By Nicole Tringali
Can a budget smartwatch really compete? The Samsung Galaxy FE 40mm says yes. I think this is the best smartwatch deal of 2025.
In fact, I think it may be the smartest smartwatch yet, proving that style and tech can totally go hand in hand without a hefty price tag. Whether you’re crushing workouts, staying on top of notifications, or just want to rock a sleek accessory, the Galaxy watch FE 40mm has got me covered.
And believe me, I’ve already put this little gem through its paces: tracking my workouts, analyzing my sleep, keeping me connected, and even saving me from missing important calls when my hands were covered in flour (because pie crust waits for no one).
So, let’s dive into why this compact, powerhouse of a watch might just be 2025’s must-have gadget.
Design and Comfort: Like It’s Not Even There
Let’s start with the basics: comfort. The Galaxy Watch FE 40mm is light. It’s so light, I barely feel it on my wrist, which is a big deal when you’re someone who wears a watch all day long, including overnight. Weighing just 26.6 grams, it’s as if Samsung built it with the thought, “Let’s make something so comfortable, you forget it’s there.” And the 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display? It’s bright and clear (even in direct sunlight), making it easy to check my steps, see the time, or answer a call while I’m on my morning walk.
The band is comfy too – no pinching, no awkward tightness, and it’s totally adjustable. I love how I can easily swap it out with different colors or styles. I went with the Pink Gold one (because it’s just the right amount of I-have-my-life-together), but there’s also Black and Silver if that’s more your vibe. It’s sleek enough to dress up for work, subtle enough to wear at the gym, and definitely cute enough to keep on while running errands.
Health & Fitness Tracking: My Personal Wellness Coach On Your Wrist
The health tracker is the real MVP of the watch. If you’re the type who loves tracking every little detail about your health (I feel JUDGED!), this watch delivers. It monitors your heart rate 24/7, detects irregularities, and even has an ECG feature for more in-depth heart health insights.
Then there’s sleep tracking. The first thing I do in the morning, before I’m even out of bed, is check my sleep score. The sleep tracker gives me a breakdown of REM, deep, and light sleep, plus awake time. This is super useful because I can see if I’m getting those precious deep sleep hours (spoiler: I’m not). It even tracks blood oxygen levels and, if you allegedly snore (not saying I do, but if I did…), it’ll let you know. Waking up to a wellness score has made me rethink my late-night TikTok scrolling habits.
The Body Composition Analysis is another standout. It measures muscle mass, fat percentage, and body water levels, which is perfect for keeping tabs on my fitness progress – especially when I say I’m bulking but really just want an excuse to eat more pasta.
Calls and Connectivity: Hands-Free and Stress-Free
Before this watch, I didn’t know I needed the ability to take calls directly from my wrist. But as I learned, if you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of making a pie crust, hands covered in flour, only to hear your phone ring and think, “Well, that’s just not gonna happen,” then the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE 40mm is about to become your new best friend. Normally, I would’ve had to stop everything, wash my hands, grab my phone, and try not to get dough all over the place. But with the Galaxy Watch FE 40mm? I just tapped my wrist (using my chin because, hello flour?) and voila, call answered, and crisis averted.
The surprising part? The sound quality. I was extremely impressed by the clarity of the call. The built-in speaker and mic stood up well to the ambient noise of my commercial-grade mixer. The conversation sounded crisp and easy, and when I told my friend that I was talking from my watch, she couldn’t believe how clear the call was. She really had no idea I wasn’t on my actual phone. Plus, I love that I can decline calls or even reply with a quick text, all from my wrist.
Durability & Water Resistance (For When Sweat, Showers, and Life Happens)
Not going to lie, I’ve had my share of “oops” moments with technology before from dropping my phone in a puddle (more times than I can count) to accidentally running my ear buds through the washer machine. So, durability is especially important to me, and the Galaxy Watch FE 40mm delivers on that. For starters, the watch is IP68-rated, meaning it’s water-resistant and sweat-proof, so I don’t have to worry about it in the shower or during a sweaty workout. In fact, it’s great for swimming too. I’ve tracked a few laps in the pool and it holds true to its promise. Plus, the screen is protected by sapphire crystal, which makes it resistant to scratches. So, whether I’m baking, swimming, or just living life, this watch is keeping up.
Easily Control Music & Audio On The Go
Okay, this might be my favorite feature. You know those moments when you’re working out on a machine or hiking up a mountain, and you just need to get your groove going to make it through this hurtle? The Galaxy Watch FE 40mm lets me easily control my playlist right from my wrist. Whether I’m switching back and forth from my history podcast to my favorite workout jams, a quick tap on the wrist helps keep my audio on track when I’m in motion. Forgot your earbuds home? This happened to me just the other day, and I can attest, the built-in speakers get the job done. The watch is Bluetooth compatible and pairs with any Bluetooth headphones for an even better experience.
Top 5 Reasons to Grab the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE 40mm
:: Heart Health Monitoring: Stay on top of your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts.
:: Sleep Tracking: Get a full breakdown of your sleep stages, snoring, and breathing patterns to improve your quality of rest (so helpful).
:: Call Answering and Notifications: Stay connected without ever having to pull out your phone.
:: Water-Resistant & Sweat-Proof: Whether you’re swimming, showering, or working out, this watch is ready for it all.
:: Music Control on the Go: Easily control your playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks right from your wrist.
Overall Usability
Pros:
:: Comprehensive health tracking (heart rate, sleep, body composition)
:: Comfortable for all-day and night wear (So light and comfortable, I forget I’m wearing it!)
:: Clear call quality with built-in speaker and microphone
:: Water-resistant for swimming and workouts
:: Stylish design with customizable bands
Cons:
:: Battery needs daily charging with heavy use
:: Need a cellular plan to take calls from the watch (I splurged for it and it was a good call for me, but something to consider.)
Final Rating: 4.9/5 Stars
In short, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE 40mm is totally worth the hype. It’s stylish, functional, and versatile, making it the perfect accessory for anyone who needs a smartwatch that does it all. Honestly … it’s made my life so much easier, especially when I’m elbow-deep in dough. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a wellness score to check and a pie crust to finish.