Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Apple Watch SE 3
Best Budget for iPhone UsersSamsung Galaxy Watch FE
Best Budget for Android UsersPrice
$219-$249
$150-$200
Summary
The cheapest way into Apple's ecosystem with most of the flagship health features intact — sleep tracking, crash detection, temperature sensing, and now 5G. For iPhone users, nothing else at this price comes close.
Samsung's Fan Edition brings nearly all the flagship Galaxy Watch health and lifestyle features to a more affordable price. The best Wear OS budget option for Android users who want a real smartwatch experience.
Pros
- Latest S10 processor, always-on display, and 5G connectivity at under $250
- Sleep Score, Workout Buddy, sleep apnea notifications, and temperature tracking included
- Ultrafast charging added in third generation
- Deep iPhone integration unmatched by any Android-compatible alternative
- Nearly identical health and lifestyle features to Samsung's flagship Galaxy Watch lineup
- Full Wear OS with Google Play app support
- Irregular heart rhythm notifications and fitness tracking included
- PCMag-recommended as best budget WearOS smartwatch
Cons
- iPhone-only — useless if you're on Android
- Still $219-$249, which is the high end of 'budget'
- No ECG or blood oxygen sensor compared to Series 11
- Works best when paired with Samsung phones for full AI features
- Battery life is mediocre compared to Amazfit or Huawei alternatives
- Older design compared to Galaxy Watch 8
Our take
If you're on iPhone, stop looking at Amazfit and just save up for the SE 3 — the ecosystem integration alone makes it worth the stretch, and Tom's Guide calls it the best cheap smartwatch you can buy.
The Galaxy Watch FE is the Android answer to the Apple Watch SE — you get the full Samsung health platform without paying flagship prices, and PCMag explicitly calls it the best budget-friendly Wear OS smartwatch.
Buy
