Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: A Flagship Experience at a Friendly Price (With Caveats)
The Galaxy S23 FE arrives as Samsung’s answer to the “affordable flagship” market, offering a taste of the high-end experience without the sky-high price tag. But is it a worthy compromise, or a confusing mix of strengths and shortcomings? Let’s dive in.
Strengths:
- Premium Design and Display: The S23 FE inherits the sleek, modern design language of its flagship siblings, with a glass and aluminum build that feels luxurious and sturdy. The 6.4-inch AMOLED display is a stunner, boasting vibrant colors, sharp details, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for a buttery-smooth experience.
- Powerful Performance: Packing the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, the S23 FE tackles demanding tasks with ease. Multitasking, gaming, and even heavy video editing are handled effortlessly. You won’t be left waiting for apps to load or experience lag.
- Solid Camera System: While not quite on par with the true flagships, the S23 FE’s camera system delivers good results. The 50MP main sensor captures sharp photos with accurate colors, and the ultrawide lens is great for capturing expansive landscapes. The telephoto lens is a nice addition for zoom, though not the most powerful.
- Long-lasting Battery: The S23 FE packs a decent 4,800mAh battery that can easily last a full day on moderate usage. Even heavy users will likely reach the charger before bedtime.
- Software and Updates: As expected from Samsung, the S23 FE ships with the latest One UI software, which is packed with useful features and customization options. Samsung’s track record for consistent and timely updates is also a plus.
Weaknesses:
- Camera Consistency: While the S23 FE’s camera is good, it can struggle in low-light situations, producing noise and artifacts. The telephoto lens is also not as versatile as on higher-end models.
- Missing Features: Compared to the full-fledged S23 series, the FE model lacks some premium features like a true telephoto lens, wireless charging, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.
- Price vs. Competition: While more affordable than flagship models, the S23 FE still faces stiff competition from other excellent mid-range and even some flagship killers that offer similar performance and features at lower price points.
Galaxy S23 FE Specs
Feature | Specification |
---|---|
Display | 6.4-inch, 2340 x 1080 AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 128GB or 256GB (not expandable) |
Rear Camera | 50MP main (wide), 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto |
Front Camera | 10MP |
Battery | 4,800mAh |
Charging | 25W fast charging |
Operating System | Android 13, upgradeable to Android 14 |
Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
Biometrics | In-display fingerprint sensor |
Dimensions | 159.4 x 74.9 x 7.9 mm |
Weight | 183g |
Colors | Graphite, White, Green, Lavender |
Release Date | October 27, 2023 |
Additional Notes:
- The table only shows the key specifications. For a more comprehensive list, please refer to the official Samsung website or other tech review sites.
- Prices may vary depending on the region, storage capacity, and retailer.
Galaxy S23 FE benchmark
The Galaxy S23 FE has been benchmarked by various platforms, and its performance can be summarized as follows:
Overall:
- AnTuTu score: 1,073,002 (75th percentile)
- This score indicates that the S23 FE is a flagship-level performer, capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking with ease.
Individual Scores:
- CPU: 315,906 (95th percentile) – Excellent single-core and multi-core performance.
- GPU: 373,247 (55th percentile) – Strong GPU performance for smooth visuals in games and graphically demanding applications.
- Memory: 164,351 (55th percentile) – Fast RAM ensures smooth multitasking and app loading times.
- UX: 220,558 (80th percentile) – The phone delivers a responsive and user-friendly experience.
Comparisons:
- The S23 FE scores slightly lower than the full-fledged S23 series in GPU and UX benchmarks, likely due to slightly less powerful components.
- However, it surpasses most mid-range and “flagship killer” phones in overall performance and individual scores.
Important Notes:
- Benchmark scores are just one indicator of performance and may not reflect real-world usage.
- User experience can vary depending on factors like software updates, app optimization, and individual usage patterns.
I hope this review helps you decide if the Galaxy S23 FE is the right phone for you. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask!
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