Knowledgeable’s Score
Professionals
- Responsive auto-tracking
- Clear Put on OS software program
- Traditional design
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Older processor
- Not one of the best battery life
- Some hiccups with non-Samsung cellphone
Our Verdict
Samsung has, for all intents and functions, repackaged the Galaxy Watch 4 with a brand new strap to create the Galaxy Watch FE. It’s a temptingly low-cost worth however there are rivals with higher options, together with Samsung’s personal.
Worth When Reviewed
This worth will present the geolocated pricing textual content for product undefined
Finest Pricing At present
Samsung’s FE line stands for ‘fan version’. These fashions typically come at a less expensive worth than the usual fashions, however most individuals will recognise the identify from smartphones within the Korean tech big’s lineup.
However the FE line now expands past telephones and tablets, as the most recent Samsung Galaxy Watch FE goes to show. Designed as a extra cost-friendly different to the Watch 7 sequence, this mannequin is principally a repackaged model of 2021’s Galaxy Watch 4 – with the identical processor, an identical design and some tweaks together with longer software program assist.
I’ve spent a while with the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, exercising, sleeping and extra, to find if that is the finances smartwatch for you.
Design & Construct
- Three colors
- IP68/5ATM
- 26.6g
Placing Galaxy Watch 4 similarities apart, the Watch FE has a mode and construct akin to 2024’s Watch 7. It has a smaller display and an even bigger bezel, however it retains the basic face form that blends seamlessly with any outfit.
The Watch FE is on the market in three colors: gold with a lightweight pink band, totally black or silver with a blue band. I examined out the latter and I cherished the recent pastel really feel and the colored threads within the band are additionally a pleasant distinctive contact.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
I cherished the recent pastel really feel and the colored threads within the band are additionally a pleasant distinctive contact.
Whereas this smartwatch isn’t too massive or heavy (weighing simply 26.6g) the perimeters appear to dig in after extended use. I’ve fairly bony wrists, so that could be why – however I’ve examined extra snug smartwatches prior to now, together with the Amazfit GTS 4 and unique Google Pixel Watch.
You’ll be high-quality to make use of this watch each within the rain and within the pool, due to its IP68 and 5ATM water resistance rankings. Simply make certain to lock the display when underwater (you’ll must allow this manually), after which the machine will expel any water from the speaker when you’re carried out by taking part in a sound.
Display & Audio
- 1.2-inch show
- Speaker and microphone
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE solely is available in one 40mm measurement. Whereas massive smartwatch followers could also be disillusioned, the 1.2-inch tremendous AMOLED sapphire crystal show is a good measurement and huge sufficient that faucets don’t really feel finicky – although the bezel is without doubt one of the thickest round, partly because it’s a digital bezel for scrolling.
The show has a decision of 396 x 396 and a color depth of 16M. Whereas the shades received’t match the unbelievable tones seen on the OLED display of the Watch 7 and comparable wearables, it’s vivid sufficient to be seen underneath direct daylight, with textual content clearly seen.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Speaker quantity will be adjusted, however even turned up midway is punchy sufficient to be heard. I examined the gentle strolling coach on the machine and will hear it clearly on fairly roads, although busy site visitors does drown it out.
Fortuitously, instructions from this additionally pair with headphones, which I like to recommend in the event you’re out operating in built-up areas.
There’s additionally a built-in microphone, so you possibly can take calls in case your smartphone is linked close by – there’s an LTE model of the Galaxy Watch FE within the US.
Software program & Options
- Put on OS 4
- One UI 5
- Points with non-Samsung telephones
The Galaxy Watch FE runs on Google’s Put on OS 4, with Samsung’s One UI 5 layered on high. In order that’s not the most recent model with Put on OS 5 now formally out.
Nonetheless, this smartwatch provides the most well-liked Android wearable apps on the market. That features Google Maps, Spotify, WhatsApp and extra – an actual benefit over cheaper watches from the likes of Amazfit and Huawei.
Samsung additionally contains its pre-installed apps, together with Samsung Pockets, plus accompanying Buds and SmartThings apps. Nonetheless, these will be uninstalled straight on the Watch, or through the Galaxy Wearable app.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
There’s a separate app for Well being monitoring, which is annoying – it might be a lot much less arduous if Samsung consolidated its software program so I might organise my apps and discover my knowledge multi function place.
I set this smartwatch up with a Xiaomi Combine Flip, and sadly, it was fairly a faff. Not solely did I’ve to repeatedly allow the Watch to entry varied issues, however I additionally struggled to get it to hyperlink to my Google account, one thing that’s mandatory for apps similar to Maps and so on.
…this smartwatch provides the most well-liked Android wearable apps on the market
After trawling some boards, I discovered a workaround that meant I needed to disable the lock on my cellphone. It appears like this can be a widespread concern on different Samsung watches, so is one thing the model ought to take into account investigating.
As soon as I’d overcome these hurdles, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE was easy to make use of. All of the apps are organised in a tile, Apple Watch model not like different Put on OS units, whereas swipes left, proper, up and down entry varied notifications, monitoring and so on. The digital bezel additionally lets you scroll up and down shortly.
The House button will be customised to an extent, with totally different instructions accessible for double urgent and lengthy urgent – Go to most up-to-date app and Bixby have been set as default on my unit. It integrates excellently with Google, one of many key advantages of going for a Put on OS watch.
Health & Monitoring
- 100+ exercise modes
- Complete sleep monitoring
- ECG monitoring locked for Samsung telephones
There’s a variety of well being and health monitoring choices accessible on the Samsung Galaxy FE, however it’s value saying off the bat that you just’ll get probably the most out of the options you probably have an accompanying Samsung cellphone.
Greater than 100 exercises can be found to trace, together with weighted machines, swimming, biking, pilates, ballet and extra. In case your particular train isn’t included, you possibly can add it as a customized exercise or select the free exercise mode as an alternative.
All modes will monitor your coronary heart price and energy burned, whereas some will embrace extra data. For instance, runners will get data on cadence and a map of their route, whereas swimmers can see the strokes used and the time elapsed between laps.
Auto detect was very responsive, with strolling picked up and tracked with accuracy, and stopping in a short time in comparison with different wearables I’ve examined with this potential. You’ll be able to select which exercises the Watch FE helps for this sort of monitoring, which is beneficial.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
I had one mysterious incident the place this wearable thought I used to be doing a ‘free exercise’. I can solely assume that this was after I was dancing round my room at one level. I assume that form of counts as train? With that in thoughts, I disabled auto detect on the free exercise mode.
Step monitoring appeared fairly liberal, giving me round 1,000 steps greater than what I sometimes document on my cellphone.
The operating coach is a pleasant addition, because it guides you thru the pace you need to be going, with prompts to regulate your pace and phrases of encouragement once you’re on the proper stage. Plus, it contains ten levels of problem, from gentle strolling up to the mark endurance, with the choice so as to add customized ones as properly.
Sleep monitoring appeared fairly correct with my very own experiences, appropriately figuring out any disturbances within the night time. I additionally discovered the sleep coach characteristic extremely helpful, which makes use of animals to determine your patterns (shout out to my fellow lions) and counsel ideas to enhance your high quality.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
There are eight sleep animals in whole, and this data is concise and grammatically correct, not like another cheaper wearables. You’ll be able to learn up on my interview with a sleep knowledgeable to see why this knowledge is so essential.
Different neat well being options embrace physique composition monitoring, which analyses your fats, muscle, and water ranges and provides a fundamental evaluation of your findings. This will not be as correct as what chances are you’ll discover on a sensible scale, however not many different smartwatches provide this characteristic.
Stress monitoring, menstrual cycle monitoring and SpO2 monitoring are additionally accessible. Nonetheless, if you wish to use the ECG monitor, you received’t have the ability to with out a Samsung cellphone as that is the one means you possibly can entry the Samsung Well being Monitor app. If that’s a dealbreaker, then there are many different smartwatches you possibly can take into account.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Specs & Efficiency
- Exynos W920 Twin Core processor
- 1.5GB reminiscence
- 16GB storage
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE runs on an Exynos W920 Twin Core processor, the identical chip seen within the Galaxy Watch 4, which at this level is a three-year-old wearable. That is paired with 1.5GB reminiscence and 16GB storage.
The Watch FE is slightly sluggish in addition up and cargo up some apps
Whereas this isn’t the most recent and best chip that you just’ll discover on Samsung’s flagship mannequin, it’s ok for day-to-day use and fundamental monitoring.
The Watch FE is slightly sluggish in addition up and cargo up some apps similar to Google’s, however swipes and faucets are responsive, as is monitoring. As for longevity, the Watch FE will get three put on OS updates and 4 years of safety patches.
My fear is how properly that already growing older processor will maintain up in a number of years time.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Battery Life & Charging
- 247mAh battery
- Round 1.5 days of common use
- Two hours to cost
One of many weakest factors of the Galaxy Watch FE is the battery life, however that’s commonplace throughout all of Samsung’s smartwatch line and lots of rivals.
This wearable is supplied with a 247mAh cell, which is a smaller battery than the 300mAh one seen on the Watch 7. Regardless of that, the longevity is about on par with the pricier mannequin, if even barely higher. I assume that’s all the way down to its extra fundamental specs.
On common I’d get between one and a half to 2 days’ value of utilization. That features monitoring my sleep, coronary heart price, steps and taking calls. The Watch FE might deplete quicker in the event you use it closely on daily basis, or last more in the event you disable some options similar to common coronary heart monitoring, location and so on.
Charging the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE from flat to full with the included 5W cable takes slightly below two hours. That’s longer than the 76 minutes of the Watch 7 and never best once you purported to put on it across the clock, however this is without doubt one of the compromises you get by choosing a less expensive mannequin.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Worth & Availability
The Galaxy Watch FE prices £199/$199 for the common mannequin and $249 for the LTE choice (which is US solely). UK readers should purchase it straight from Samsung, Amazon, Argos or Currys. These within the US can get it from Samsung, Finest Purchase and Amazon.
Whereas that’s £90/$100 cheaper than the common Watch 7, you’ve obtained to needless to say this machine makes use of an previous processor and isn’t bringing a lot new to the market because it’s a lot just like the Watch 4.
Just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, this Watch has come at an odd time, contemplating you should purchase final yr’s Galaxy Watch 6 for £131/$187, which provides extra options for the cash – the one benefit of the FE is that you just’ll get software program assist for longer.
In the event you spot it in a sale similar to Amazon Prime Day then it might make for a cut price however at full worth it’s more durable to justify.
Exterior of Samsung, you could possibly take into account the Google Pixel Watch 2, which is now discounted to £239/$249, or the OnePlus Watch 2R for £189/$229. We even have additional choices in our checklist of one of the best smartwatches.
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry
Do you have to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE?
Let’s be trustworthy, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is only a repackaged model of the Watch 4 though that doesn’t imply it’s inherently dangerous.
The Watch 4 was a strong smartwatch, and so is that this. There’s a variety of monitoring options accessible, with the auto detect and sleep monitoring being notably spectacular. The design is modern and basic, and Put on OS continues to be superior to different software program alternate options exterior of Apple.
Nonetheless, the faff establishing with a non-Samsung Android cellphone was annoying, and different rivals provide rather more spectacular battery lives.
The one factor which will tempt you for the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is in the event you already personal a Samsung cellphone, as set-up must be simpler, and also you’ll additionally get bonus ECG monitoring.
Specs
- 1.2in 396×396 (40mm) AMOLED show
- Sapphire crystal
- Exynos W920 Twin Core processor
- 1.5GB RAM
- 16GB storage
- One UI Watch 5 over Put on OS 4
- Bluetooth 5.3
- NFC
- GPS
- Wi-Fi
- 4G LTE (elective)
- Microphone
- Speaker
- Optical coronary heart price sensor (PPG)
- Electrical coronary heart sensor (ECG)
- Bioelectrical impedance evaluation sensor (BIA)
- Blood oxygen monitoring
- Sleep monitoring
- Physique composition evaluation
- Guided exercises
- Bixby Voice
- Digital bezel controls
- 5ATM swim-proof
- IP68-certified mud/water resistance
- 247mAh
- 39.3 x 40.4 x 9.8 mm
- 26.6g
- Colors: Silver, Black, Gold
- Appropriate with Android 11 or larger (units require greater than 1.5GB RAM)
