Samsung Galaxy Watch FE Review: Repacked but Reliable

Samsung’s FE line stands for ‘fan edition’. These models often come at a cheaper price than the standard models, but most people will recognise the name from smartphones in the Korean tech giant’s lineup.  

But the FE line now expands beyond phones and tablets, as the latest Samsung Galaxy Watch FE goes to prove. Designed as a more cost-friendly alternative to the Watch 7 series, this model is mostly a repackaged version of 2021’s Galaxy Watch 4 – with the same processor, a similar design and a few tweaks including longer software support. 

I’ve spent some time with the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE, exercising, sleeping and more, to discover if this is the budget smartwatch for you.  

Design & Build 

• Three colours
• IP68/5ATM
• 26.6g

Putting Galaxy Watch 4 similarities aside, the Watch FE has a style and build akin to 2024’s Watch 7. It has a smaller screen and a bigger bezel, but it retains the classic face shape that blends seamlessly with any outfit. 

The Watch FE is available in three colours: gold with a light pink band, fully black or silver with a blue band. I tested out the latter and I loved the fresh pastel feel and the coloured threads in the band are also a nice unique touch.  

I loved the fresh pastel feel and the coloured threads in the band are also a nice unique touch.  

While this smartwatch isn’t too big or heavy (weighing just 26.6g) the edges seem to dig in after prolonged use. I have quite bony wrists, so that may be why – but I have tested more comfortable smartwatches in the past, including the Amazfit GTS 4 and original Google Pixel Watch. 

You’ll be fine to use this watch both in the rain and in the pool, thanks to its IP68 and 5ATM water resistance ratings. Just make sure to lock the screen when underwater (you’ll need to enable this manually), and then the device will expel any water from the speaker once you’re done by playing a sound.  

Screen & Audio 

• 1.2-inch display
• Speaker and microphone

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE only comes in one 40mm size. While big smartwatch fans may be disappointed, the 1.2-inch super AMOLED sapphire crystal display is a decent size and large enough that taps don’t feel finicky – though the bezel is one of the thickest around, partly as it’s a digital bezel for scrolling.  

The display has a resolution of 396 x 396 and a colour depth of 16M. While the shades won’t match the incredible tones seen on the OLED screen of the Watch 7 and similar wearables, it’s bright enough to be seen under direct sunlight, with text clearly visible.  

Speaker volume can be adjusted, but even turned up halfway is punchy enough to be heard. I tested the light walking coach on the device and could hear it clearly on quite roads, though busy traffic does drown it out.

Fortunately, commands from this also pair with headphones, which I recommend if you’re out running in built-up areas. 

There’s also a built-in microphone, so you can take calls if your smartphone is connected nearby – there is an LTE version of the Galaxy Watch FE in the US.  

Software & Features 

• Wear OS 4
• One UI 5
• Issues with non-Samsung phones

The Galaxy Watch FE runs on Google’s Wear OS 4, with Samsung’s One UI 5 layered on top. So that’s not the latest version with Wear OS 5 now officially out.

Still, this smartwatch offers the most popular Android wearable apps out there. That includes Google Maps, Spotify, WhatsApp and more – a real advantage over cheaper watches from the likes of Amazfit and Huawei. 

Samsung also includes its pre-installed apps, including Samsung Wallet, plus accompanying Buds and SmartThings apps. However, these can be uninstalled directly on the Watch, or via the Galaxy Wearable app. 

There’s a separate app for Health tracking, which is annoying – it would be much less arduous if Samsung consolidated its software so I could organise my apps and find my data all in one place. 

I set this smartwatch up with a Xiaomi Mix Flip, and unfortunately, it was quite a faff. Not only did I have to continuously permit the Watch to access various things, but I also struggled to get it to link to my Google account, something that is necessary for apps such as Maps etc.  

…this smartwatch offers the most popular Android wearable apps out there

After trawling some forums, I found a workaround that meant I had to disable the lock on my phone. It looks like this is a widespread issue on other Samsung watches, so is something the brand should consider investigating. 

Once I’d overcome those hurdles, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE was straightforward to use. All the apps are organised in a tile, Apple Watch style unlike other Wear OS devices, while swipes left, right, up and down access various notifications, tracking etc. The digital bezel also allows you to scroll up and down quickly.  

The Home button can be customised to an extent, with different commands available for double pressing and long pressing – Go to most recent app and Bixby were set as default on my unit. It integrates excellently with Google, one of the key benefits of going for a Wear OS watch.  

Fitness & Tracking 

• 100+ workout modes
• Comprehensive sleep tracking
• ECG monitoring locked for Samsung phones

There’s a wide range of health and fitness tracking options available on the Samsung Galaxy FE, but it’s worth saying off the bat that you’ll get the most out of the features if you have an accompanying Samsung phone.  

More than 100 workouts are available to track, including weighted machines, swimming, cycling, pilates, ballet and more. If your specific exercise isn’t included, you can add it as a custom workout or choose the free workout mode instead.  

All modes will monitor your heart rate and calories burned, while some will include additional information. For example, runners will get information on cadence and a map of their route, while swimmers can see the strokes used and the time elapsed between laps. 

Auto detect was very responsive, with walking picked up and tracked with accuracy, and stopping very quickly compared to other wearables I’ve tested with this ability. You can choose which workouts the Watch FE supports for this type of tracking, which is useful.  

I had one mysterious incident where this wearable thought I was doing a ‘free workout’. I can only assume that this was when I was dancing around my room at one point. I guess that sort of counts as exercise? With that in mind, I disabled auto detect on the free workout mode.  

Step tracking seemed quite liberal, giving me around 1,000 steps more than what I typically record on my phone.  

The running coach is a nice addition, as it guides you through the speed you should be going, with prompts to adjust your speed and words of encouragement when you’re at the right level. Plus, it includes ten degrees of difficulty, from light walking up to speed endurance, with the option to add custom ones as well.  

Sleep tracking seemed pretty accurate with my own experiences, correctly identifying any disturbances in the night. I also found the sleep coach feature incredibly useful, which uses animals to identify your patterns (shout out to my fellow lions) and suggest tips to improve your quality.  

There are eight sleep animals in total, and this information is concise and grammatically accurate, unlike some other cheaper wearables. You can read up on my interview with a sleep expert to see why this data is so important.  

Other neat health features include body composition monitoring, which analyses your fat, muscle, and water levels and gives a basic analysis of your findings. This may not be as accurate as what you may find on a smart scale, but not many other smartwatches offer this feature.  

Stress tracking, menstrual cycle tracking and SpO2 tracking are also available. However, if you want to use the ECG monitor, you won’t be able to without a Samsung phone as this is the only way you can access the Samsung Health Monitor app. If that’s a dealbreaker, then there are plenty of other smartwatches you can consider.  

Specs & Performance 

• Exynos W920 Dual Core processor
• 1.5GB memory
• 16GB storage

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE runs on an Exynos W920 Dual Core processor, the same chip seen in the Galaxy Watch 4, which at this point is a three-year-old wearable. This is paired with 1.5GB memory and 16GB storage. 

The Watch FE is a little slow to boot up and load up some apps

While this is not the latest and greatest chip that you’ll find on Samsung’s flagship model, it’s good enough for day-to-day use and basic tracking.  

The Watch FE is a little slow to boot up and load up some apps such as Google’s, but swipes and taps are responsive, as is tracking. As for longevity, the Watch FE will get three wear OS updates and four years of security patches.

My worry is how well that already aging processor will hold up in a few years time.  

Battery Life & Charging 

• 247mAh battery
• Around 1.5 days of average use
• Two hours to charge

One of the weakest points of the Galaxy Watch FE is the battery life, but that’s commonplace across all of Samsung’s smartwatch line and many rivals. 

This wearable is equipped with a 247mAh cell, which is a smaller battery than the 300mAh one seen on the Watch 7. Despite that, the longevity is about on par with the pricier model, if even slightly better. I assume that’s down to its more basic specs.  

On average I’d get between one and a half to two days’ worth of usage. That includes tracking my sleep, heart rate, steps and taking calls. The Watch FE may deplete faster if you use it heavily every day, or last longer if you disable some features such as regular heart monitoring, location etc.  

Charging the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE from flat to full with the included 5W cable takes just under two hours. That’s longer than the 76 minutes of the Watch 7 and not ideal when you supposed to wear it around the clock, but this is one of the compromises you get by opting for a cheaper model.  

Price & Availability 

The Galaxy Watch FE costs £199/$199 for the regular model and $249 for the LTE option (which is US only). UK readers can buy it directly from Samsung, Amazon, Argos or Currys. Those in the US can get it from Samsung, Best Buy and Amazon. 

While that is £90/$100 cheaper than the regular Watch 7, you’ve got to keep in mind that this device uses an old processor and isn’t bringing much new to the market as it’s so much like the Watch 4.  

Like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, this Watch has come at an odd time, considering you can buy last year’s Galaxy Watch 6 for £131/$187, which offers more features for the money – the only advantage of the FE is that you’ll get software support for longer.

If you spot it in a sale such as Amazon Prime Day then it could make for a bargain but at full price it’s harder to justify. 

Outside of Samsung, you could consider the Google Pixel Watch 2, which is now discounted to £239/$249, or the OnePlus Watch 2R for £189/$229. We also have further options in our list of the best smartwatches.  

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE? 

Let’s be honest, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is just a repackaged version of the Watch 4 although that doesn’t mean it’s inherently bad.   

The Watch 4 was a solid smartwatch, and so is this. There’s a wide range of tracking features available, with the auto detect and sleep tracking being particularly impressive. The design is sleek and classic, and Wear OS is still superior to other software alternatives outside of Apple.  

However, the faff setting up with a non-Samsung Android phone was annoying, and other rivals offer much more impressive battery lives.

The only thing that may tempt you for the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is if you already own a Samsung phone, as set-up should be easier, and you’ll also get bonus ECG monitoring.  

Specs

• 1.2in 396×396 (40mm) AMOLED display
• Sapphire crystal
• Exynos W920 Dual Core processor
• 1.5GB RAM
• 16GB storage
• One UI Watch 5 over Wear OS 4
• Bluetooth 5.3
• NFC
• GPS
• Wi-Fi
• 4G LTE (optional)
• Microphone
• Speaker
• Optical heart rate sensor (PPG)
• Electrical heart sensor (ECG)
• Bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor (BIA)
• Blood oxygen tracking
• Sleep tracking
• Body composition analysis
• Guided workouts
• Bixby Voice
• Digital bezel controls
• 5ATM swim-proof
• IP68-certified dust/water resistance
• 247mAh
• 39.3 x 40.4 x 9.8 mm
• 26.6g
• Colours: Silver, Black, Gold
• Compatible with Android 11 or higher (devices require more than 1.5GB RAM)