Samsung's Galaxy Watch FE is the first smartwatch to join Samsung's "Fan Edition" product family and is expected to be a more affordable entry point for the company's wearable communication and fitness features.199 Starting at $199, the Galaxy Watch FE seems to have a lot of good things going for it.

For one, it has the same BioActive health monitoring sensor as the Galaxy Watch 6, providing fitness and sleep tracking insights. It also offers FDA-certified ECG measurements and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) scans, features usually found only in the best, more expensive smartwatches. Not only does it look a lot like the Watch 6, but it also comes with new watch bands and watch faces for customization.

Nevertheless, there are some compromises worth noting. It does not have the latest processor, so its performance may not be as good as flagship watches, including the upcoming Galaxy Watch 7. Also, there is only one size option. But if you are a Samsung smartphone user who needs an entry-level smartwatch experience, the Galaxy Watch FE may be right for you. Below you will find everything you need to know.

A Bluetooth-only version of the Galaxy Watch FE will be available starting June 24, 2024 for $199.99; an LTE-enabled version will arrive later this year for $249.99. For reference, the Galaxy Watch 6 starts at $299.99 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic at $399.99.

Considering the Galaxy Watch FE, Samsung's version of the Apple Watch SE, Samsung managed to undercut Apple by $50. Apple's flagship watch series is usually more expensive than Samsung's flagship watches, though, so the Galaxy Watch FE's price seems very fitting.

At first glance, the Galaxy Watch FE looks almost identical to the Galaxy Watch 6. It has a branded circular sapphire glass display and aluminum case, with two action buttons on the right side. It comes in one size, 40 mm, and three finishes: black, pink gold, and silver.

The Galaxy Watch FE will be released with several new watch bands compatible with the one-click system the company introduced last year. This allows the bands to be easily replaced.

For the low price, one might think that Galaxy Watch FE is skimping on features. But surprisingly, you get many of the same perks that the Galaxy Watch 6 offers: a 3-in-1 BioActive chip that combines heart rate, ECG, and BIA sensors to provide health insights. 100 different workout tracking, running analysis, personalized heart rate zones, warnings when heart rate is too high, and advanced sleep tracking. There is no additional charge for Samsung's native wellness features.

However, since it is a Wear OS watch, many third-party apps can be downloaded from the Google Play store. Otherwise, Samsung Ecosystem apps and certain Google apps like Maps and YouTube Music are pre-installed; the Galaxy Watch FE includes "Find My Phone," "Camera Controller," "Samsung Wallet," and other familiar Samsung ecosystem features.

The Galaxy Watch FE has a 247mAh battery that lasts up to 40 hours with the always-on display disabled; the Galaxy Watch 6 has a larger battery capacity but lasts up to 40 hours with the always-on display disabled.

Galaxy FE phones have been a success for Samsung and shoppers alike over the past few years, so it makes sense that the Galaxy Watch would receive similar treatment; given that the Galaxy Watch 7 is coming soon, the timing of this launch is a bit unexpected. The Galaxy Watch 7 will be the first of its kind to be released in the U.S. But perhaps the Galaxy Watch 7 will be more expensive and the Galaxy Watch FE will look like the ultimate bargain.