Galaxy S23 Vs Galaxy S23 FE

Galaxy S23
Galaxy S23
Starting at

Refurbished price:249.00

Versus €959.00 new

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Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:226.00

Versus €708.98 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 (released in February 2023) and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (Fan Edition, released in October 2023) are both Android-based smartphones from Samsung's Galaxy S series. While sharing the same operating system and a similar design philosophy, the S23 offers a more compact form factor and a more advanced internal processor, whereas the S23 FE presents a larger display and a slightly different build, catering to distinct user preferences.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, both the Galaxy S23 and S23 FE offer substantial software support, ensuring a prolonged functional lifespan.

  • Software Updates: Both models are committed to receiving four major Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from their respective launch dates. This means both devices are expected to receive updates up to Android 17, with security patches extending until 2028.
  • Build Materials: The Galaxy S23 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its display and back, paired with a premium aluminum frame, offering enhanced durability. The Galaxy S23 FE utilizes Gorilla Glass 5 for both its front and back, which provides good shatter resistance, alongside an aluminum frame.
  • Practical Lifespan: Given their robust software support and durable construction, both phones are designed for extended use. The S23's newer generation protective glass may offer a slight edge in resisting scratches and drops over time.

Year of Release

2023

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating applications to engaging in demanding activities like gaming.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 is equipped with a more advanced and power-efficient processor, which translates to smoother operation, faster app loading, and more consistent performance during intensive tasks and gaming. The Galaxy S23 FE uses a previous-generation processor, which still handles everyday applications and multitasking effectively, but may show a noticeable difference in sustained performance during heavy use or graphically demanding games.
  • Battery Behavior: Despite the Galaxy S23 FE having a larger battery capacity (4500mAh) compared to the Galaxy S23 (3900mAh), the S23 often demonstrates comparable or even better real-world battery longevity due to its more efficient processor and smaller display. Both devices support 25W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging.
  • Storage and Responsiveness: Both models offer 8GB of RAM, ensuring capable multitasking. The Galaxy S23 offers storage options up to 512GB, with 256GB and 512GB variants utilizing faster UFS 4.0 storage, while the 128GB model uses UFS 3.1. The Galaxy S23 FE is available with 128GB or 256GB storage, with the 128GB variant using UFS 3.1.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences with some key distinctions.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S23 and S23 FE feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, providing deep blacks and vibrant colors. Both have a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, ensuring clear visuals for everyday content.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 offers a higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, which can be beneficial for visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The S23 FE has a peak brightness of 1450 nits, which is still bright enough for most outdoor scenarios. Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations.
  • Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S23 has a more compact 6.1-inch display, making it easier for one-handed use. The Galaxy S23 FE offers a larger 6.4-inch display, which can enhance the viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. The S23 has slightly thinner bezels compared to the S23 FE.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with versatile camera systems designed to capture a variety of moments, though with some differences in their capabilities.

  • Rear Camera System: Both devices feature a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The Galaxy S23 includes a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, while the S23 FE has an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, also with 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 generally offers an edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions and with its telephoto zoom, capturing more detail. The S23 FE's camera system is still capable of producing good photos, especially in well-lit environments, and users often find its output satisfactory.
  • Video and Front Camera: The Galaxy S23 can record video at up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second, while the S23 FE maxes out at 8K resolution at 24 frames per second. For selfies, the S23 has a 12-megapixel front camera, while the S23 FE features a 10-megapixel front camera.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and daily convenience of these devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S23 and S23 FE support modern connectivity standards, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometrics and Sensors: Both phones incorporate an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, along with face recognition capabilities. They also include a standard array of sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and compasses for various functionalities.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S23 is more compact and lighter, weighing 168 grams with dimensions of 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm, making it easier to handle for users preferring smaller phones. The Galaxy S23 FE is larger and heavier at 209 grams, with dimensions of 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm, offering a more substantial feel in hand. The S23 has a polished metal frame, while the S23 FE features a matte finish.

Weight

167 g

209 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

6.4

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 FE both offer compelling smartphone experiences, each with strengths that appeal to different users. User feedback often praises the Galaxy S23 for its compact size, robust performance, and consistent camera quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Some users appreciate its premium feel and efficient battery management, despite a smaller battery capacity. Criticisms are less frequent but sometimes point to its smaller screen size for media consumption.

The Galaxy S23 FE is frequently lauded for its vibrant display and capable camera system, which delivers strong results in most scenarios. Users also note its larger screen as a benefit for viewing content. However, some users have expressed concerns regarding its processor's performance during prolonged heavy use, with occasional reports of heating, especially in regions receiving the Exynos variant. Battery life, despite the larger capacity, can also be a point of discussion, as it doesn't always translate to longer usage compared to the more efficient S23.

Users prioritizing a compact, lightweight device with top-tier performance and superior camera capabilities, especially for low-light photography and zoom, may find the Galaxy S23 better suited to their needs. Conversely, users who prefer a larger display for media and general browsing, and who engage in less graphically intensive tasks, might lean towards the Galaxy S23 FE. Both devices represent solid choices within the Android ecosystem, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative for making an informed decision.

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