Samsung has made waves once again in the smartphone world with the launch of the Galaxy S23 FE, marking the much-anticipated return of the popular “Fan’s Edition” line after a hiatus of nearly two years. This new addition to the Galaxy family stays true to its heritage of offering exceptional value for money, boasting premium Qualcomm and Samsung processors, ample memory, a high-resolution display, and a robust camera system powered by Samsung’s software expertise.
International Chip Dilemma
However, the return of the FE series brings with it news that might not sit well with a significant portion of users. The device hits the international market with the Exynos 2200 processor, the same chip used in the European version of the Galaxy S22.
This choice may raise eyebrows as the Exynos platform faced criticism for its high heat generation and inferior performance when compared to its Qualcomm counterpart, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Interestingly, the Galaxy S23 FE variant launched in the USA features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, showcasing a notable difference in processing power.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A New Direction in Smartphone Photography
Performance Optimizations
While we’ll have to wait for comprehensive reviews to gauge the Exynos 2200’s performance in the new phone, leaks suggest noticeable improvements in performance, even if it doesn’t quite match up to the Snapdragon. Regardless of the region, the device comes equipped with 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB of storage.
Design Excellence
One of the standout features of the Galaxy S23 FE is its design, heavily inspired by the more premium models in the Galaxy S23 family. It features Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back panels and aluminum on the sides.
However, some elements, like the sizable bezels around the display, resemble the budget-friendly Galaxy A54. The Dynamic AMOLED display offers 6.4 inches of screen real estate with a Full HD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, a variable refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, and a brightness of up to 1,000 nits.
Camera Prowess
The camera setup is another highlight, featuring a 10 MP selfie camera and a trio of rear lenses, including a 50 MP primary sensor with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultrawide lens with a wide 123° field of view, and an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Samsung promises high-quality images, even in low-light conditions, thanks to enhanced algorithms.
Battery Considerations
One aspect that might disappoint some consumers is the battery, which, for the third consecutive generation, offers a capacity of only 4,500 mAh, accompanied by a modest 25W charging speed. While the new chips may provide better battery life than previous generations, it’s still a curious choice considering that the company offers cheaper phones with larger battery capacities. Additionally, the international version doesn’t include a charger in the box, with the Brazilian model expected to offer a 15W adapter.
Comprehensive Feature Set
The Galaxy S23 FE excels in other specifications, including 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, stereo sound with Dolby Atmos, an optical in-display fingerprint reader, IP68 water and dust resistance, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging, and Android 13 out of the box, running under the One UI 5.1 skin. As a bonus, Samsung offers an extended support program, guaranteeing four major system updates and five years of security updates.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is set to hit international shelves starting Thursday, with a suggested price of $599 or approximately R$3,100 without taxes. Samsung has also confirmed that Brazil will receive the new model soon, with more details to be revealed in the near future.
Technical Specifications (for reference)
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Display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.4 inches, Full HD+ resolution, variable refresh rate (60 Hz to 120 Hz), Gorilla Glass 5
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Processor: Samsung Exynos 2200 (global) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (USA)
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RAM: 6 GB or 8 GB
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Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB
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Rear Cameras: 50 MP (Primary) + 12 MP (Ultrawide) + 8 MP (Telephoto)
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Front Camera: 10 MP
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Dimensions: 157.9 x 76.5 x 8.1 mm
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Weight: 209 g
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Battery: 4,500 mAh with 25W fast charging
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Additional Features: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E Dual Band, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Dolby Atmos stereo sound, in-display optical fingerprint reader, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging, IP68 certification
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Available Colors: Gray, Cream, Green, and Purple (Blue and Orange exclusively online)
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Operating System: Android 13 with One UI 5.1 skin
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