After missing the Galaxy S22 FE, Samsung is back with their Fan Edition line with the Galaxy S23 FE. It’s a mid-range smartphone that offers some of the most sought-after features and design elements of its latest flagship, the Galaxy S23.
With the Galaxy S23 FE, you’ll be able to enjoy the latest top-of-the-line features without breaking the bank, but only a few months behind.
We will explore what you’ll get and what Samsung has left off with the Galaxy S23 FE. We’ll also see how it compares to the competition and if it’s worth getting for the price you’re paying.
5 Key Features of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- It sports an upgraded AMOLED 2x display that’s sharper, brighter, and more vibrant but uses much less power for improved battery life.
- The phone offers a flagship-grade triple camera system for taking photos during the day or night.
- Features the powerful octa-core Samsung Exynos 2200
- Longer-lasting batteries should last more than a day with moderate usage for your watching and gaming activities.
- Offers the full Samsung experience, from the latest Android and One UI versions to features like Smart Switch and DeX.
Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
If you’re a Samsung fan and want a premium-looking and performing phone without spending flagship prices, the Galaxy S23 FE has got to be on the top of your list. You will get a large AMOLED display, a capable camera system, and a powerful Exynos chipset.
On top of that, you’re also going to enjoy signature Samsung features like wireless charging, Samsung Pay, and Samsung DeX.
As a pared-down version of the Galaxy S23, there are some flagship features you won’t find on it, such as the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It also sports a plastic back rather than glass and does not support eSIM.
As an affordable version of the Galaxy S23 series, it’s a solid choice that delivers on most fronts. However, if you want the very best from Samsung, you will want to consider spending more on their flagships.
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What is the Price of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE in Dubai and UAE
Samsung makes its pricing simple with the new Galaxy S23 FE as it only comes with one variant at launch with 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage priced at AED 2,299. Although a 128GB variant is coming soon, it’s currently unavailable.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has four colour options: mint, purple, cream, and graphite. You can buy it from various online and offline retailers in the UAE, such as Amazon.ae or Sharaf DG. There are a couple of special colours only available if you order the phone directly from Samsung UAE’s website.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Specs
| Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | |
| Display | 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution120 Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Octa-core Samsung Exynos 2200 (4nm) |
| Memory | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Rear Camera | Main: 50MP f/1.8, PDAF, OISTelephoto: 12MP f/2.2 with 3x optical zoomUltrawide: 8MP f/2.4 |
| Front Camera | 10MP f/2.4 |
| Battery | 4500 mAh |
| Operating System | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Other Features | IP68 water and dust resistanceUnder display optical fingerprintWireless chargingSamsung PaySamsung DeX |
| Dimensions | 158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Weight | 209 g |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi Direct, USB-C |
Design and Build Quality
If you’re familiar with the aesthetics of the Galaxy S23 series, you’re going to feel right at home with the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. You’re going to notice a similar design but with some differences in terms of material.
Iconic Design
The phone inherits its design language from the Galaxy S23 series. Expect to see curved edges and thin bezels, making it easy and comfortable to hold. One of the main differences is the material used on the back side, with the FE having a plastic back with Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
The plastic back may feel less premium and more prone to scratches, but it also makes the phone lighter than the Galaxy S23.
Button and Speaker Placement
You’ll find the power and volume buttons on the phone’s right side while the SIM tray is on top. At the bottom, you’ll find the USB-C port, a speaker grille, and a microphone. The audio from the speakers is decent for a mid-range device, but they’re not as loud or clear as the Galaxy S23.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has a stunning display that can be considered the best in its class. It’s not going to match the display on the Galaxy S23, but it’s going to be close enough and better than most mid-range options.
AMOLED 2x
The phone’s display uses AMOLED 2x technology, an improved version of AMOLED. It offers higher brightness with lower power consumption and better colors to give you a more immersive experience.
Size and Resolution
If you’re looking for a small phone ideal for streaming videos, playing games, and browsing the web, the Galaxy S23 FE’s 6.4-inch display is the one to watch out for. With a display resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, it’s sufficient for most types of content.
It’s not as high as the QHD+ of the Galaxy S23 series, but the lower resolution helps save battery life and improve performance.
Vision Booster
A bit of AI tech is embedded in the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE with Vision Booster. It’s a feature that enhances the smoothness of displayed videos by upscaling them and increasing the framerate to match the phone’s 120Hz display. This feature is perfect for various video apps like YouTube, Netflix, TikTok, and more.
Performance
The Galaxy S23 FE is a powerful smartphone capable of easily handling most tasks. It uses Samsung’s Exynos 2200 chipset based on a 4nm process, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage. Let’s see how it fares.
Exynos Chipset
The Exynos 2200 chipset is Samsung’s processor that directly competes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It has four Cortex-A78 cores clocking at 2.9GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency.
When it comes to responsiveness to different tasks and apps, the performance of the Exynos 2200 is smooth and snappy. It also excels in gaming and multitasking and should have no issues running demanding games like Asphalt 9: Legends and PUBG Mobile.
RAM and Storage
Coupled with the Exynos chipset, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. These are generous for a mid-range device, allowing you to run multiple apps in the background without your phone suffering from lag or slowdowns.
Camera
As part of the Galaxy S23 line, the FE version has a great camera system capable of taking stunning photos in various lighting conditions.
Rear Cameras
The triple rear camera system of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is highlighted with a 50MP main camera with f/1.8, PDAF, and OIS. It can capture detailed photos with a good dynamic range and colour accuracy.
A 12MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom capabilities can zero in on distant targets without losing quality. Finally, it has an 8MP ultrawide camera with a 123-degree field of view that easily fits your group photos in a single frame.
Front Camera
The front shooter is a 10MP with f/2.4 aperture that will allow you to take decent selfies and even support face unlock. It can record 4K video at 30fps, which is excellent if you use it for vlogging or video calls.
Nightography-Photo
The highlight of the Galaxy S23 FE’s cameras is its Nightography-Photo feature. It’s Samsung’s fancy branding for night mode photography, and they have improved on it over the years. Your phone can automatically detect low-light situations and use AI to enhance photos.
It’s a feature that works on both the rear and front cameras, so you consistently produce amazing images no matter how dark the condition is.
Battery Life
The FE version brings the battery longevity of its higher-end siblings. It can last a full day of moderate to heavy use with fast wired and wireless charging to top it up in a pinch.
Capacity
Similar to the Galaxy S23, the FE version packs a 4500mAh battery that is more than enough to last you a day. It handles tasks like browsing, streaming, and gaming without draining too fast. You’ll also enjoy notable power-saving features like Adaptive Power Saving and Optimized Mode.
Super Fast Charging
The phone supports 25W fast wired charging, which charges your battery from 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes. However, the downside with the Galaxy S23 FE is that it doesn’t come with an adapter in the box, and you’ll have to buy it separately.
Software
Samsung has greatly improved its Android and One UI game, and the Galaxy S23 FE shows that.
Android and One UI
As of the Galaxy S23 FE’s release, Android 13 is the latest version of Google’s operating system, introducing improvements in privacy and smart device controls. However, Android 14 is just around the corner, and the phone should get an update as soon as it’s ready for the public.
On top of Android, Samsung uses its One UI custom skin, adding more features to its impressive software capabilities. You’ll enjoy features like Dark Mode, Edge Panel, Bixby Routines, Smart Switch, and Samsung DeX.
Software Update Support
Samsung has committed to providing up to four major OS updates and five years of security patches to the Galaxy S23 FE. The phone will get Android 14, 15, 16, and 17 updates and newer versions of One UI.
This update schedule is an excellent advantage to the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, as most midrange phones only get up to two to three years of OS and security updates.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Alternatives
The Google Pixel 7a is a budget-friendly device that gives you a pure Android experience, coupled with Google’s AI features. It sports a 6.1-inch screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, a Google Tensor G2, and a comparable triple camera system.
You get Google’s software magic, but it has less RAM and storage at a much lower price than the Galaxy S23 FE.
The OnePlus 11 is a flagship phone with powerful performance and a stunning display. Its 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED is a slight step up compared to the Galaxy S23 FE. It’s equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which makes it slightly snappier.
It’s on the more expensive side, but it does give you a more premium experience.
Xiaomi 13T Dual-SIM 256GB ROM + 8GB RAM
The Xiaomi 13T is a comparable mid-level phone to the Galaxy S23 FE. It features a high-end design with an impressive camera system close to flagship phones. These two are similar in specs and performance, but the Xiaomi is significantly more affordable.
The Galaxy S23 FE does have an advantage with software with One UI 5.1 and is readily upgradable to One UI 6.0 compared to Xiaomi’s MIUI.
Summing It Up
If you’re looking for a mid-range phone that offers much value for money, don’t look further than the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. It’s a toned-down flagship, but you can still get that premium experience in select features, such as the Exynos chipset and a capable camera system.
There are also a few compromises, like the plastic back and the lack of eSIM supportwhich you only find on the higher-priced and higher-end S23 phones. That doesn’t take away anything from the Galaxy S23 FE which is a solid, affordable alternative in the Galaxy S23 line that delivers on most fronts.
Jian Bacallan
Technology Content Crafter. Helping you unbox the latest in tech trends, especially with laptops and mobile devices. A PC gaming enthusiast who loves to cook and is currently obsessed with sim games and pizza dough.
