The rumor mill has been churning, and recent leaks suggest Samsung is gearing up to launch a new smartwatch: the Galaxy Watch FE. The “FE” or “Fan Edition” devices” are typically a more affordable version of a flagship product. In this case, it suggests the Galaxy Watch FE will be a close cousin to the 2021 Galaxy Watch 4.
But will there be any key differences between these two devices? Based on the details we have collected from the rumor so far, here’s how the two smartwatches might compare against each other.
1. A Familiar Design and Hardware
The leaked renders show that the Galaxy Watch FE will borrow heavily from the Galaxy Watch 4’s design. We’re looking at a circular watch face with an aluminum body, housing a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display. Watch FE being similar to Watch 4 isn’t necessarily a bad thing – the latter has received praise for its sleek and comfortable design.
Under the hood, things seem equally familiar. Reports point to the Galaxy Watch FE utilizing the same Exynos W920 chipset and 1.5GB of RAM as the Watch 4. The W920 is still a capable processor for smooth performance for everyday tasks and fitness tracking. It will have 16GB of storage.
Likewise, the Watch FE will retain features like 50m water resistance and IP68 and MIL-STD-810H certifications from the 2021 Watch 4.
2. Differences
The primary difference between the Watch 4 and the Watch FE in terms of hardware specifications will be the battery. The Galaxy Watch 4 offers a moderate battery life, lasting around 40 hours on a single charge with its 361mAh cell.
In contrast, the Galaxy Watch FE is said to come with a smaller 247mAh battery that will offer up to 30 hours of battery life. It will still support magnetic charging as the Watch 4.
The Galaxy Watch 4 was a landmark device, being among the first to adopt the then-new Wear OS 3 platform co-developed by Samsung and Google in 2021. It now runs on Wear OS 4, with Samsung reportedly testing Wear OS 5 for the Watch 4.
The Watch FE, on the other hand, is expected to come with Wear OS 5 out of the box, and it may receive major platform updates for a longer period than the Watch 4. So software could be another deciding factor for those choosing between the Galaxy Watch FE and the Watch 4.
Now, the biggest differentiator between the Galaxy Watch FE and Galaxy Watch 4 could be the price tag. The “FE” moniker typically denotes a more affordable version of existing flagships. If this holds, the Watch FE could be a more budget-friendly option for those seeking core smartwatch functionalities.
3. Availability and Targeting Different Audiences
The Galaxy Watch 4 was launched in late 2021, and it’s possible that Samsung might phase it out or limit its availability with the arrival of the FE. Samsung will likely position the FE as the more readily available option in the market.
Samsung’s “FE” strategy in smartphones has targeted value-conscious consumers seeking flagship features at a lower price point. The Galaxy Watch FE might follow suit, appealing to those who prioritize core functionalities of a smartwatch like fitness tracking, app support and more without needing to spend much.
4. Conclusion
Based on leaks, the Galaxy Watch FE appears to be a close relative of the Galaxy Watch 4. The core design, hardware, and likely software are expected to be very similar. The key difference, as we mentioned earlier, could be the price, making the FE a more affordable entry point into the Galaxy Watch ecosystem.
We’ll get the full picture with the official launch of the Galaxy Watch FE. Until then, expectations are for a familiar user experience at a more accessible price.
