Galaxy Watch 4 2.0
Samsung is repackaging its Galaxy Watch 4 with a lot of the identical specs within the Galaxy Watch FE. We appreciated the 2021 Watch 4 at launch, however subsequent Galaxy fashions have made some key upgrades. Nonetheless, this can be a strong choice if you wish to get monetary savings on a brand new machine with years of software program assist forward of it.
For
- Reasonably priced value
- Most of identical sensors (HR, SpO2, ECG, BIA)
- Comparable battery life
- Ought to have 4 years of updates
- Sapphire Glass safety
In opposition to
- Final-gen Exynos with much less RAM
- Smaller, duller show
- No second show measurement choice
- No temperature sensor
Extra polished
Till the Galaxy Watch 7 arrives, that is the one Android smartwatch we suggest earlier than the remainder. In comparison with the Watch FE, it has an improved show, sooner efficiency, an additional sleep sensor, and different minor tweaks you’d anticipate throughout three generations of units.
For
- Newest Exynos CPU with extra RAM
- A number of show choices, Traditional improve
- Bigger, brighter show
- Included temperature sensor
- Skinnier design
In opposition to
- Dearer
- First 12 months of software program assist is over
- About to be supplanted by Galaxy Watch 7
Is Samsung’s new Fan Version watch ok for you? Our Samsung Galaxy Watch FE vs. Galaxy Watch 6 information will run by each foremost distinction that will help you determine.
The Galaxy Watch FE is, in some ways, a re-released Galaxy Watch 4. Usually, Fan Version units just like the Galaxy S23 FE are minor downgrades on their flagship siblings however with distinct designs. The Galaxy Watch FE is not equivalent to the 2021 smartwatch, but it surely’s shut.
Does that imply it is best to skip the Galaxy Watch FE and easily purchase the Galaxy Watch 6, which you’ll often discover on sale? It is a honest argument, however we’ll attempt to give the Fan Version watch its honest shake and clarify why “followers” would possibly wish to purchase one—or look forward to the Galaxy Watch 7.
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE vs. Galaxy Watch 6: Design and show
The Galaxy Watch FE matches the smaller Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch 5 with its dimensions (40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8mm), 1.2-inch show measurement, and 330 pixels per inch (ppi). Not like these fashions, which had a second 1.4-inch choice, the Galaxy Watch FE has no measurement improve.
For comparability, the Galaxy Watch 6 has the identical 330ppi decision however a smaller show border, so it begins with a 1.3-inch show that hits 2,000 nits of brightness—plus a 1.5-inch mannequin. Samsung did not specify, however you’ll be able to safely assume the Galaxy Watch FE hits 1,000 nits like past-generation watches.
Whereas the Watch 6 weighs 2.8g greater than the Watch FE—in all probability because of a extra superior biosensor—it measures 0.8mm thinner. One way or the other, Samsung has prioritized a extra compact design with its newest watch. That, mixed with the skinnier bezel, will make the Galaxy Watch 6 look barely higher.
[A quick side note: Both the Galaxy Watch 6 and FE are thicker than Samsung claims; it always measures without accounting for the sensor array. In truth, the Galaxy Watch 6 is about 12mm thick, while the Watch FE should be about 13mm thick.]
The Galaxy Watch 4 got here in 4 colours; the Watch FE has three of the identical colours (Black, Pink Gold, and Silver), lacking out on Inexperienced. It’s going to even have new watch bands with “distinct blue and orange stitching,” plus a “one-click band” for swapping the default choice out to your personal 20mm band.
The first Fan Version design improve is to the show: it has Sapphire Glass just like the Galaxy Watch 6 and 5 as an alternative of Gorilla Glass DX+ for the Galaxy Watch 4. That makes it higher protected towards scratches. In any other case, all latest Galaxy Watches are absolutely mud and water resistant.
Samsung says the Galaxy Watch FE handed the MIL-STD-810G testing normal for cover—the identical because the Galaxy Watch 4—whereas the Galaxy Watch 6 handed the newer MIL-STD-810H normal. We would not essentially name the Galaxy Watch 6 “rugged,” however it might be barely extra proof against shock or excessive temperature circumstances.
Extra typically, each watches have Samsung’s trademark digital bezel, which helps you to rotate your finger across the show to scroll by Tiles. Despite the fact that the Watch 6 has a smaller show border, it should not have an effect on the standard of the expertise. As an alternative, the Watch FE could possibly be barely much less dependable as a result of it has an older Exynos chipset, which suggests an extended response time.
Solely the Galaxy Watch 6 has a “Traditional” improve with a bodily rotating bezel. However this watch begins at $399, twice the beginning value of the Watch FE.
Galaxy Watch FE vs. Galaxy Watch 6: {Hardware}, sensors, and battery
| Class | Samsung Galaxy Watch FE | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Colours | Black, Pink Gold, Silver | Graphite, Gold (40mm solely), Silver (44mm or 40mm with LTE) |
| Supplies | Aluminum, Sapphire Crystal glass | Aluminum, Sapphire Crystal glass |
| Dimensions | 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8mm | 38.8 x 40.4 x 9mm OR 42.8 x 44.4 x 9mm |
| Weight (w/out strap) | 25.9g | 28.7g or 33.3g |
| Safety | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810G | 5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H |
| Processor | Exynos W920 (1.18GHz) | Exynos W930 (1.4GHz) |
| Reminiscence | 1.5GB RAM/ 16GB storage | 2GB RAM/ 16GB storage |
| Show | 1.2-inch (396×396, 330ppi) Tremendous AMOLED | 1.3-inch (432×432) or 1.5-inch (480×480) Tremendous AMOLED |
| Battery | 247mAh, wi-fi charging | 300mAh or 425mAh, wi-fi charging |
| Sensors | BioActive Sensor (Optical HR, ECG, BIA), accelerometer, barometer, gyro, geomagnetic, mild | BioActive Sensor (Optical HR, ECG, BIA), accelerometer, barometer, gyro, geomagnetic, mild, temperature |
| Connectivity | LTE (optionally available), Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, GPS/Glonass/Beidou/Galileo | LTE (optionally available), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, GPS/Glonass/Beidou/Galileo |
| Software program | Put on OS 4 / One UI 5 Watch | Put on OS 4 / One UI 5 Watch |
| Updates | Unconfirmed, however probably 4 main OS updates, safety by summer time 2028 | 4 main OS updates, safety by summer time 2027 |
Samsung gave the Galaxy Watch FE the identical last-gen Exynos W920 chip because the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5. The chip within the Galaxy Watch 6 hits a barely increased clock velocity, and the watch has an additional 0.5GB of RAM.
In my Galaxy Watch 6 assessment, I famous that the last-gen Exynos felt quick on the time, however the brand new Exynos and reminiscence enhance make “apps open ever-so-slightly sooner” and that “issues look much less jittery as a result of it correctly exhibits the transition as one app leaves the display screen and one other seems.” That is why utilizing the capacitive bezel is “a lot simpler” on the Watch 6.
The hole between Exynos chips is a lot smaller than, say, the hole between Snapdragon 8 generations in flagship Android telephones. However you will discover a distinction right here, particularly after Put on OS updates add new, extra demanding options.
Samsung hasn’t made many well being sensor upgrades previously few generations. The Galaxy Watch FE will monitor coronary heart price, sleep phases, irregular coronary heart rhythm, blood oxygen, and different passive knowledge. You’ll be able to actively verify your coronary heart well being with the ECG or your physique composition with the BIA sensor. And Samsung will calculate customized coronary heart price zones based mostly in your exercise knowledge.
Solely the Galaxy Watch 6 gives physique temperature knowledge in a single day, which may contribute to sleep knowledge. In the event you actually need that info, the Galaxy Watch FE is not the look ahead to you.
Samsung hasn’t but shared the Galaxy Watch FE’s battery life estimate or charging velocity. We assume it’s going to final about 40 hours out of the field, because the previous few generations have. From the Galaxy Watch 4 to five, Samsung doubled the wi-fi charging velocity from 5W to 10W, chopping the charging time from 2 hours to 75 minutes. We hope the Galaxy Watch FE has the newer normal, however we concern it has the previous.
Both watch allows you to pay $50 to improve to an LTE mobile model, and each have NFC tap-to-pay, Wi-Fi, and built-in GPS. The Galaxy Watch FE makes use of an older Bluetooth 5.0 normal as an alternative of 5.3, which may supply higher connection stability and requires much less energy to switch knowledge.
Galaxy Watch FE vs. Galaxy Watch 6: Value and software program updates
We have run by a ton of minor-but-notable variations between the Galaxy Watch FE and Galaxy Watch 6. So, what is the level of shopping for the Galaxy Watch FE?
For starters, it prices $199 to the Galaxy Watch 6’s $299; with LTE, it’s going to value $250 to the Watch 6’s $350; sadly, the LTE Galaxy Watch FE will not ship till October.
Value apart, Samsung sometimes offers its new watches 4 OS updates and 4 years of safety updates. Because the Galaxy Watch 4 got here out in 2021, it’s going to lose assist subsequent summer time. The Galaxy Watch FE primarily allows you to purchase that watch and have it final you till the summer time of 2028 as an alternative, with a number of extra Put on OS upgrades.
We have reached out to Samsung to substantiate that the Galaxy Watch FE will get the standard 4 years of assist; it is troublesome to suggest with out that assure, however we’ll assume it for now.
Samsung guarantees that the Galaxy Watch FE may have “customizable new watch faces.”
Galaxy Watch FE vs. Galaxy Watch 6: Which must you purchase?
The Galaxy Watch 6 has a number of upgrades over the Galaxy Watch FE: a brighter show with a smaller border, a sooner CPU with extra RAM, a temperature sensor, a thinner design, higher Bluetooth connectivity, and improve choices with bigger shows or Traditional design. It is simply the greatest Android watch out there immediately.
Then again, the Galaxy Watch FE has almost all the identical sensors, has the identical Sapphire Glass and IP68 safety, weighs barely much less, and (we assume) 4 years of Put on OS updates. It is not the worst compromise for a $199 watch, and technically, a brand new Galaxy Watch FE would have extra software program assist than the Galaxy Watch 6 since that got here out final 12 months.
Samsung is releasing the Galaxy Watch FE now in order that the upcoming Galaxy Watch 7 and rumored Galaxy Watch 7 Extremely do not steal its thunder. You could wish to wait till Galaxy Unpacked to verify what this new technology brings to the desk for the reason that Watch FE is predicated on {hardware} that can be 4 years outdated by that time.
Galaxy Watch 4 2.0
Select the Galaxy Watch FE is a low value is your first precedence, and you do not want each cutting-edge smartwatch characteristic. Skip it in the event you’re not happy with downgrades to efficiency or the show.
Extra polished
Select the Galaxy Watch 6 if you’d like sooner velocity, extra show house, a Traditional improve choice, or physique temperature readings. Skip it if you wish to get monetary savings otherwise you’re prepared to attend for the Galaxy Watch 7.