Samsung’s latest Fan Edition smartphone, the Galaxy S23 FE, was introduced in October 2023. This marks the company’s return to the lineup after a year, since it skipped the Galaxy S22 FE in 2022, which is surprising given how popular the Galaxy S21 FE was among users. Nonetheless, the S23 FE has all of the features and specifications you’d expect from a phone.
However, the announcement has left potential purchasers perplexed about the difference between the phone and the vanilla Galaxy S23, which was announced earlier this year at the Galaxy Unpacked event. Of course, the Galaxy S23 is part of Samsung’s flagship smartphone series. But does the S23 FE provide greater value? Is it worthwhile to invest in the more economical option?
Let’s compare the Galaxy S23 to the Galaxy S23 FE. Of course, the phones have many similarities, but the distinctions are what you should consider and make your selection on.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S23 VS THE S23 FE: SPECS COMPARISON
Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 FE are two fascinating smartphones from the current flagship generation. It is understandable to question about their differences, performance, and, most importantly, which one to choose. If you answered yes, you’ve come to the correct place.
The Galaxy S23 FE is more akin to a late-arriving Galaxy S22 FE, as it uses previous-generation semiconductors and shares much of its hardware. However, the added weight and bigger bezels reveal its less-than-premium character.
The Galaxy S23 FE is the latest addition to the S23 series, offering the core Samsung experience at a lower price. It features a stunning 2X AMOLED display, 8GB of RAM, and a massive 4,500mAh battery. The normal Galaxy S23, with its 6.1-inch display, is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a smaller smartphone. Despite its size, it retains most flagship features, such as a 120Hz AMOLED display, a 50MP camera, and more.
CAMERA
While both the Galaxy S23 and S23 FE feature a triple-camera configuration, there are a few distinctions between them. To begin with the similarities, the flagship phones feature a 50MP/f1.8 main shooter with Samsung’s Adaptive Pixel technology. This feature, which was first introduced with the Galaxy S22 series, allows you to shoot extremely detailed photographs while using minimal storage space. The S23 and S23 FE also include a 12MP ultrawide camera with a massive 132-degree field of view and an f/2.2 aperture.
However, the S23 features marginally better telephoto and front-facing cameras than its younger sister. The S23 comes with a 12MP selfie camera with a quicker f2.2 aperture, whereas the S23 FE sports a 10MP/f2.4 front camera. Similarly, the S23’s 10MP telephoto camera produces clearer photographs at 3x zoom than the S23 FE’s 8MP lens. So, in terms of image resolution, the Samsung Galaxy S23 slightly outperforms the S23 FE.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
In terms of design language, the Galaxy S23 FE and Galaxy S23 are nearly identical – which is kind of the goal. The FE, or Fan Edition, variation is based on the flagship, to lower the S23’s basic design to a lower price range. That is, both use the same glass and aluminum materials, as well as the same camera cutout and rear. Well, virtually identical.
There are some minor variations that we mentioned in our S23 FE review, such as the camera module protruding slightly further, slightly thicker bezels, and the usage of older Gorilla Glass 5 rather than Victus 2, but for the most part, you’re getting a pretty near duplicate.
Both have IP68 dust and water protection, which is a particularly significant selling point for the FE given its mid-range price point, while it is standard on flagships.
The only noticeable difference between the two smartphones is the screen size; the ordinary Galaxy S23 has a 6.1-inch display, but the S23 FE has a larger 6.4-inch display.
In our assessment, we were particularly impressed with the normal S23’s size, noting how easy it was to operate and wield one-handed. The S23 FE’s somewhat larger dimensions make it not quite the same, but it is still a smaller option than the plethora of 6.7-inch alternatives.
Both include FHD+ resolution, Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology, a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ compatibility, though the S23 includes LTPO technology that allows it to drop down to as low as 48Hz to enhance battery economy. It’s also somewhat brighter, having a maximum brightness of 1750nits versus the S23 FE’s 1450nits, but the difference isn’t obvious in most situations.
Regardless of whatever option you choose, you’ll enjoy the clear, colorful display experience with inky blacks that AMOLED technology is known for.
HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?
First and foremost, unlike the Galaxy S23, which has the same highly rated Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset in all markets, the S23 FE has either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or the Exynos 2200 depending on whether you purchase it in North America or elsewhere in the world. This is a problem because we know from prior instances where Samsung has done this that there is a noticeable difference in performance and power efficiency, usually in favor of the Snapdragon variant.
We tested the S23 FE with Samsung’s Exynos 2200 chipset, which was outperformed by the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside the S23 in all of our benchmark tests. That being said, we experienced no hiccups or a lack of power while using the FE for daily work or gaming. However, the camera app seemed less responsive at times.
When it comes to software upgrades, both phones have the same condition, with four years of major OS updates and five years of security patches. Both phones presently have the newest OneUI 6 version, which is based on Android 14.
GET THE GALAXY S23 FOR:
- A more compact body.
- The Victus 2 has a more durable build with Gorilla Glass.
- Faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
- High-resolution zoom and selfie cameras.
- Improved battery life.
GET THE GALAXY S23 FE FOR:
- A larger screen.
- Louder speakers.
- The more reasonable price.
