2023 marks the return of the popular Galaxy FE series with the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. We go through what to expect with Samsung’s affordable 'flagship lite' model.
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Features and specs
- Dimensions: 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm
- Weight: 209g
- 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with 1080 x 2340p resolution
- Triple rear camera: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto
- 10MP front camera
- Exynos 2200 chip
- 8GB of RAM
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB
- 4,500mAh battery capacity
- Ships with Android 13 and One UI 5.1
The end of 2023 marks the return of the popular ‘fan favourite’ phone from Samsung. With the last FE handset being 2022’s Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, Samsung has decided to skip straight to the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
As with the ethos of the FE line, the Galaxy S23 FE packs plenty of flagship features – all at a more palatable price tag.
Availability and price
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE went on sale in the UK on 8th December 2023.
Prices at launch started from £599 – that’s £250 cheaper than the standard Samsung Galaxy S23.
How good is the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE’s design and display?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes some design cues from its flagship S23 and S23 Plus, such as the floating lens camera design on the back. However, it features a matte aluminium frame (rather than a glossy one) and is silver – which, when paired with one of the more out-there colours, makes for a rather striking look.
And like Samsung’s top flagships, the Galaxy S23 FE is IP68-rated, meaning it has the highest possible resistance against water and dust.
Compared to the Galaxy S21 FE, it’s noticeably heftier than its predecessor despite being fairly similar in dimensions – in fact, it’s a substantial 32 grams heavier.
Screen-wise, though, the Galaxy S23 FE features the same display as the Galaxy S21 FE, measuring 6.4 inches with 1080 x 2340p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling. It’s bigger than the standard Galaxy S23 but smaller than the S23 Plus – meaning it’s a great option if you’re looking for a larger phone that can still be used with one hand.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE comes in five colours: Cream, Graphite, Mint, Indigo and Purple.
How good is the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE’s camera?
The Galaxy S23 FE features a triple rear camera system, consisting of a 50MP main lens, 12MP ultra-wide, and 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. It’s largely the same as that on the Galaxy S21 FE, but the main snapper has been replaced with the new higher resolution 50MP sensor.
It also features a 10MP front camera – the same as the Galaxy S22 series.
Photos taken with the main camera are great, showcasing plenty of detail, high contrast and excellent dynamic range. As is typical with a Samsung handset, colours are vibrant and vividly saturated. Sure, snaps may border a teeny bit on the unrealistic side, but there’s no denying that they’re instantly ready to share on social media.
The front camera packs a punch, too, with selfie shots showing a commendable level of detail, contrast and more realistic colours.
Advanced photography features include Nightography Mode and Pro Mode, but Expert RAW Mode is not available (unlike the main Galaxy lines).
Is the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE good for video?
All four of its cameras can record video at up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. What’s more, the main camera can shoot in 4K60 and a whopping 8K24 – with the latter producing pleasing videos when viewed on 4K televisions.
The 4K footage shot on the main camera is impressive, with good exposure, nicely saturated colours and minimal noise. Even if you have shaky hands, the electronic stabilisation does a great job of smoothing your handheld shots. However, it’s worth noting that night-time videos can show a fair bit of noise.
The Galaxy S23 FE also supports optional HDR10+ video capture, and high bitrate shooting in Pro Mode.
What are the key differences between the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE?
Though the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE doesn’t differ massively from its predecessor, the Galaxy S21 FE, there are a few improvements to note:
- Next-gen chipset – The Galaxy S23 FE uses the same Exynos 2200 chipset that powers the Galaxy S22 series. It’s higher spec and higher tech than the Galaxy S21 FE’s Snapdragon 888 chip
- Higher-res main camera – The new 50MP main snapper results in better quality, more detailed photos
- Different build material – Both the front and the back of the Galaxy S23 FE is made of glass, whereas the Galaxy S21 FE comes with a plastic back
How does the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to flagship handsets in the UK?
Although the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE follows the main Galaxy S23 in name, it’s more comparable with Samsung’s 2022 flagship: the Galaxy S22. And given that Samsung didn’t release a Galaxy S22 FE counterpart, it makes sense to view the Galaxy S23 FE as the mid-range alternative to the S22.
It shares the same chipset as the S22, though its size and camera more closely follows that of the S21 FE.
Looking at Android alternatives on the market, the top competitor also released in 2023 would be the Google Pixel 7a. It packs Google’s Powerful Tensor G2 chip, which powers many clever AI features. However, its longevity falls short of the Galaxy S23 FE, as it’s only set to get a mere three years of software updates.
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Our rating: 3.5/5
Usually, the Galaxy FE series is a fan favourite thanks to its attractive selling point of offering flagship features at a much lower price. Indeed, it’s called the ‘Fan Edition’ for that very reason.
And truthfully, the Galaxy Samsung S23 FE has a good amount going for it. With its attractive screen, commendable main camera and all-round reliable performance, it’s a worthwhile choice for those who want the trappings of a high-end phone without splashing the cash.
However, looking at the bigger picture, the S23 FE occupies a bit of an awkward spot. Its off-cycle launch timing, coupled with incremental improvements on its predecessor (despite being released almost two years later), leaves us scratching our heads over why Samsung chose to release it this way.
It sits between the flagship Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S23, and it feels closer to the older S22 than the newer S23. From the chipset to the slightly weaker battery life, the Galaxy S23 FE doesn’t really improve on the weaknesses of the S22. And with the S22 dropping in price following the S23’s release, you may be better off plumping for the S22 instead.
Contract options
Looking to spread the cost of a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE with a pay-monthly contract? We have loads of options here at MoneySuperMarket – just use our tool at the top of the page to compare deals.
Can I get the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE with no upfront cost?
Potentially, yes. While you usually need to pay an upfront cost for flagship phone contract, some networks do have no upfront cost phone deals.
Deals with no upfront cost can change quite frequently. So, you should shop around and compare deals to find the best one with nothing to pay upfront.
Just set the slider in the filters above to only show deals with no upfront costs.
Can I get the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE with unlimited data?
Absolutely – plenty of networks offer the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE with unlimited data.
You can find an unlimited data deal on the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE with our comparison table at the top of the page. Just move the slider above to unlimited (or very high) data to see the options available.
What's the cheapest way to get the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE?
In general, the cheapest way of getting any phone is to buy it outright and off-contract, then get a SIM-only deal with a monthly allowance of data, minutes and texts.
However, buying a phone outright is a lot of cash to splash in one go. If you’d prefer to spread the cost over the course of several months, it’s worth considering a pay-monthly phone contract instead.
Use our comparison table at the top of this page to find and compare pay-monthly Samsung Galaxy S23 FE deals.
Can I get the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE with poor credit?
Possibly, though it might be difficult. Networks typically run credit checks before accepting you for a mobile contract.
If you’re rejected for a contract, our bad credit phones guide can help.
Is now a good time to buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE?
If you’re hanging on to an old phone and desperately want to upgrade, now is a great time to buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
It’s set to get at least four years of software upgrades and five years of security updates from launch, so there’s a decent amount of longevity with this device.
Will the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE drop in price?
Phones usually drop in price when newer models are released. In the case of the Samsung FE line, though, the release cycle hasn’t run like clockwork compared with flagship handset launches.
To illustrate, Samsung released the Galaxy S21 FE in January 2022, only to skip the Galaxy S22 FE and go straight to the Galaxy S23 FE at the end of 2023. So, while the S23 FE will drop in price once a newer model goes on sale, it’s difficult to say exactly when this will be.
You might also find special offers during certain times of the year, such as Black Friday.
Galaxy S23 FE 5G specs
Manufacturer | Samsung |
---|---|
Operating System | Android |
Sim Card Type | Nano |
Accelerometer | No |
---|---|
Proximity | No |
Compass | No |
Barometer | No |
Gyroscope | No |
GPS | No |
Form Factor | Candy Bar |
---|---|
Thickness | 8.2 mm |
Size | 76.5mm x 8.2mm x 158mm |
Weight | 209 g |
Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
---|---|
Capacity | 4500 mah |
Standby | hours |
Talktime | hours |
Display Size | 6.4 inches |
---|---|
Screen Type | AMOLED |
Resolution | 1080 x 2340 inches |
Pixels Per Inch | 403 ppi |
Touch Screen Type |
CPU | 0 mhz |
---|---|
Processor Cores | Octa Core Cores |
Memory | 8000 MB |
Internal Storage | 128, 256 |
---|---|
External Storage | No |
Primary Camera | 50 MP |
---|---|
Flash | No |
LED Flash | |
GEO Tagging | No |
Auto Focus | No |
Fixed Focus | No |
Touch Focus | |
Face Detection | No |
Smile Detection | |
Image Stabilisation | No |
Video Quality | |
2nd Camera | MP |
Generation | 5G |
---|---|
Frequency | |
NFC | No |
Wi-Fi | No |
Wi-Fi Hotspot | No |
Wi-Fi Direct | No |
Bluetooth | No |
USB | No |
Loudspeaker | Yes |
---|