The Apple Watch SE has always served as a great entry point into Apple’s smartwatch ecosystem and is a great buy for anyone who can do without advanced health monitoring features. Whichever size you choose, the Apple Watch SE, now in its second generation, usually sits south of the MYR 1,500 price mark, which makes it good value for a first-time Apple Watch buyer. But is it best option available to you? Samsung thinks otherwise.
Beyond the high walls of Apple’s restrictive ecosystem, things are looking exciting in the affordable end of the smartwatch segment. Samsung has just announced the Galaxy Watch FE – a cut-price alternative to the Galaxy Watch 6 that also aims to compete with the OnePlus Watch 2. Unlike Apple’s barebones Watch SE 2nd Gen, the Galaxy Watch FE is brimming with features and may question the logic of investing in the pricier Galaxy Watch 6!
A deeper look into the specifications sheet of the Galaxy Watch FE, however, reveals how Samsung was able to release such a feature-packed smartwatch at such a lower price of USD 199 (approximately MYR 938). The Watch FE is essentially a repackaged Galaxy Watch 4 from 2021 – an older generation of the Galaxy Watch 6 that has been selling at much lower prices for years.
Although choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE and Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen primarily boils down to the operating system your phone runs on, we decided to pit them against each other.
A Samsung Galaxy Watch FE vs Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen comparison could end up playing a crucial role in choosing your next smartphone ecosystem, even if there’s a minute chance of such a situation arising (most of us usually prioritise the phone’s features over a smartwatch).
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE vs Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen comparison
Design and display
The question of square vs round! If you have a preference for the shape of your smartwatch, this aspect solely depends upon you.
However, if the shape doesn’t matter, then there is a possibility of being drawn to the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen. Its squarish dial along with a slightly curved edge display enhances the premium appeal and its attention to detail is immaculate. The square display, whether you choose the 40mm or 44mm variant, accommodates text and images naturally better. The digital crown is another convenience for navigating the watchOS UI. The OLED display is great for a watch in this category.
That said, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch FE with its round shape looks more like a watch. The fit and finish are decent but the Watch FE is not as exquisitely finished as the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen. The absence of a crown or Samsung’s iconic rotating bezel also takes away from the user experience. The funky colours and straps could attract younger and fashion-centric audiences. Samsung’s AMOLED panel is bright and vivid but the thick round bezels seem intrusive, especially in comparison to the Apple Watch SE.
Winner: Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen
Smart aspects
This is more of a Wear OS 5 vs watchOS 10 debate! Excusing your platform preferences, both smartwatches are the smartest of their kind in the industry today.
The Galaxy Watch FE is relying on Watch OS 5 with the One UI skin, which is currently one of the most polished experiences you can have in the Android camp. You can check notifications, respond to messages, take calls, navigate using Google Maps and download third-party apps from the Google Play Store. Our only concern is the Samsung-made 5nm Exynos W920 processor that’s a generation old by now – you could see sluggish performance at times while dealing with intensive tasks like using the maps or tracking rigorous workouts. The device also lets you make online NFC-based payments via Samsung Wallet.
That’s not to say that the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen packs cutting-edge hardware. Based on the older S8 chip, the Watch SE isn’t as capable as the latest Watch 9. However, Apple’s software optimisation for its older devices is far superior to Samsung’s efforts. Hence, whether you attend calls on your watch all day or track your hour-long workout session, the Apple Watch SE will be smooth and always ready for whatever you throw at it. The high-quality watch faces and superior integration with the iPhone make it seem like a natural extension of your smartphone on the wrist.
Hence, it is the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen once again that takes the second point here.
Winner: Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen
Health metrics
Although the Apple Watch has built a reputation for being the gadget of choice for fitness enthusiasts, the Watch SE 2nd Gen isn’t interested in indulging that crowd. In pursuit of achieving a lower price tag, the Apple Watch SE can only monitor your heart rate, sleep patterns, calories and stress. It misses out on modern essentials like blood oxygen saturation monitoring and ECG. You still get the option to track your workouts and get a detailed insight into your health parameters.
That’s where the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE shines. The Galaxy Watch FE features Samsung’s BioActive sensor that can measure heart rate and atrial fibrillation, sleep cycles, ECG, body composition and blood pressure. It also offers over 100 workout modes to keep an eye on your health metrics. For a fitness enthusiast seeking a complete package, the Galaxy Watch FE is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Hence, if health monitoring is a primary concern, there’s nothing better than the Galaxy Watch FE.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
Battery life
The Galaxy Watch FE is available in only a single 40mm version and that restricts it to a small 247mAh battery. On average, the Galaxy Watch FE should manage to last an entire day before needing a refill. Samsung clubs a wireless charging dock with the Galaxy Watch FE.
With the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen, you get the ability to choose the 44mm version with a larger 296mAh battery. In theory, this should last an entire day and survive a night’s sleep-tracking before needing a top-up. The Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen also comes with a wireless charging dock as standard.
Hence, if you want a smartwatch that needs fewer visits to the charging dock, the Apple Watch SE 44mm is your best bet.
Winner: Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen
Price
The Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen is currently selling for MYR 1,349 if you choose the larger 44mm version. Those looking for a great deal will also find the starting prices of the smaller 40mm variant palatable at MYR 1,199.
However, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch FE has been announced at a price of USD 199 for the 40mm GPS version. That roughly translates to MYR 938, thereby making it more economical than the Apple Watch SE.
Hence, the Galaxy Watch FE is a no-brainer winner here.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE vs Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen: Our verdict
Winner: Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen
Despite Samsung’s smart attempts to offer a feature-packed smartwatch at a much lower price, it is the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen that wins this Samsung Galaxy Watch FE vs Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen comparison.
The Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen is pricey and lacks most of the modern-day health monitoring features that we have come to expect from premium smartwatches. However, its superior performance coupled with a slightly better battery life and a nicer build quality makes it more desirable than its rivals.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is at best recommendable for those who seek ultimate fitness monitoring solutions on their smartwatch over swift performance.
(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Samsung and Apple)
This article first appeared here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which one is better – the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE or the Apple Watch SE?
The Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen emerged victorious in our comparison with the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE.
– When is the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE going to launch?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE goes on sale from 24 June 2024.
– Is Galaxy Watch FE cheaper than Apple Watch SE?
Yes, the Galaxy Watch FE is cheaper than the Apple Watch SE.
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Amritanshu lives and breathes tech, cars, Formula 1, space stuff and everything that delivers an adrenaline rush. Since 2016, he converted his favorite hobby of going all gaga over iPhones and Lamborghinis into his profession; hence, you aren’t likely to be surprised upon checking his browser history. In his spare time, he loves to drive and explore food joints, but will somehow end up with a plate of Chicken Biryani and a big smile. He has previously written for Hindustan Times, India Today, BGR.in, and Deccan Chronicle.
