Faced with the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus, should we wait for the Galaxy S23 FE?

The recent official release of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE sparks many comparisons with its counterparts, the Galaxy S23 and the S23 Plus. With striking similarities in design and some more or less subtle technical differences, and pending the release of the S23 FE, it’s worth breaking down the elements that set these three models apart before making an informed purchasing decision.

The Galaxy S23 FE has been made official. And even if we have not yet had any real confirmation of its arrival in France, everything suggests that it will arrive at the beginning of 2024. The question then arises: should you wait for it? We compared this S23 FE to its two counterparts, the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus.

It is important to note that the acronym “FE” stands for “Fan Edition”, a range designed to offer premium devices while being slightly more financially accessible than the South Korean firm’s other high-end models. This is achieved by making some deliberate compromises on features and functionality.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, S23 and S23 Plus: comparison of technical sheets

Model	Samsung Galaxy S23 FE	Samsung Galaxy S23	Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
Dimensions	7.65cm x 15.8cm x 8.2mm	7.09cm x 14.63cm x 7.6mm	7.62cm x 15.78cm x 7.6mm
Manufacturer interface	One UI	One UI	One UI
Screen size	6.4 inches	6.1 inches	6.6 inches
Definition	2340 x 1080 pixels	2340 x 1080 pixels	2340 x 1080 pixels
Pixel density	403 dpi	425 dpi	393 dpi
Technology	AMOLED	AMOLED	AMOLED
SoC	Samsung Exynos 2200	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Graphics chip	Xclipse 920	Qualcomm Adreno 740	Qualcomm Adreno 740
Internal storage	N/C	128 GB, 256 GB	256 GB, 0 GB
Camera (back)	Sensor 1: 50 Mp Sensor 2: 12 Mp Sensor 3: 8 Mp	Sensor 1: 50 Mp Sensor 2: 12 Mp Sensor 3: 10 Mp	Sensor 1: 50 Mp Sensor 2: 12 Mp Sensor 3: 10 Mp
Front photo sensor	10 MP	12 MP	12 MP
Definition of video recording	8K @24 fps	8K	8K
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3	5.3
5G	Yes	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fingerprint sensor	Under the screen	Under the screen	Under the screen
Connector type	USB Type-C	USB Type-C	USB Type-C
Battery capacity	4500mAh	3900mAh	4700mAh
Weight	209g	167g	195g
Colors	Black, White, Green, Purple	Black, Green, Pink, Beige	Black, Green, Pink, Beige
Repairability index?	N/C	8.2/10	8.2/10
Price	N/C	€799	€1,059
	Product sheet	Product sheet See the test	Product sheet See the test

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, S23 and S23 Plus: design

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, while part of the S23 lineup, has subtle design distinctions from the S23 and S23 Plus models. All three devices share an unmistakable family aesthetic, with the S23 FE being visually closer to the S23 Plus. In reality, the aesthetics of the S23 FE are characterized by slightly more rounded corners and a triple photo block where each camera is clearly distinct and isolated from the others.

Surprising by its dimensions, the S23 FE is longer, wider, thicker and heavier, weighing 209 grams compared to 168 and 196 grams for the S23 and S23 Plus respectively.

All three are IP68 certified, guaranteeing their resistance to water and dust. However, the S23 FE opts for a screen protected by Gorilla Glass 5, while the other two models benefit from Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is notably more robust.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, S23 and S23 Plus: screen and performance

The Galaxy S23 FE has a 6.4-inch FullHD+ AMOLED display, slightly smaller than the S23 Plus (6.6-inch) and offering a 120Hz refresh rate. However, it stands out with maximum brightness lower, reaching only 1450 nits compared to 1750 nits on other models, and the absence of Always-on function. Note also that the screen borders are thicker on the S23 FE, which explains the differences in dimensions.

Although the S23 FE also runs Android 13 with OneUI 5.1, it offers lower performance due to its processor options: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the US and Exynos 2200 in Europe. Compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that equips the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus, the S23 FE will display slightly reduced performance. But our main fear comes from the Exynos chip… The performance of the Exynos 2200 integrated into the Galaxy S22 did not live up to expectations in terms of autonomy, power and thermal management.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, S23 and S23 Plus: photo and connectivity

In terms of photography, the S23 FE seems slightly behind. Although its main sensor is comparable, the telephoto sensor is different (8 megapixels versus 10), with an optic of 75 mm versus 70 mm for the S23, although both offer an equivalent x3 zoom. The S23 FE also has a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, but its selfie sensor is less defined, with 10-megapixel f/2.4 versus 12-megapixel f/2.2 on the S23.

As for connectivity, the S23 FE supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, similar to other S23 models. However, it should be noted that the S23 FE is dual-band only, while other S23 models are tri-band, allowing the latter to support three separate Wi-Fi frequency bands simultaneously, allowing for better performance depending on network environments.

Should we wait for the Galaxy S23 FE?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, despite some compromises in performance, photography and screen features, presents itself as a more affordable alternative to the S23 range. However, its value proposition will strongly depend on its price positioning on the French market, especially considering the expected price reductions on the S23 and S23 Plus models at the end of the year.

With a delayed release of the Galaxy S23 FE in Europe, it’s unclear how this model could make a significant way into the market. Its breakthrough will probably depend on a particularly attractive pricing positioning. Let’s also remember that, probably, it will shortly precede the release of the Galaxy S24.

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