The leaks had been proper. Samsung simply introduced it’s launching a 3rd smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch FE. It’s meant to be the corporate’s new entry-level smartwatch, providing a extra reasonably priced possibility in comparison with its flagship Galaxy Watch fashions.
It is sensible that Samsung’s doing this now. The Galaxy Watch sequence was comparatively reasonably priced in comparison with the competitors, however previously two years, Samsung’s raised the beginning value of its watches by $50 to maintain up with inflation. The FE will retail at $199 for the Bluetooth-only model and at $249.99 for the LTE model — which is extra in step with what its watches used to price. This additionally makes Samsung’s smartwatch lineup look a bit extra like Apple’s, with a funds mannequin, flagship mannequin, and a extra premium possibility.
Like different entry-level fashions, the FE forgoes some bells and whistles to get that extra palatable value. For instance, the FE solely is available in a single 40mm measurement with a barely smaller 1.2-inch OLED show. The FE additionally has the last-gen Exynos W920 chip as a substitute of the W930, with 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Many of the sensors stay the identical, however you do surrender the temperature sensor that was launched final 12 months. The battery can also be smaller at 247mAh. The Verge requested if the FE will assist quick charging however didn’t get a response.
That mentioned, you’re not giving up that a lot. Regardless of being the funds mannequin, the FE has the identical sapphire crystal lens, IP68 score, and 5ATM of water resistance. It’s additionally acquired the identical one-click strap mechanism, NFC funds, and built-in GPS. Connectivity-wise, you get LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, and Wi-Fi. Additionally just like the flagship watches, the FE has OneUI Watch 5 and Put on OS 4, irregular excessive / low coronary heart fee notifications, EKGs, physique composition evaluation, and customized coronary heart fee zones.
Saying the FE now is a little bit of a shock. Samsung sometimes unveils its wearables at its summer season Unpacked occasion, which is predicted to happen subsequent month in Paris. That mentioned, this 12 months’s occasion might be a really stacked one for Samsung’s wearable lineup. On prime of a brand new Galaxy Watch 7, we’re anticipating to see a brand new Galaxy Watch Extremely and the Galaxy Ring. All issues thought of, the comparatively easy FE would’ve simply gotten misplaced within the shuffle.
The Bluetooth model of the Galaxy Watch FE goes on sale within the US beginning June twenty fourth. The LTE model arrives later this 12 months.