I’ve been studying up on the Apple Watch SE 3, Galaxy Watch FE, and Fitbit Encourage 3. Each guarantees one thing completely different.

All people loves a superb deal. That’s why finances smartwatches just like the Samsung Galaxy FE and Fitbit Encourage 3 exist. They skip the flowery extras of premium fashions however depart more cash 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 acquired an inexpensive smartwatch from TEMU for just some {dollars}. I warned him to not anticipate a lot—that it’d simply inform time. I used to be incorrect! You can also make and obtain calls, set alarms, monitor exercises, monitor coronary heart charge and blood stress, hold a calendar, rely steps, monitor sleep, and even use a calculator. The checklist appears countless. Now, in case 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 provides probably the most bang in your buck.

Show

The Galaxy Watch FE sports activities a 1.19-inch Tremendous AMOLED display 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 would possibly discover distracting.

Fitbit’s Encourage 3 comes with a coloration show, and the display works with out draining the battery. Its brilliant AMOLED contact display additionally has an always-on mode, so you’ll be able to examine 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 At all times-On Retina display, 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 less complicated however cheerful with its coloration pop. The Apple Watch SE 3 delivers the smoothest, most interactive show of the bunch.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE seems to be 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 typically mistake one for the opposite. The FE stands out with sapphire crystal glass that feels robust, and it is available in Black, Pink Gold, and Silver—decisions that go well with most types.

The Fitbit Encourage 3 isn’t a lot completely different from the Encourage 2. Its important unit stretches a bit wider and longer, and the silicone band retains the identical smooth 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 straightforward to put on all day.

Apple Watch SE 3 boosts sturdiness with a customized Ion-X glass cowl that resists cracks 4 occasions higher than the earlier mannequin, says the Cupertino firm. The band choices are Darkish Blue, Neon Yellow, and Purple cloth loop. In my opinion, the SE 3 feels sportier and harder for on a regular basis put on.

Dimension and weight

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch FE is available in one dimension—40 mm (1.57″)—with coloration 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″) instances 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 snug 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 anticipate 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 seems to be contemporary, some tech inside feels a bit dated.

The Fitbit Encourage 3 provides 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 probably the most out of assets like Sleep Profile information and Day by day Readiness scores, however the fundamentals are sturdy 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 information that feed into the Vitals app.

Quick charging helps you put on the Apple Watch in a single day with out worrying about operating out of battery, which suggests you get full sleep insights like length, phases, and detailed Vitals information. The Exercise app pushes you to shut your Transfer, Train, and Stand rings. On my iPhone, I really like checking my historical past to see if I’m maintaining. Typically I miss a aim, 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. Except for that, all the things else on the SE 3 runs with ease due to the quicker S10 chip.

Battery life

With the always-on show on, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE runs for about 27 hours in case 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. Change to Low Energy Mode, and it will probably go so long as 32 hours. To date, we don’t have impartial assessments to verify Apple’s numbers.

Value

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 right down to priorities. The Fitbit Encourage 3 stands out for its light-weight design, easy health monitoring, and lengthy battery life at a low value. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch FE seems to be sturdy and packs strong options, although its older processor reveals it’s not cutting-edge.  The Apple Watch SE 3 delivers the smoothest show, quicker 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 probably the most bang in your buck.