Samsung Galaxy S23 FE hands-on review: compact powerhouse

When I’ve had the opportunity to use Samsung’s FE-series phones, I can say without reservation that they offer an unparalleled level of value in comparison to other smartphones on the market. I was just recently able to get my hands on the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, which is the first phone in the FE series to be released since the S21 FE. This brand-new version carries on the long-standing heritage of providing outstanding value.

When compared to the flagship Galaxy S23 series. Which consists of some of the best Android phones currently on the market, the Galaxy S23 FE stands out thanks to its combination of high-end specifications and a price tag that won’t leave a hole in your wallet. This is especially true when considering the price difference between the two series.

The Galaxy S23 is an appealing option since it strikes a mix between powerful features and cost-effective pricing. As a result, it is a good pick. You are in the right place if you are interested in learning more about the features that the Galaxy S23 FE possesses. I’ll talk about the insights and experiences I’ve gained while using this device.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is an unexpectedly stacked smartphone that was introduced by Samsung in between the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy S23.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Design

As soon as you look at the Galaxy S23 FE, it’s clear that it shares many of the same design features with the Galaxy S23. The Galaxy S23 FE is built on the Galaxy S23, which is why this is the case. In fact, I thought it was a Galaxy S23 when I saw it for the first time because it was made of metal and had Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back. Besides that, it only weighs 7.4 ounces, which is not much.

While the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE doesn’t have the most eye-catching look, it doesn’t need to be because it’s one of Samsung’s best phones in terms of features and price. If nothing else, I’m glad to hear that it’s built well and can handle water just like the S23; in fact, its IP68 rating is one level better than the Galaxy A54’s IP67 rating. I’m glad the grade is about the same. There are also a lot of nice colors for the Galaxy S23 FE.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Performance and Battery

Compared to Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE, the Galaxy S23 FE’s Snapdragon 888 to Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 boosts performance. This is weaker than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that drives the rest of the S23 series, which could be a concern. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE should perform well, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can become heated and suck power, thus battery life may be worse than on other Galaxy S23 phones.

This processor throttles under heavy loads, but if you’re not gaming, it may not matter. The Galaxy S23 FE’s 4,500mAh battery, which is much larger than the ordinary Galaxy S23’s 3,900mAh, should counterbalance the processor’s inefficiency. It also supports 25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W wireless PowerShare charging for other devices.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has a slightly smaller camera configuration than the standard Galaxy S23 series. The 50MP primary sensor with f/1.8 aperture and adaptive pixel technology blends pixel binning and the high-resolution 50MP sensor to create a sharp image with four pixels in one. It supports OIS and Samsung Nightography for low-light shooting.

A 12MP ultrawide camera like the Galaxy S23 is included. Samsung’s telephoto camera employs an 8MP sensor instead of the Galaxy S23’s 10MP. However, it provides 3x optical zoom for distant objects. Samsung used a 10MP sensor with f/2.4 aperture for the front camera, down from the 12MP f/2.2 sensor on the Galaxy S23. Your selfies won’t be as sharp, but they’ll work.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Software

The user interface of the Galaxy S23 FE will feel very similar to anyone who has used a Samsung Galaxy device released in the last several years. It runs Samsung’s One UI on top of Android 13, and it doesn’t really offer much that’s unique or different from the other phones in the series that I’ve tried out. I believe that the simplistic appearance and straightforward functioning will appeal to the vast majority of individuals.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Performance

The Galaxy S23 FE uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Again, I wasn’t anticipating this chip, possibly something smaller like the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, but I’m not complaining. In my brief testing, the older Samsung chip is more than adequate for daily work, even though it’s not as modern as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip in the S23 range. It’ll be interesting to compare benchmark performance against the Galaxy S23 and A54. Samsung claims the Galaxy S23 FE’s big vapor chamber improves gaming performance. I don’t doubt this, especially because some phones overheat when gaming.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Price And Availability

As I previously mentioned, the Galaxy S23 FE has a price tag of $599, which places it in the middle between the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy S23, both of which had starting prices of $449 and $799, respectively. It makes sense for Samsung to price its products in this way because it provides customers an additional choice: they can choose not to spend more money on the Galaxy S23, but they can still get more premium features than what the A54 has to offer.

In anticipation of the launch of the Galaxy S23 FE on October 26, preorders for the phone are currently being accepted by Samsung and can be placed at any time. There will be a total of four color possibilities to pick from, and they are as follows: graphite, cream, mint, and purple. I believe that this will lend some allure to the lineup. The 128GB and 256GB storage options, on the other hand, are suitable for this phone as they provide capacity that is in excess of what is required.

Final Words

Permit me to give some observations about the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE based on my own personal experience with the device. It may not boast the same high-end hardware as the flagship S23 series, but the lower price point makes it an appealing alternative if you’re seeking for a more budget-friendly smartphone that retains many of the features we adore in Samsung’s top-tier devices. If you’re searching for a smartphone that retains many of the features we cherish in Samsung’s top-tier devices, consider the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: The Good and Bad

With the release of the Galaxy S23 FE, a high-end smartphone that offers a great deal of value for its cost, Samsung is once again challenging its competitors for the title of best value.

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