The Michael Kors Access MKGO smartwatch is one of the newest and most surprising wearables from the brand. Known for its commitment to inject some fashion sense into Google’s Wear OS devices, Michael Kors now impresses with its first sports-centric device.
Designed to integrate seamlessly into the active lifestyle, the MKGO comes in six bold looks and packs pretty much all the features we’ve come to expect from the latest Wear OS smartwatches.
But is its tracking power up to scratch? Let’s see.
Background
Michael Kors recently upgraded its smartwatch lineup with three new wearables running Wear OS platform, the Access Lexington 2, Access Bradshaw 2, and Access MKGO.
While the former two are upgrades of previous Michael Kors models, the latter sets itself apart as the brand’s first fitness-centred wearable.
This smartwatch is similar to other recently-announced Wear OS devices, such as the Puma Smartwatch. It sports the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset present on the Fossil Gen 5 and packs 512MB of RAM.
The brand’s decision to design such a sporty wearable is puzzling, to say the least, but the MKGO is undeniably an excellent choice for the fitness-addict looking for a smart yet stylish timepiece.
Features
Michael Kors MKGO’s exterior may stand out from its pack, but it still gets the same software treatment as other smartwatches from the brand.
It delivers on-wrist notifications and other functionalities you could expect from a last-generation Wear OS. Customisable side dials offer the ability to create shortcuts to your favourite features, and you’ll also get customisable watch faces.
Fossil already accustomed us to Spotify integration in addition to fast payments via Google Pay and integration of Google Assistant, and the MKGO features all three.
The internal storage capacity of only 4GB is a bit disappointing, especially since the other two devices in Michael Kors’ Fall 2019 Collection boast 8GB each.
Access MKGO is cheaper, though, so it could be an excellent option for those who like to live on the fast lane but don’t want to spend their weight in gold on a smartwatch.
Design
The Access MKGO is billed as Michael Kors’ first sportswatch; it combines nylon, aluminium, and silicone materials and strikes the perfect balance between comfort and style.
Critics claim the silicone strap is not as stylish as the metal counterpart offered by other Michael Kors wearables. But this smartwatch isn’t supposed to be elegant, and its sporty allure is flawless.
You can pick from six styles – three single-colour models available in red, black, and pink, and three more sophisticated designs including white and gold, silver with crystal-embellished silicone strap, and black/gold with crystal-embellished strap.
The latter two are undeniably the most sophisticated choices in the range, addressing mostly women, but we can safely say the watch has an overall unisex allure.
Fitness Tracking
Access MKGO is a capable but not exceptional fitness tracker. There aren’t any surprising features in its app drawer, only the usual you’d expect from a device built for fitness-oriented individuals.
The smartwatch relies on Google Fit and other third-party apps to deliver heart rate monitoring and step tracking. Sports profiles come as additions of the various apps rather than built-in features.
It does have built-in GPS, though, so you won’t have to carry your phone while you’re running, and you can also wear it while swimming or showering.
Main Advantages
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Voice-activated Google Assistant
- Water resistant up to 30 ATM
- Built-in GPS
- Google Pay feature
- Compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices
Main Disadvantages
- Limited fitness tracking functionality
- On the expensive side considering its features and overall performance
Competition
| Michael Kors MKGO | Puma Smartwatch | Fossil Gen 5 | Samsung Galaxy Watch | |
| Display | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 328 x 328 pixels | – | 360 x 360 pixels |
| Size | 43 x 43 x 17 mm | 44 x 44 x 11 mm | 44 x 44 x 12 mm | 46 x 49 x 13 mm |
| Weight | – | 28 g | – | 46 g |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone | Silicone / Stainless steel | Silicone |
| Water resistance | 3 ATM | 3 ATM | 3 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth | 3G/LTE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | No | No | No | Yes |
| NFC Payments | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Calorie count | No | No | No | Yes |
| Multi-sport profiles | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life (Smart mode) | Up to 36 hours | Up to 24 hours | Up to 24 hours | Up to 7 days |
Summary
Michael Kors Access MKGO could seem out of place in a collection designed to entice more people to wear Google-powered smartwatches. But this wearable has a lot of potential.
It looks good and offers top-line Wear OS software and hardware features for fitness enthusiasts. With its style, it could even motivate the more sophisticated couch potato to put on some matching MKGO outfit and hit the gym or at least get out for a stroll.
It might be a tad expensive for what it offers, but it is more appealing than similarly priced watches, including the Fossil Sport and Puma Sports Connected. Undoubtedly, a great choice for those who want to blend urban looks with smart functionality and sports comfort.
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