Samsung is launching a cheaper smartwatch

Samsung is adding a smartwatch to its "FE" portfolio of devices - gadgets a step below its premium offerings without veering into budget territory. Dubbed the Galaxy Watch FE, the new smartwatch will retail for $399 when it hits Australian shelves on July 1.

A cheaper price point does naturally mean some compromises. The Watch FE is only available in a 40mm size, while the Galaxy Watch 6 is also available in 44mm. The Galaxy Watch FE's 1.2-inch display is also a touch smaller than the 1.3-inch screen on the 40mm Galaxy Watch 6. Other differences include a slightly smaller battery, an older processor, and 1.5GB of RAM rather than 2GB.

Otherwise, the Galaxy Watch FE has most of the hardware specs you'd expect from a modern smartwatch. These include NFC payments, GPS, sapphire crystal glass on the screen, and IP68 and 5ATM water resistance. The Galaxy Watch FE runs WearOS 4 with Samsung's OneUI Watch 5 software on top, just like the manufacturer's flagship watches. As such, you'll get an identical feature set.

For comparison, the Galaxy Watch 6 typically retails for $549, making the Galaxy Watch FE $150 cheaper. It's worth noting that EOFY sales have made the Watch 6 more affordable, however. Samsung itself is selling the Galaxy Watch 6 for $384.30 right now, and we've seen it as cheap as $320.99 on Amazon. Optus is also including the Watch 6 as a bonus with Galaxy S24 plans as part of its EOFY deals.

Samsung is expected to introduce a Galaxy Watch 7 in July, alongside updates to its foldable phone portfolio. As such, the Galaxy Watch FE might make more sense in the context of a new smartwatch lineup, rather than when compared to last year's models.

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Alex Choros

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Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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