Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (Fan Edition) has been launched as part of Samsung’s strategy to offer flagship-level features at a more accessible price point. The FE series has historically struck a balance between premium features and affordability, catering to consumers who want a top-tier experience without the hefty price tag of the regular S series. With the Galaxy S23 FE, Samsung continues this tradition by incorporating some of the best features from the Galaxy S23 flagship series while making smart compromises to keep the cost down. But is this trade-off worth it? Let’s dive into this comprehensive review.

Design and Build Quality

One of the most noticeable aspects of the Galaxy S23 FE is its design. The smartphone carries the premium design language that Samsung has been perfecting over the years.

Premium Aesthetics

The S23 FE retains the modern, sleek design that has become synonymous with Samsung’s flagship models. It’s built with a glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) and a plastic back encased in an aluminum frame, giving it a sturdy yet lightweight feel. The plastic back is a cost-saving measure compared to the glass back of its flagship siblings, but it doesn’t feel cheap. In fact, the plastic is of high quality and does a great job at avoiding fingerprints and smudges, which is an added bonus for users who want their devices looking pristine.

Color Options

The Galaxy S23 FE comes in a variety of attractive colors, including Graphite, White, Mint, and Lavender, catering to different personal styles. Samsung has taken care to ensure that the finish on each model is both refined and durable, giving it a premium feel without the flagship price tag.

Ergonomics

With dimensions of 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm and a weight of around 200 grams, the Galaxy S23 FE strikes a good balance between screen size and portability. It fits comfortably in hand, and the slightly curved edges add to its ergonomic feel. Users will appreciate the solid build, which makes the device feel durable, even if it lacks the ultra-premium glass construction of the higher-end Galaxy S23 models.

IP Rating

The IP68 rating for water and dust resistance is another excellent feature, making the Galaxy S23 FE one of the most durable devices in its class. This means the phone can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes—perfect for those inevitable splashes or drops.

Display: A Feast for the Eyes

Samsung is well-known for its high-quality displays, and the Galaxy S23 FE does not disappoint in this department. While it may not match the resolution or panel quality of the top-tier Galaxy S23 Ultra, it still offers an impressive visual experience.

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is a standout feature, boasting a 1080 x 2400 resolution with HDR10+ support. The colors are vibrant, the blacks are deep, and the contrast is sharp, offering a visually stunning experience whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or just browsing the web.

120Hz Refresh Rate

One of the most significant features for display lovers is the 120Hz refresh rate. This smoothens animations, improves the responsiveness of touch, and makes the overall user experience fluid. Whether you’re scrolling through social media feeds or playing fast-paced games, the high refresh rate ensures everything runs smoothly and without lag.

Outdoor Visibility

Thanks to a peak brightness of 1200 nits, the S23 FE performs well in outdoor environments, even under direct sunlight. Texts and images remain readable without any major reflections or glare, making it easy to use in a variety of lighting conditions.

Performance: Flagship-Level Processing

Performance is one area where the Galaxy S23 FE continues to punch above its weight. Samsung offers two chipsets depending on the region: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Samsung’s Exynos 2200. Both are high-end processors, but they come with slight differences in performance.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs Exynos 2200

The Snapdragon variant is generally preferred in markets like the US due to its superior power efficiency and thermal management. It’s capable of handling demanding tasks such as gaming, multitasking, and photo/video editing with ease. The Exynos 2200, while still a powerful chipset, has been criticized in the past for not being as efficient or consistent under heavy loads compared to Snapdragon, but improvements have been made with this iteration. Both chipsets are more than capable of delivering a flagship-level experience.

RAM and Storage

The Galaxy S23 FE comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, paired with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. While 6GB may seem a bit on the lower end for a 2023 smartphone, Samsung’s optimization ensures smooth multitasking and fast app switching. The UFS 3.1 storage provides faster read and write speeds, improving overall performance, especially in loading apps and games.

Gaming Performance

When it comes to gaming, the Adreno 730 (in Snapdragon) or Xclipse 920 GPU (in Exynos) ensures you can run graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, PUBG, or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings without noticeable frame drops. The 120Hz refresh rate adds to the gaming experience, making fast-paced games feel more responsive and engaging.

Camera: Versatile and Reliable

One of the most crucial aspects of any smartphone review is its camera performance, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE doesn’t disappoint. Although it doesn’t have the high-end camera setup of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, it still offers a versatile, well-rounded camera system.

Triple-Camera Setup

The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a 12 MP primary camera, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.

1. Main Camera: The 12 MP sensor captures detailed and vibrant photos in most lighting conditions. The optical image stabilization (OIS) helps in producing sharp, blur-free images, especially in low-light scenarios.
2. Ultrawide Camera: The 12 MP ultrawide lens offers a wide field of view, making it perfect for landscape photography or group shots. While there can be slight distortion at the edges, Samsung’s software does a good job of correcting this.
3. Telephoto Camera: The 8 MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom allows you to capture distant subjects without losing detail. This is great for taking portrait shots or zooming in on distant objects without resorting to digital zoom, which can degrade image quality.

Low-Light Performance

In low-light conditions, Samsung’s Night Mode automatically kicks in to enhance details and reduce noise. The results are impressive, with well-lit scenes, even in near-dark environments. The AI-based scene optimization further helps in adjusting the settings based on the subject, ensuring the best possible shot in various conditions.

Selfie Camera

The front-facing 32 MP selfie camera is perfect for social media enthusiasts. It captures sharp and detailed selfies in a variety of lighting conditions. Portrait mode does a fantastic job at separating the subject from the background, delivering professional-looking bokeh effects.

Video Recording

For videographers, the Galaxy S23 FE can shoot videos in 4K at 60fps. The videos are smooth, detailed, and well-stabilized, thanks to both OIS and EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization). Samsung has also included features like Super Slow-Mo and Hyperlapse, which add creative options for content creators.

Battery Life: Long-Lasting and Reliable

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is powered by a 4500 mAh battery, which is slightly larger than its predecessor. Combined with the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200, the device delivers solid battery life.

Real-World Usage

In real-world use, the Galaxy S23 FE easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. This includes tasks like browsing, streaming videos, taking photos, and some gaming. For light users, it can stretch to a day and a half, which is impressive for a device with a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display.

Charging

While the S23 FE doesn’t come with a charger in the box, it supports 25W fast charging, allowing you to recharge the battery from 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes. This isn’t the fastest charging speed on the market, especially compared to some competitors offering 65W or even 120W charging, but it’s still respectable for most users. Additionally, the device supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, which lets you charge your earbuds or other compatible devices on the go.

Software: One UI 5 and Android 13

The Galaxy S23 FE comes with One UI 5 based on Android 13 out of the box. Samsung’s One UI is one of the most polished and feature-rich Android skins available, offering a clean and intuitive user experience.

Customization

One UI 5 offers extensive customization options, allowing users to personalize everything from the home screen layout to themes and fonts. Samsung has also added features like Edge Panels, which provide quick access to apps and shortcuts, and **Bix by side, which offers some smart suggestions and voice commands for those who prefer Samsung’s virtual assistant over Google’s Assistant.

Smooth Performance

With the power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chipsets, One UI 5 runs smoothly with minimal stuttering or slowdowns. Whether you’re switching between multiple apps, running heavy tasks, or simply scrolling through your feed, the software feels responsive and well-optimized for the hardware.

Samsung’s Ecosystem Integration

One UI 5 integrates seamlessly with Samsung’s ecosystem, including Samsung DeX, which allows you to turn your phone into a desktop-like experience by connecting it to a monitor. Additionally, the phone pairs easily with other Samsung devices like Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Tabs, and Galaxy Watches, creating a unified user experience.

Security and Updates

Samsung has committed to providing four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches for the Galaxy S23 FE, which is an exceptional promise in the Android world. This ensures that users will receive all the latest features and security enhancements for years to come, giving the phone excellent longevity.