Samsung - Galaxy Watch FE Smartwatch 40mm BT with Blue Band - Silver
Unpacking Samsung’s Latest Affordable Wearable
When Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch FE for $279.99, I was skeptical. A Wear OS watch with premium features at that price? It seemed too good to be true. As someone who’s tried everything from budget to high-end smartwatches, I was curious but wary.
I decided to give it a shot and wore it for a week straight. From my morning jogs to binge-watching Netflix late at night, the Galaxy Watch FE was on my wrist through it all. And honestly? It was quite an experience. For the record, I’m not typically an active guy. So I actually put in the effort to give a well rounded review approach.
![SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch FE 40mm Bluetooth AI Smartwatch w/Fitness Tracking, BIA Sensor, Personalized HR Zones, Heart Rate Tracker, Sleep Monitor, 2024, Black [US Version, 1Yr Manufacturer Warranty]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4159DLX-fZL._SS520_.jpg)
TL;DR: The Good, The Bad, and The “Meh”
Before we plunge into the details, here’s a swift recap for those of you pressed for time:
The Good:
- Surprisingly extensive health-tracking features
- Wear OS app ecosystem at your disposal
- Sturdy build that withstands bumps and bruises
- Affordable price for the features offered
The Bad:
- Battery life that leaves you tethered to the charger daily
- A processor that lags, betraying its age
- Some features locked within Samsung’s ecosystem
The “Meh”:
- A design harking back to yesteryears (hello, chunky bezels!)
- A screen that’s sharp but somewhat cramped
Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the fine print!
First Impressions: Unboxing and Setup
The Unboxing Experience
When the Galaxy Watch FE landed on my doorstep, I was greeted by a sleek, minimalist box – true to Samsung’s brand. Inside, snug in its cardboard cradle lay the watch and a magnetic charging cable. No power brick though – a trend that seems here to stay.
The watch itself felt… familiar. The design practically shouts “Galaxy Watch 5” with its bulky bezels, something I thought had been left in the past. But at $279.99, I wasn’t expecting groundbreaking aesthetics.
The Setup Dance
Setting up the watch was relatively painless, though I did raise an eyebrow at the need for three separate apps: Galaxy Wearable, Samsung Health, and Samsung Health Monitor. It’s like hosting a party where everyone shows up uninvited – except this time, they occupy my phone’s storage.
The Galaxy Wearable app ushered me through the process effortlessly. Pair the watch? Check. Sign in with Google? Done. Agree to what felt like a novella of terms and conditions? Sigh… Check.
One nice touch was the on-watch tutorial post-setup, walking me through the basics. Swiping for notifications, and quick settings – it’s all covered—a thoughtful inclusion for smartwatch newcomers or those who can’t be bothered with manuals.
Build Quality: A Surprisingly Tough Cookie
This is where the Watch FE caught me off guard – and my clumsy self rejoiced. Despite its budget tag, this little gadget is built to last. With an IP68 rating, 5ATM water resistance, and MIL-STD-810H certification, it’s ready to endure whatever life hurls at it.
Operating between -4 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit, the FE matches the resilience of pricier Galaxy Watch models, like the Watch 7. It even outstrips Apple’s cheapest smartwatch, which lacks dust resistance and military-grade durability.
Throughout the week, the watch withstood accidental knocks, and a sudden rainstorm while walking home from the office, and even survived a session in the shower (I forgot to remove it). The verdict? Not a scratch, not a glitch. The Galaxy Watch FE absorbed it all like a champ.
The Screen: A Throwback to Simpler Times
Let’s talk about that screen. At 1.19 inches, it’s not exactly sprawling real estate. The 396-by-396 Super AMOLED display is crisp, but the thick, slightly distracting bezels feel like a remnant from a bygone era – think Galaxy Watch 5.
That said, the display is sharp, and the colours are vibrant. Checking notifications, glancing at the time, or browsing through apps is still a pleasant experience most of the time. Plus, the sapphire crystal glass adds a welcome layer of durability.
However, coming from watches with larger, almost bezel-less screens, the Galaxy Watch FE’s display feels somewhat… constrained. It’s akin to gazing at a beautiful sunset through a tiny window – gorgeous but limiting.
Performance: A Tug of War with Speed
Now, onto the elephant in the room: performance. The Galaxy Watch FE is equipped with the Exynos W920 chip, the same one found in the older Galaxy Watch 5, paired with 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. On paper, it sounds serviceable. But in practice? It’s a bit of a mixed bag.
Throughout my week with the device, I noticed occasional stutters and slowdowns, especially when multitasking or launching heavier apps. For basic tasks like checking notifications, tracking workouts, or controlling music, the Watch FE holds its own. But try pushing it harder, and the processor’s age becomes painfully evident.
Compared to newer models, like the Galaxy Watch 7 with 2GB of RAM, the FE’s performance is a gentle reminder that you’re handling older tech wrapped in a shiny new package.
Health and Fitness Tracking: Punching Above Its Weight
Here’s where the Galaxy Watch FE shines. I was actually pretty blown away by how much health stuff this watch can keep an eye on. It’s got the basics like counting steps and checking your heart rate, but then it goes all out with fancy features like ECG, blood oxygen, and even telling you about your body fat. It’s kinda crazy.
For workouts, this thing’s got you covered. It can track over 100 different exercises – even stuff like ellipticals and rowing machines at the gym. If you’re into running, it really goes deep. It doesn’t just track the usual stuff, but also things like how fast your feet are moving, what heart rate zone you’re in, and even nerdy details about your running form like if you’re lopsided or bouncing too much.
During my runs, heart rate readings were slightly higher compared to the OnePlus Watch 2 – only by 1 to 2 BPM, but consistently so. GPS tracking was also on point, almost mirroring the data from my phone.
One delightful surprise was the body composition analysis. By placing two fingers on the buttons, the watch estimates metrics like body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass. While not as accurate as a DEXA scan, it’s a cool feature for tracking progress over time.
Sleep Tracking: Sweet Dreams with a Slight Hiccup
The sleep tracking on the Galaxy Watch FE is thorough, breaking down sleep stages and giving a sleep score. It even tracks blood oxygen levels during the night. However, it tends to underestimate total sleep time.
In one test, the watch recorded 5 hours and 48 minutes of sleep, compared to 6 hours and 19 minutes from the Ultrahuman Ring and 6 hours and 55 minutes from the OnePlus Watch 2. A minor difference, but still worth noting.
The snore detection feature is also interesting, although it only works if you have a Samsung phone nearby while you sleep.
Battery Life: The Achilles’ Heel
Ah, the battery life. This is where the Galaxy Watch FE stumbles. Its 247mAh battery is smaller than its more premium counterparts. During a moderate day with the always-on display, it lasted a mere 13 hours. That’s well below the 25-hour endurance of the Galaxy Watch 7, and miles behind the 41-hour lifespan of the Watch Ultra.
Turn off the always-on display, and it ekes out around 18 hours. It charges reasonably fast, hitting 100% in just under two hours, but you’ll need to charge it daily if you’re using all the features.
The Wear OS Experience: App-laden Delight
One of the Galaxy Watch FE’s strongest selling points is its integration with Wear OS. Having access to the Google Play Store means a huge library of apps at your disposal, from fitness trackers to games and productivity tools.
Navigating with Google Maps or replying to WhatsApp messages directly from my wrist was a breeze. Sure, the processor occasionally has hiccups, but overall, the Wear OS experience adds significant value to this budget-friendly device.
Price and Availability: Affordable but with Trade-offs
At $279.99, the Galaxy Watch FE positions itself as a budget-friendly entry into the world of Wear OS smartwatches. It’s available in a single size (40mm) with options in black, pink gold, or silver. I tested the silver, paired with a striking light blue band.
Is it the cheapest option? No. But for what it offers in health tracking and app compatibility, it’s certainly a solid deal. Think of it as a used luxury car – not the latest model, but still plenty of features for a fraction of the price.
Final Thoughts: Who Is This Watch For?
After a week, I’ve concluded that the Galaxy Watch FE is for the Android user craving high-end smartwatch features without the high-end price tag. It’s for someone who prioritizes health tracking and app versatility over multi-day battery life or cutting-edge performance.
Samsung phone users will get the most out of this device. Some features, like snore detection, are exclusive to Samsung, leaving other Android users feeling slightly shortchanged.
So, what’s the bottom line on the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE?
It’s pretty solid for a budget smartwatch, packing in a lot of features without breaking the bank. Is it perfect? Nah, not even close. The battery’s kinda meh and it’s not exactly zippy with that old processor. But it makes up for it with some cool health tracking stuff, a tough build, and all the apps you can get with Wear OS.
Look, if you don’t mind plugging it in every night and can live with it being a bit slow sometimes, it’s a decent watch that won’t empty your wallet. But here’s the thing – if you want something that’s lightning-fast or lasts for days, you might want to shell out for a fancier model like the Galaxy Watch 7 or an Apple Watch.
Take it from me, if you’re just interested in diving into the smartwatch world and don’t want to be broke, this might be a good fit. It’s not cutting-edge or anything, but you get a lot for your mula. And trust me, with all the options out there, that’s actually kinda rare.
It really boils down to what you care about. Do you need the latest and greatest? Or are you okay with something that’s a bit clunky but still does a bunch of cool health stuff without costing an arm and a leg? Your call. If you lean towards the latter, then this watch is likely your perfect match.
