I’ve been studying up on the Apple Watch SE 3, Galaxy Watch FE, and Fitbit Encourage 3. Every one guarantees one thing completely different.
All people loves a great deal. That’s why price range smartwatches just like the Samsung Galaxy FE and Fitbit Encourage 3 exist. They skip the flowery extras of premium fashions however go away extra money in your pocket. Now that Apple’s Watch SE 3 is right here, the alternatives really feel much more tempting.
Out of curiosity, my brother received an affordable smartwatch from TEMU for only a few {dollars}. I warned him to not count on a lot—that it’d simply inform time. I used to be incorrect! You can also make and obtain calls, set alarms, observe exercises, monitor coronary heart price and blood strain, hold a calendar, rely steps, observe sleep, and even use a calculator. The checklist appears countless. Now, should you’re weighing the Apple Watch SE 3, Samsung Galaxy FE, and Fitbit Encourage 3, expectations go up. Every has its perks, and we’re about to see which one offers essentially the most bang on your buck.
Show
The Galaxy Watch FE sports activities a 1.19-inch Tremendous AMOLED display screen with 396 by 396 pixels and sapphire crystal glass. It’s a bit smaller than the 1.3-inch show on the 40 mm Galaxy Watch 7 and retains these giant bezels from the Galaxy Watch 5, which some may discover distracting.
Fitbit’s Encourage 3 comes with a shade show, and the display screen works with out draining the battery. Its shiny AMOLED contact display screen additionally has an always-on mode, so you may verify the time or see your steps with out touching the watch.
Apple Watch SE 3 places the show entrance and middle. Each look issues, whether or not you’re studying a notification or checking exercise stats. The S10 chip powers an All the time-On Retina display screen, letting you see the time and notifications with out lifting your wrist or tapping the show.
In comparison with the FE, the Encourage 3 feels easier however cheerful with its shade pop. The Apple Watch SE 3 delivers the smoothest, most interactive show of the bunch.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE appears to be like quite a bit just like the Galaxy Watch 7, which sells for $209.99. Each share the identical clear, rounded form, and I’ve to confess, at first look, I generally mistake one for the opposite. The FE stands out with sapphire crystal glass that feels powerful, and it is available in Black, Pink Gold, and Silver—selections that go well with most kinds.
The Fitbit Encourage 3 isn’t a lot completely different from the Encourage 2. Its most important unit stretches a bit wider and longer, and the silicone band retains the identical modern form with minor tweaks. The tracker has a light-weight plastic physique, and the detachable silicone band is available in Midnight Zen/Black, Morning Glow/Black, and Lilac Bliss/Black. I like that it leans extra towards easy health than flashy tech, which makes it simple to put on all day.
Apple Watch SE 3 boosts sturdiness with a customized Ion-X glass cowl that resists cracks 4 instances higher than the earlier mannequin, says the Cupertino firm. The band choices are Darkish Blue, Neon Yellow, and Purple material loop. For my part, the SE 3 feels sportier and harder for on a regular basis put on.
Measurement and weight
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch FE is available in one measurement—40 mm (1.57″)—with shade choices in black, pink gold, and silver. Fitbit Encourage 3 contains 2 silicone bands within the field. The small band matches wrists from 130–190 mm (5.1–7.5″), whereas the big band matches 160–220 mm (6.3–8.7″). Apple’s Watch SE 3 presents extra selection with 40mm (1.57″) and 44 mm (1.73″) circumstances in aluminum finishes of midnight or starlight.
The Watch FE is 0.38 inches thick and weighs 0.9 ounces. That makes it heavier than the Fitbit Encourage 3, which weighs simply 0.32 ounces—about the identical as a flash drive. Fitbit additionally retains the design comfy with a slim half-inch band suited to exercises and all-day put on.
Apple hasn’t revealed the burden of the Watch SE 3 but, however because it’s pitched as a connectivity possibility for teenagers, I count on it to be nearer to Fitbit’s feather-light design than Samsung’s sturdier construct.
Health and well being
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE packs many of the similar software program methods because the Watch 7. You get exercise monitoring, notifications, and well being instruments like EKGs and physique composition checks. Mainly, something you are able to do on the Watch 7, the FE can deal with, too.
However don’t get it twisted—the Watch FE is only a Galaxy Watch 4 in disguise. It runs on Samsung’s older processor from 2021 and skips the pores and skin temperature sensor. So whereas it appears to be like contemporary, some tech inside feels a bit dated.
The Fitbit Encourage 3 offers you a strong set of health-tracking options. It tracks SpO2 to measure oxygen in your blood and comes with Fitbit’s full lineup of sleep and stress instruments. You’ll want Fitbit Premium to get essentially the most out of assets like Sleep Profile knowledge and Each day Readiness scores, however the fundamentals are robust sufficient on their very own.
The Apple Watch SE 3 steps up the sport with richer well being monitoring than its final model. You get sleep scores, ovulation estimates, sleep apnea alerts, and wrist temperature knowledge that feed into the Vitals app.
Quick charging helps you put on the Apple Watch in a single day with out worrying about working out of battery, which suggests you get full sleep insights like period, phases, and detailed Vitals knowledge. The Exercise app pushes you to shut your Transfer, Train, and Stand rings. On my iPhone, I like checking my historical past to see if I’m maintaining. Generally I miss a purpose, but it surely’s enjoyable to trace progress and purpose for a more healthy routine.
It’s a bummer that Apple nonetheless leaves EKG out of the SE 3, limiting it to higher-end fashions. Other than that, every part else on the SE 3 runs with ease because of the sooner S10 chip.
Battery life
With the always-on show on, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE runs for about 27 hours should you use it reasonably and skip GPS, says PCMag’s Andrew Gebhart. Flip off the always-on show, and it stretches previous 40 hours even with GPS energetic.
The Fitbit Encourage 3 retains the identical battery life as its predecessor, even with the always-on show added, writes TechRadar’s Andrea Gaini. It nonetheless lasts round 10 days whether or not you utilize the always-on show or auto-wake mode. That’s spectacular contemplating always-on mode ought to eat extra energy.
Apple says the Watch SE 3 can last as long as 18 hours below common use. Swap to Low Energy Mode, and it may possibly go so long as 32 hours. To this point, we don’t have unbiased exams to substantiate Apple’s numbers.
Worth
Samsung’s Galaxy FE 3 prices $199.99 for the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi model. It comes with GPS and NFC for contactless funds, and the LTE mannequin runs $249.99.
Fitbit launched the Encourage 3 in September 2022 at $99.95. The Black/Lilac Bliss mannequin now drops to $84 with a 16% low cost.
Apple’s Watch SE 3 opens for preorder on September 19. The 40 mm mannequin begins at $249, whereas the 44 mm prices $279.
Verdict: Apple Watch SE 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy FE vs. Fitbit Encourage 3
Taking a look at all three, it looks like the selection comes all the way down to priorities. The Fitbit Encourage 3 stands out for its light-weight design, easy health monitoring, and lengthy battery life at a low worth. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch FE appears to be like sturdy and packs strong options, although its older processor reveals it’s not cutting-edge. The Apple Watch SE 3 delivers the smoothest show, sooner efficiency, and richer well being monitoring, but it surely prices extra and nonetheless skips EKG.
Total, the SE 3 appears finest for feature-packed efficiency, whereas the Encourage 3 presents essentially the most bang on your buck.