Galaxy S23 FE Vs iPhone 17 Pro

Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:226.00

Versus €708.98 new

See options
iPhone 17 Pro
iPhone 17 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:1,064.00

Versus €1,339.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, released in October 2023, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, expected in late 2025, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy S23 FE offers a blend of flagship features at a more accessible point within the Android ecosystem, the iPhone 17 Pro is anticipated to be a premium device showcasing Apple's latest innovations in its iOS environment. This comparison will explore their core differences across various aspects, helping users understand which device might better suit their needs.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like software support, build quality, and repairability are key. The Galaxy S23 FE and the anticipated iPhone 17 Pro offer different profiles in these areas.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S23 FE launched in October 2023, making it a current-generation Android device. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to be released in September 2025, positioning it as a future flagship with the latest advancements.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S23 FE is promised four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support until at least Android 17 and security patches until 2028. Apple's Pro models typically receive major iOS updates for an extended period, often exceeding five years, suggesting the iPhone 17 Pro will have a very long software lifespan.
  • Build Materials: The Galaxy S23 FE features Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back, encased in an aluminum frame, providing a reassuring level of durability and IP68 dust and water resistance. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to continue Apple's use of premium materials like a titanium frame and Ceramic Shield 2 for the front display, with Ceramic Shield also protecting the back, contributing to enhanced scratch resistance and overall robustness. Both devices are rated IP68 for water and dust resistance.

Year of Release

2023

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone dictates its responsiveness and capability to handle various tasks, from everyday browsing to demanding applications and gaming. Both devices are designed to offer smooth user experiences, though they achieve this through different hardware philosophies.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a powerful processor (either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 depending on region), which was a top-tier chip in 2022. This allows it to handle demanding apps and multitasking smoothly. The iPhone 17 Pro is anticipated to feature Apple's next-generation A19 Pro chip, designed for significant performance improvements, advanced graphics rendering, and enhanced on-device artificial intelligence processing, building on Apple's history of powerful mobile silicon.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S23 FE comes with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB, which is ample for most users' applications and media. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to offer multiple high-capacity storage options, potentially starting from 256GB, and is rumored to feature 12GB of RAM, supporting intensive multitasking and professional applications.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 FE houses a 4500 mAh battery, providing sufficient power for a full day of moderate use, with some users reporting around 10 hours of video streaming. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to feature optimized battery life, potentially the longest in an iPhone to date, through a combination of a larger battery capacity and highly efficient hardware and software integration.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality visual experiences, though with differing characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 FE features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to come with an advanced ProMotion OLED display, likely in 6.3-inch or 6.9-inch sizes, offering high resolution, exceptional color accuracy, and an adaptive refresh rate.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: The Galaxy S23 FE's display can reach a peak brightness of 1450 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, and features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The iPhone 17 Pro's ProMotion display is anticipated to offer very high peak brightness levels, significantly enhancing outdoor readability, and an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz for fluid visuals and power efficiency.
  • Viewing Experience: Both devices provide immersive viewing experiences for media consumption and daily tasks. The Galaxy S23 FE's display is noted for its clarity and vibrant output, while the iPhone 17 Pro's expected display advancements aim for even greater visual fidelity and responsiveness, particularly for dynamic content.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

2622x1206

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many smartphone users, and both the Galaxy S23 FE and the anticipated iPhone 17 Pro offer advanced photographic and videographic tools.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 FE features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to boast a professional-grade 48-megapixel triple-lens camera system, with significant advancements in low-light performance, and a new telephoto lens offering up to 8x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 FE is known for producing detailed images with good color reproduction, though some users note a tendency for slight oversaturation. It also includes features for improved low-light photography. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to excel in computational photography, delivering highly detailed and color-accurate images across various lighting conditions, with particular emphasis on low-light and dynamic range.
  • Video Recording and Audio: The Galaxy S23 FE supports video recording up to 8K at 24 frames per second and 4K at 60 frames per second, with effective optical image stabilization. The iPhone 17 Pro is anticipated to offer enhanced video recording capabilities, including professional codecs like ProRes, improved cinematic modes, and potentially 8K video recording, alongside high-quality microphone performance for clear audio capture.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

18 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and differentiate these two devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S23 FE supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. It features a USB-C 3.2 port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to incorporate the latest wireless standards, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, along with high-speed 5G connectivity. It will also feature a USB-C port, likely with Thunderbolt/USB4 speeds for rapid data transfer.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S23 FE includes an optical in-screen fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking and authentication. The iPhone 17 Pro will continue to rely on Apple's advanced Face ID system for secure facial recognition.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S23 FE weighs 209 grams and has dimensions of 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm, offering a comfortable grip with its slightly rounded aluminum frame. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to maintain a premium feel with its titanium frame and refined design, with dimensions around 150.0 × 71.9 × 8.75 mm and a weight of approximately 206 grams, providing a balanced and manageable form factor.

Weight

209 g

206 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

6.3

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the anticipated Apple iPhone 17 Pro cater to different user expectations and priorities. The Galaxy S23 FE, a device released in late 2023, is praised for its solid performance, good camera system, and vibrant display, offering a well-rounded Android experience. Users often appreciate its balance of features for everyday use and its robust build quality. Some common feedback points to its processor being a generation older than other contemporary flagships and its battery life, while adequate, not being class-leading for heavy users.

The iPhone 17 Pro, as a future flagship expected in late 2025, is anticipated to push boundaries in performance, camera technology, and display quality. Users who prioritize cutting-edge innovation, a highly integrated software ecosystem, and extended software support will likely find the iPhone 17 Pro appealing. Its expected advancements in computational photography, video capabilities, and overall system efficiency are key highlights. Potential considerations for future iPhone Pro models often revolve around their premium positioning and the specific design choices Apple makes for its latest generation.

Users prioritizing a mature Android ecosystem with a strong feature set and reliable performance for daily tasks may find the Galaxy S23 FE well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users seeking the absolute latest in mobile technology, a deeply integrated iOS experience, and professional-grade camera and performance capabilities will likely lean towards the iPhone 17 Pro. Both devices, whether new or as quality-assured refurbished options, offer compelling choices for different user profiles, enabling informed and sustainable purchasing decisions.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons