Samsung Galaxy Watch FE vs. Garmin Forerunner 165: Which Budget Smartwatch is Best in 2026?

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Budget Smartwatches Battle: Samsung Galaxy Watch FE vs. Garmin Forerunner 165

Finding a smartwatch that balances features, performance, and price can be tricky. You want something reliable, with good battery life, and the right blend of smart features and health tracking, all without dipping into premium prices. In 2026, two strong contenders in the sub-£200 / $250 bracket are the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE and the Garmin Forerunner 165.

These watches cater to slightly different users: the Galaxy Watch FE is designed for those who want a true 'smart' experience on their wrist with decent fitness tracking, especially if they're already in the Samsung ecosystem. The Forerunner 165, on the other hand, is built for the fitness enthusiast, prioritising accurate activity tracking and robust health metrics above all else. Let's break down which one might be best for you.

Quick Comparison Table

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE takes cues from its more premium siblings, offering a sleek, circular design with an aluminium frame and a vibrant AMOLED display. It feels premium on the wrist, making it suitable for both casual wear and workouts. It's relatively compact and lightweight, coming in a single 40mm size, which is great for smaller wrists but might feel a little small for some. It has an IP68 rating and 5ATM water resistance, making it durable enough for swims and everyday splashes. The physical 'digital bezel' interaction is also quite intuitive.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 has a distinctly sportier aesthetic. While it now features a bright AMOLED display, a significant upgrade over previous budget Forerunners, it still relies on five physical buttons for navigation. This is a blessing for runners and athletes who prefer tactile feedback, especially during sweaty workouts or when wearing gloves. It's also lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear, though perhaps less 'fashion-forward' than the Galaxy Watch FE. It boasts 5ATM water resistance and is built to withstand the rigours of active lifestyles.

Key Features and Software Experience

Samsung Galaxy Watch FE: Your Smart Companion

Running on Wear OS Powered by Samsung, the Galaxy Watch FE offers a full smartwatch experience. You get access to a vast array of apps from the Google Play Store, seamless notifications from your smartphone, and features like Samsung Wallet for contactless payments. Health tracking includes heart rate monitoring, advanced sleep tracking, ECG for heart rhythm assessment, and even Body Composition Analysis (BIA) to help you understand your body better. It integrates beautifully with Samsung Health and your wider Samsung ecosystem, making it a powerful extension of your phone.

Garmin Forerunner 165: The Athlete's Essential

The Forerunner 165 is all about fitness. It excels in GPS accuracy for outdoor activities, offering detailed metrics for running, cycling, swimming, and more. Key features include wrist-based heart rate, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitoring, advanced sleep tracking with sleep score, and daily suggested workouts tailored to your recovery and training status. It provides insights into Training Effect, Recovery Time, and adapts to your performance over time. While it offers smart notifications and calendar integration, its app ecosystem is much more limited compared to Wear OS. The Music version allows for offline music storage, which is a huge plus for runners leaving their phone behind.

Performance and Battery Life

The Galaxy Watch FE offers a smooth and responsive user experience thanks to its Wear OS platform and Samsung's Exynos W920 processor. Apps load quickly, and navigating menus is fluid. However, its battery life is typically around 1-2 days with moderate use, which means nightly charging for most users. If you use always-on display or GPS frequently, expect to charge more often.

Battery life is where the Garmin Forerunner 165 truly shines, especially compared to its Wear OS rival. Garmin quotes up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 19 hours with GPS tracking. This means you can go for days, sometimes even a week or more, without worrying about finding a charger, making it ideal for multi-day adventures or simply reducing charging anxiety. While its interface is less 'app-rich', it's highly efficient and reliable for its core fitness functions.

Value for Money

Both watches sit in a similar price bracket, making them excellent value for their respective strengths. The Galaxy Watch FE gives you a comprehensive smartwatch experience with solid health tracking, especially if you value app access and smartphone integration. The Forerunner 165 provides unparalleled fitness tracking and exceptional battery life for its price, making it a strong choice for those prioritising sports performance metrics.

Alternatives to Consider

• For a more budget-friendly pick: If both of these are still a stretch, consider a fitness tracker like the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro. It offers basic smart features, comprehensive health tracking, and excellent battery life at a significantly lower price point, though without the full app ecosystem or advanced GPS of a smartwatch.

  

  Check price for Xiaomi Smart Band 8 ProFree returns · No extra cost to you · Prices update daily
• For a premium fitness upgrade: If you love the Garmin ecosystem but want more advanced metrics and mapping, look at the Garmin Forerunner 265. It's a step up in price but offers multi-band GPS, triathlon support, and even more detailed training insights.

  

  Compare prices for Garmin Forerunner 265Free returns · No extra cost to you · Prices update daily

Which Budget Smartwatch Should You Buy?

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE and the Garmin Forerunner 165 in 2026 really comes down to your priorities. If you're looking for a genuine 'smart' experience on your wrist, with a vibrant display, a rich app ecosystem, and seamless integration with your Android (especially Samsung) phone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is the clear winner. It's perfect for managing notifications, making payments, and getting a broad overview of your health.

However, if your primary focus is on detailed, accurate fitness tracking, especially for running and outdoor sports, coupled with exceptional battery life, the Garmin Forerunner 165 is superior. It's designed for those who live an active lifestyle and want reliable data to inform their training, without needing a constant connection to a vast app store.

Ultimately, both are fantastic options in their price category, but they serve different masters. Pick the one that aligns best with your daily needs and lifestyle.