't fit your style, you can consider three other smartwatches from the Fossil family this year: the $350 Darci and $250 MKGO from Michael Kors, and the $195 Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR. the Darci is a crystal-encrusted watch with sleek metal links. It reminds me of Samsung's Galaxy Watch Active 2, but more sparkly.

As its name suggests, the Jorn Hybrid HR has a traditional watch dial, but hides smartwatch features such as basic health indicators and a notification interface. While not as high-tech as Fossil's other 2021 wearables, it has a battery life of up to two weeks.

There is no shortage of new smartwatches on the horizon. From Fossil's expanded product lineup to Amazfit's affordable new watch, this CES is shaping up to be an exciting one for wearables. Stay tuned to our coverage for all the announcements coming out of the tech industry's biggest trade show.