Is the FE a worthy alternative?

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  Cheap Galaxy Watch

  
  Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
  

  $153 $200 Save
  $47

  The Galaxy Watch FE is the least costly choice if you’d like a Samsung Put on OS watch. With the acquainted feel and look of its costlier siblings, the Watch FE delivers a putting package deal with yesterday’s {hardware} — making it shockingly just like the Galaxy Watch 5.

  Execs

  • Efficiency is nice sufficient
  • Least expensive approach to get a Galaxy Watch
  • Premium design

  Cons

  • Charging pace is sluggish
  • Solely out there in a single measurement
  • Competitors gives extra for a similar value

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  Nonetheless adequate

  
  Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
  

  $230 $330 Save
  $100

  The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is a few years previous at this level, however nonetheless carries a premium design and the identical {hardware} because the far more current Galaxy Watch FE. Consequently, the Galaxy Watch 5 continues to be a strong machine for each day use.

  Execs

  • Efficiency continues to be good
  • Obtainable in a number of sizes
  • Quicker charging speeds in comparison with the Watch FE

  Cons

  • Should not be purchased new at this level
  • A number of years older
  • Competitors has caught up

Samsung’s FE (Fan Version) units first appeared on the smartphone aspect as a less expensive various to its present flagship units with the identical feel and look; the newest instance is the Galaxy S24 FE. Whereas Samsung has tried to excellent the FE method through the years, the product lineup has had a little bit of an up-and-down historical past. Some units discovered an awesome steadiness of efficiency and value, whereas others missed their mark.

As an alternative of basing the Galaxy Watch FE on the more moderen Galaxy Watch 7, Samsung determined to return a couple of generations and use the Galaxy Watch 4 for its inspiration. In case your Galaxy Watch 5 is beginning to present its age or its battery life is starting to decrease, it’s possible you’ll be eyeing the newer Watch FE as a possible alternative. Nonetheless, the Galaxy Watch 5 additionally shares a lot of its DNA with the Watch 4, which means these two units are much more comparable than they’re totally different.

Worth, availability, and specs

Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch FE in June 2024, and it is available in two 40mm variants. The Wi-Fi-only mannequin retails for $200, whereas the LTE model sells for $250. The Watch FE often goes on sale, so for those who’re affected person, you shouldn’t have any hassle discovering it for much less. Each variations are available in Black, Silver, or Pink Gold colorways and might be bought immediately from Samsung, by means of retailers like Amazon or Finest Purchase, or from AT&T, T-Cellular, and Verizon.

The Galaxy Watch 5 is a couple of years older, having launched approach again in August 2022. It might nonetheless be discovered new from retailers like Amazon, however I wouldn’t advocate shopping for it new at this level. As you’ll quickly see, the FE gives the identical expertise for much less, or you may seize the Galaxy Watch 7 for about the identical value. The Watch 5 launched in 40mm and 44mm variants with Wi-Fi-only or LTE connectivity. The Watch 5 was out there within the Graphite, Silver, and Pink Gold colorways.

• 	Samsung Galaxy Watch FE	Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
  Case measurement	40mm	40mm, 44mm
  Case Materials	Aluminum	Aluminum
  Show	1.2″ AMOLED	1.19″ Sapphire Crystal Glass AMOLED 396 x 396px (40mm) or 1.36″ Sapphire Crystal Glass AMOED 450 x 450px (44mm)
  CPU	Exynos W920	Samsung Exynos W920
  RAM	1.5GB	1.5GB
  Storage	16GB	16GB
  Battery	247mAh	284mAh (40mm) or 410 mAh (44mm)
  Mobile connectivity	LTE (optionally available)	LTE
  Wi-Fi connectivity	Wi-Fi 5	Wi-Fi 6
  Connectivity	NFC	NFC, GPS, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi (2.4Gz & 5Ghz), LTE (optionally available)
  Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.2
  Software program	Put on OS 4 with One UI 5 Watch	One UI Watch 4.5 atop Put on 3.5
  Well being sensors	Samsung BioActive Sensor (optical coronary heart price + electrical coronary heart + bioelectrical impedance evaluation), SpO2, pores and skin temperature	Optical Coronary heart Price, Electrical Coronary heart Sensor (ECG), Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA), Steady SpO, Pores and skin Temperature Sensor
  Dimensions	40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8mm	40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8 mm (40mm) or 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8 mm
  Weight	25.9g (with out strap)	29 (40mm) or 32.8g (44mm)
  IP Ranking	IP68	IP68
  Strap measurement	20mm	20mm
  Colours	Black, Pink Gold, Silver	Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold, Sapphire
  Worth	Beginning at $200	From $280

Design

Seeing double

Each the Galaxy Watch FE and Galaxy Watch 5 share an an identical design with only some minor variations. The 40mm fashions are the identical measurement, measuring 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8 mm, however differ barely in weight. The Watch FE weighs 26.6g, whereas the Watch 5 is a tad heavier at 28.7g. The 40mm variant could also be a nice choice for these with small wrists, however it gained’t please those that desire a bigger watch. The Watch 5 additionally is available in a 44mm model, which measures 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm and weighs 33.5g, which can do much more to please customers who desire a greater watch.

Even the show is similar between the 2 units. The 40mm variants have a 1.2-inch Tremendous AMOLED show with a 396 x 396 decision. The Watch 5’s 44mm variant bumps the show to 1.4 inches and a 450 x 450 decision.

Regardless of the model, the show is protected by Sapphire Crystal glass and options an armored aluminum-protected body. Should you don’t want the default strap with both watch, each might be swapped for third-party choices as they use an trade normal 20mm strap. The watches additionally supply the identical MIL-STD-810H compliance, IP68 score, and 50m water resistance.

Software program & efficiency

Similar experiences

In relation to software program, these two units are excellent mirrors of each other. The Watch FE and Watch 5 have Put on OS 4 and One UI Watch 5. In case you are already rocking a Galaxy Watch, you recognize what to anticipate right here. Nonetheless, for those who’re coming from one other smartwatch, One UI Watch is Samsung’s customized UI layer on prime of Put on OS. Both machine will combine nicely with one of many greatest Samsung telephones out there and can work nicely with any Android machine.

What cannot be ignored is software program help. Because the Galaxy Watch FE is newer, it ought to get three Android OS updates and 4 years of safety updates, though the processor might battle as future Android upgrades drop. The Galaxy Watch 5 was promised the identical three years of Android updates and 4 years of safety updates, which suggests it is already midway by means of its help cycle.

Samsung chosen the identical Exynos W920 processor and 1.5GB of RAM for the units, leading to the identical efficiency. It’s not as quick because the newer Watch 7 processor, however it nonetheless holds up nicely for contemporary Put on OS wants. There might be some lag right here and there, however you gained’t have a lot hassle checking notifications or bouncing between menus and apps. The storage measurement can be the identical at 16GB, leaving you room to obtain your favourite music.

There isn’t a distinction between these two when it comes to software program or efficiency exterior of Bluetooth performance. The Watch 5 has Bluetooth 5.2 and the Watch FE has Bluetooth 5.3, which gives elevated energy effectivity and stability, in addition to maintains a stronger connection over better distances.

Well being & health

Each are wonderful choices for well being monitoring

Samsung is not any stranger to well being and health monitoring and these Galaxy Watches do an admirable job for all however hardcore athletes. The watches have Samsung’s BioActive sensor, which does job total of monitoring your coronary heart price. Additionally they embody an accelerometer, gyro, barometer, altimeter, compass, SpO2, and temperature sensors to offer a whole image of your total well being.

In relation to monitoring your train, the Galaxy Watch FE and Watch 5 supply a sturdy array of actions to select from, starting from common to extra obscure actions. Each have single-band GPS, which doesn’t imply it is unhealthy by default, however neither machine goes to outdo the greatest Garmin smartwatches in accuracy. As an alternative, they do an honest job of monitoring exercises, however will not all the time be essentially the most correct on the market.

The Watch FE and the Watch 5 are greater than able to being your each day step and sleep-tracking units. Syncing with Samsung’s Well being app is a breeze and gives a pleasant, clear breakdown of all of your well being metrics.

Battery life

Good-enough battery life with sluggish charging

Battery life will not be a powerful go well with for both of those watches. The Galaxy Watch FE has a 247mAh battery, whereas the Watch 5 has a 284mAh or 410mAh battery for the 40 and 44mm sizes, respectively.

These watches will get you thru a complete day of standard use however can battle a bit if you end up utilizing GPS monitoring for lengthy intervals, particularly if you’re streaming music. When watches just like the OnePlus Watch 2R supply as much as 5 days on a single cost, it’s disappointing that these Galaxy Watches must be charged each day.

To make it even worse, the charging speeds for the Galaxy Watch FE prime out at 5W, whereas the Watch 5 can hit as much as 10W charging speeds. Because of this the FE takes about two hours to completely cost, which can have been acceptable a few years in the past however is turning into more and more irritating at present. The Watch 5 can use the additional wattage to cost the watch faster, as much as 50%. After that, it drops the charging pace to match the Watch FE’s pace. Nonetheless, this fast top-off can imply the distinction between your watch dying when heading out for the night time or not.

Do you have to improve?

Should you already personal a Galaxy Watch 5 and really feel as if it’s beginning to present its age, you will not acquire any actual advantages from leaping to the Galaxy Watch FE. These units have the identical show, efficiency, and health-tracking capabilities. The Watch 5 has a much bigger battery and quicker charging pace, making it a greater all-around performer.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is troublesome for me to advocate right here until you end up deep within the Samsung ecosystem and your present watch is not functioning anymore. At face worth, the value is correct, however with Galaxy Watch 7’s frequent gross sales, the FE faces stiff competitors. In comparison with the Watch 5, you’ll get basically the identical watch, so changing your present watch with the FE simply doesn’t make sense.

If you have already got the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and need to substitute it, grabbing a flagship smartwatch just like the Galaxy Watch 7 or Pixel Watch 2 when it’s on sale is the safer wager. Should you can’t wait because of a damaged machine and are pleased with the efficiency of the Galaxy Watch 5, the Watch FE exists as a drop-in alternative.