Galaxy S23 FE Review: A great value device for students and the younger generation

The Galaxy S23 FE is a smartphone made by Samsung and released by au on February 9, 2024.

The S series is the flagship model among Galaxy phones , but it is characterized by its low price targeting the younger generation.

This model has high camera and CPU performance and excellent cost performance, making it a model that can be recommended to a wide range of users .

In this article, we will use the actual Galaxy S23 FE to evaluate and review its specs and features, and introduce reasons why you should or shouldn’t buy it.

 

Galaxy S23 FE review
Overall rating: 4.3 points
Camera performance	4.0
Processing Performance	4.0
Screen performance	4.0
Battery performance	4.0
Cost performance	5.0

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Galaxy S23 FE reviews and reputation

First, let’s take a look at the reviews from people who actually use the Galaxy S23 FE.

We have compiled reviews of the Galaxy S23 FE, taking X (formerly Twitter) as a reference.

Galaxy S23 FE: Good reviews and reputation

Although the chipset is one generation older than the Galaxy S23, it seems to be attracting attention for its large memory and storage capacity and excellent cost performance .

The Galaxy S23 FE is a great value for money… I think the Nothing Phone (2) is also good value for money if it has the 8Gen1. I wonder what that XPERIA thing is…

Another attractive feature of the Galaxy S23 FE is its camera performance, which is comparable to not only other models such as the iPhone, but also higher-end Galaxy models.

Its performance will satisfy not only those who want to use it daily, but also those who want to enjoy a wide range of activities, including photography, watching videos, and playing games.

This is the Galaxy S23 FE. I’ve
been posting about the new model since this post.
It’s a little harder to handle because of the increased size and weight, but the camera is

Galaxy S23 FE negative reviews and reputation

Compared to the Galaxy S23, the Galaxy S23 FE is a heavier smartphone with a larger display size of 6.4 inches.

This point seems to be a concern for those who are looking for the compactness of the Galaxy S23, which has a display size of approximately 6.1 inches and weighs approximately 168g.

The Galaxy S23 FE is a bit heavy. Even though the battery capacity is 4500mAh, it needs to be 10 to 20g lighter.

Additionally, the fact that it is only sold by au and that it does not support microSD have also been cited as negative reviews and reputations.

I wanted the Galaxy S23 FE to have at least a MicroSD card or a 512GB model.

Galaxy S23 FE release date and reservation start date

Pre-orders for the Galaxy S23 FE began on February 1, 2024, and sales began on February 9, 2024.

It is only available from au , and models from other carriers or SIM-free devices are not sold.

Galaxy S23 FE price review

The capacity is simple, at only 256GB. If you have a lot of photos and videos to store, we recommend using a cloud service.

[Hands-on review] Check out the appearance of the Galaxy S23 FE

 

We checked the appearance using an actual Galaxy S23 FE device.

We will also introduce the packaging and accessories of the Galaxy S23 FE.

Appearance and design of the Galaxy S23 FE

The Galaxy S23 FE uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back, making it a smartphone that gives a solid impression when held in the hand .

For this review, we used the “mint” color, which gives a casual impression and makes the smartphone easy to use for people of all ages.

The camera part protrudes more than I expected, so I worry that it will tilt slightly when placed on a table or other surface.

The power button and volume buttons are located on the right side, while the left side is blank.

The top houses the SIM card tray and a mouthpiece/microphone, while the bottom houses the same mouthpiece/microphone, USB Type-C connector, and speaker.

Since the Galaxy S23 FE does not support microSD , the SIM card tray can only accommodate one nanoSIM card.

DSDV (call standby with two SIMs) can be used by using a nanoSIM and an eSIM together.

Galaxy S23 FE packaging and accessories

 

The Galaxy S23 FE comes with a USB cable (sample) and can charge up to 3A.

However , since functions such as fast charging cannot be used with the USB cable (sample product) , we recommend purchasing an au-specified Type-C Common AC Adapter 02 or similar.

Galaxy S23 FE specs review

We will review the specs of the Galaxy S23 FE. The main specs are summarized in the table below.

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Galaxy S23 FE specs
release date	February 9, 2024
Screen size	6.4 inches
Product size	Width: 76mm Height: 158mm Thickness: 8.2mm
Weight	209g

Let’s take a closer look at the following specs:

display

The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED (organic light-emitting diode) display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 (FHD+).

The refresh rate is 60 to 120Hz, so you can enjoy smooth video viewing as well as everyday use. In addition, outdoor visibility is also good.

People have mixed opinions about the thick bezels and punch-hole design of the in-camera, but there are also features available to hide the camera area.

Size and weight

 

The catalog weight of the Galaxy S23 FE is approximately 209g.

The display size is also large, so even the average man would find it difficult to operate it with one hand for long periods of time.

The Galaxy S23 FE also has convenient features such as “one-handed mode” that reduces the display size, so we recommend making good use of it.

color

The Galaxy S23 FE comes in the following colors:

With pale mint, simple cream, and chic graphite, it’s easy to choose a color that suits your taste, regardless of age.

Memory, storage, and CPU

 

The Galaxy S23 FE has 8GB of built-in memory, which is plenty for comfortable operation.

 

The storage capacity is only 256GB and there is no support for microSD cards, so if you need more storage space, you’ll need to use cloud storage.

The CPU is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which was also installed in the Xperia 1 IV released in 2022 .

Some reviews say that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 generates heat, but I didn’t notice any major issues during everyday use or gaming in this review.

battery

 

The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery.

This time, I tried playing YouTube at about one-third maximum brightness and volume, and it seemed to reduce by about 9 to 10% per hour .

Due to the large size and high performance of the display, the battery tends to run out quickly.

 

However, you can improve battery life by adjusting the refresh rate and using power saving mode.

Galaxy S23 FE features review

We will review the features of the Galaxy S23 FE.

Show all

Galaxy S23 FE specs
release date	February 9, 2024
Screen size	6.4 inches
Product size	Width: 76mm Height: 158mm Thickness: 8.2mm
Weight	209g

Let’s take a closer look at the following features:

camera

The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a triple camera with ultra-wide angle, wide angle, and telephoto.

• Ultra-wide angle: approx. 12 million pixels
• Wide angle: Approximately 50 million pixels
• Telephoto: Approximately 8 million pixels

Although the image quality of each camera is different, they are said to be able to capture clear selfies and portraits with realistic colors even in dimly lit environments.

You can also take clear photos at night by using the night mode. Let’s take a look at the actual images taken during the day and at night.

Daytime images

Like other Galaxy models, in standard mode (pictured), you can smoothly switch between wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and telephoto.

The wide-angle lens in particular has a high pixel count, allowing for bright, clear shots in any situation, including of buildings, nature, and close-ups .

Without changing my position from the photo above, I tried taking photos with an ultra-wide angle and a telephoto lens (2x). First, the ultra-wide angle.

Next, I took a photo using a telephoto lens (2x).

Compared to the wide-angle, the ultra-wide-angle and telephoto lenses have slightly different colors, but the resolution is sufficient and the image looks beautiful when viewed on a PC screen.

Wide-angle shots are usually saved at about 12 megapixels, but if you want 50 megapixels, you can use the separate 50MP mode.

The file size will be more than double, so be careful about the capacity if you use the 50MP mode frequently.

Next, I switched the shooting mode to portrait mode.

This is an example of close-up mode.

While you’ll usually use a wide-angle lens as the base, you can also use ultra-wide-angle and telephoto lenses depending on the situation to capture the best takes at a variety of angles.

Although the telephoto lens has a low pixel count, it supports up to 30x digital zoom (3x optical), which is surprisingly useful.

Below, we tried switching the zoom range and taking pictures up to 30x zoom. First, we took a picture at 1x magnification.

Next is 2x zoom.

Switched to 3x.

Let’s zoom in to 10x.

When you zoom in up to 20x, the roughness becomes obvious.

Finally, there is the 30x zoom.

Nighttime images

 

The Galaxy S23 FE uses AI to optimize the scene, so night mode is automatically applied in dark situations.

In places with a certain amount of light, such as in town, you can take relatively clear photos even in standard mode (photo) .

Below, I tried switching the angle of view while keeping the camera in standard mode. First, the wide angle.

Next, I took a super wide-angle shot.

Finally, here is an example of 2x zoom.

In addition, by using the separately available night mode, you can take bright photos even in dimly lit places.

Below is an example of a photo taken with “Scene-specific optimization” turned on instead of night mode.

Next I switched to night mode.

It can take very bright pictures, so it is recommended to use it in places where there are no street lights.

However, be aware that in night mode there is a slight lag before the shutter is released .

I tried taking pictures of flowers by changing the angle of view and mode. First, here is an example taken with a wide angle lens.

Then I switched to ultra-wide angle.

Finally, there is the night mode close-up.

Even in places with a light source, flare and ghosting are unlikely to occur, and I felt that the camera’s performance was also strong for night scenes.

Biometric authentication, waterproof/dustproof

 

The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor.

It also supports facial recognition, so you can use it in different ways, and registration and unlocking were all smooth and easy.

Additionally, the aluminum side frame and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back make it highly durable .

It also meets the IP68 standard for waterproof and dustproof performance, so you can use it for a long time with peace of mind.

Unique Features

 

Like other Galaxy phones, the Galaxy S23 FE has a variety of unique features.

You can use features such as “multi-window” which displays multiple apps side by side on the screen, “edge panel” which arranges frequently used apps, and one-handed mode which reduces the size of the screen.

 

One of the Galaxy S23 FE’s attractions is the wide range of customization options , including the ability to hide the punch-hole camera, making it easy to use .

Gaming Performance/Speakers

 

To test the performance of the Galaxy S23 FE, we tried playing the smartphone game “Genshin Impact.”

The default image quality was medium, and the frame rate was 30 fps. There were no stutters during map movement or movies, and the game was easy to play.

When playing for a long time, the back of the device can get a little hot, but it seems to work fine with the default settings .

In addition, the speakers were clear and the sound spread well. Although there is no earphone jack, you should be satisfied with playing games and watching videos with the speakers.

Main differences between the Galaxy S23 FE and the Galaxy S23

 

The Galaxy S23 FE has a larger display size and is heavier than the Galaxy S23. If you want a compact smartphone, the Galaxy S23 is recommended.

On the other hand, the battery capacity has been increased and Gorilla Glass 5 is used, which makes it more durable.

Main differences between the Galaxy S23 and FE	Galaxy S23 FE	Galaxy S23
release date	February 9, 2024	April 20, 2023
Screen size	6.4 inches	6.1 inches
Product size	Width: 76mm Height: 158mm Thickness: 8.2mm	Width: 71mm Height: 146mm Thickness: 7.6mm
Weight	209g	168g
Rear camera	Ultra-wide: 12MP, Wide: 50MP, Telephoto: 8MP	Ultra-wide: 12MP Wide: 50MP Telephoto : 10MP
Front camera	10 megapixels	12MP
battery	4,500mAh	3,900mAh
RAM	8GB
ROM	256GB
CPU	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy
Biometric authentication	Fingerprint authentication (in-display) and face authentication
Waterproof and dustproof	IPX5/IPX8/IP6X
color	Mint Cream Graphite	Cream, Phantom Black , Lavender

It is cheaper than the Galaxy S23, so it can be said to have excellent cost performance .

Galaxy S23 FE Review: Should You Buy It?

 

Based on the evaluation reviews so far, we will introduce whether you should buy the Galaxy S23 FE or not.

Reasons to buy the Galaxy S23 FE

The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with an older generation CPU than the Galaxy S23, but it still has high performance that allows you to play 3D games comfortably.

Although it is inferior to high-spec smartphones equipped with the latest CPUs, you can enjoy a wide range of uses from everyday use to gaming .

In addition, the 6.4-inch display with a maximum speed of 120Hz has excellent visibility, and the camera performance is also worth more than its price.

The use of Gorilla Glass 5 makes this smartphone highly durable, allowing you to use it for a long time with peace of mind.

Reasons not to buy the Galaxy S23 FE

The Galaxy S23 FE is large and heavy enough that it can be difficult to operate with one hand.

Both sides have a flat design, so it doesn’t fit perfectly, and some users may find it difficult to use.

Also, since it does not support SD cards or have an earphone jack, there may be times when you need to use cloud services or wireless earphones.

This is a smartphone with excellent cost performance, but it may or may not be suitable for some uses , so it is a good idea to compare it with how you use it before purchasing.

The Galaxy S23 FE is a smartphone with excellent cost performance

 

In this article, we review the Galaxy S23 FE and introduce reasons why you should or shouldn’t buy it.

Show all

Galaxy S23 FE specs
release date	February 9, 2024
Screen size	6.4 inches
Product size	Width: 76mm Height: 158mm Thickness: 8.2mm
Weight	209g

The Galaxy S23 FE is a smartphone with flagship model-level performance, including a CPU, high-resolution display, and triple camera.

It offers excellent cost performance, so we recommend it to those who want a smartphone that is comparable to a flagship model at a low price .

There are some disadvantages, such as its large size and heavy body, so be sure to compare it with other smartphones before purchasing.