Samsung’s $99 Galaxy Watch is the best Wear OS deal right now – here’s how to qualify

While Samsung’s latest foldable phones, earbuds, and smart ring have been at the center of attention, if you look past the fanfare, you’ll find a lingering Galaxy device that’s secretly the best wearable deal right now. I’m talking about the Galaxy Watch FE, which sells for $199 but can be yours for only $99 (that’s 50% off) when you trade in any smartwatch in any condition.

That’s easily one of the best trade-in promotions I’ve seen, so much so that I upgraded my mom’s Galaxy Watch 2 without hesitation. It’s a new Samsung smartwatch for $99, folks.

Let me break this deal into two parts: what you’re getting from a $199 smartwatch and how to get it for the $99 price. The Galaxy Watch FE is Samsung’s entry-level wearable, meaning it’s ideal for users who just want a smartwatch that nails the basics like fitness and health tracking, syncing notifications and alerts, and providing timely information. 

Does this model have a fancy scroll wheel or ultra-rugged design like the more expensive Galaxy Watches? Absolutely not. The 1.2-inch (40mm) display is also slightly smaller than most watches, and if you’re banking on the Watch FE to have the latest Galaxy AI features, your odds are slim.

Also: The best Android smartwatches in 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

If such tradeoffs aren’t dealbreakers for you, however, like in my mom’s case, then the Watch FE will be more than sufficient. In fact, while it’s cheaper than other Samsung watches, the Watch FE still has the company’s BioActive Sensor to capture wellness data, NFC for mobile payments, and LTE support. It also runs on the same OneUI Watch 5/Wear OS 4 software as the more premium models.

As for the deal itself, Samsung will discount $100 instantly so long as you commit to trading in any smartwatch in any condition upon receiving the Watch FE. Yes, that means you can set an old Garmin smartwatch on fire, drop it from a roof, send it to Samsung, and still get the Watch FE for just $99. We first saw this deal several months back, but if we had to guess, it won’t be here forever. Don’t miss a chance to snag a new Samsung watch for yourself or a loved one now (and recycle that old watch in the back of your drawer).