The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is a bargain watch from Samsung’s smartwatch lineup. It costs only $199.99 and promises flagship features for a fraction of the price. The Watch FE also has a look and feel similar to the Galaxy Watch 7, priced at $399, but does not perform and offer a reasonable value.
This wearable is designed sleekly. The Galaxy Watch 7, priced at $299.99, mirrors advanced health tracking tools like EKG monitoring and body composition analysis. It looks like a cost-effective package that packs flagship features at first glance. However, its hardware spells out that it is a rebadged Galaxy Watch 4, a device from 2021.
Old Hardware in a New Shell
The Galaxy Watch FE runs on outdated parts beneath its polished exterior. It is a single 40mm size and does not have the cutting-edge processor present in newer models. It does not have a skin temperature sensor and has a smaller battery than the Galaxy Watch 7. Its one notable improvement is a new one-click strap system along with a sapphire crystal lens that enhances durability.
It is hard to ignore the limitations of the Watch FE. Notably, it feels like a newly launched device rather than a Galaxy Watch 4, one that has laggy performance when navigating apps or swiping screens. It also raises the question of whether it has what it takes to keep pace with future updates to Wear OS.
Battery That Barely Lasts
Another drawback is battery life. In standard use, the Watch FE sustains 18–20 hours, while power-management measures and an always-on-display extend that for 24 hours. Compared to that, the 40mm Galaxy Watch 7 provides a little better endurance with a full day without constant tracking. The convenience of a smartwatch goes out the window when you need to recharge it frequently.
A Misstep in Value
The Galaxy Watch FE fails to compare, however, to competitors such as the Apple Watch SE. Apple sacrifices some of the features for reliable performance and a generous $150 discount compared to flagship models. However, Samsung places a premium on feature quantity over quality, and this results in an unbalanced experience.
Samsung could refine the FE’s price and features and have it compete. It might be an attractive option with a reduced selling price of $180, a larger battery, and more streamlined health tools. For now, buying last year’s Galaxy Watch 6 provides superior value. At the same price point, the Watch 6 contains a newer processor and multiple size choices, as well as better battery life than the FE.
Privacy and Permissions
To use the Galaxy Watch FE, you will need to pair it to an Android phone and agree to Samsung’s terms of service and privacy policies. In addition, Wear OS needs five mandatory agreements. These features require additional permission for optional things such as voice assistance, location tracking, or EKG readings. There are six mandatory agreements and many optional ones.
Falling Short of Expectations
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is an unfinished attempt at a budget-friendly wearable. The hardware and performance of the handset are not at the level of Samsung’s premium models, and its outdated features do not make up for it.
However, the Galaxy Watch FE is not a good budget gadget, despite its good price, and lags a bit behind the other categories when it comes to price, performance, and features. Its flaws would be corrected in a future iteration, and it is tough to justify that $199.99 price tag as it stands.
