Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Review – A Flagship Killer or Just Another Mid-Ranger?

Introduction to the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

Samsung's Fan Edition (FE) line was introduced to bring flagship features to a more accessible price point, blending performance and design from the premium Galaxy S series with some budget-friendly compromises. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the latest iteration, sitting between the Galaxy A-series and the flagship S23 lineup. With a refined build, powerful hardware, and a few cost-saving tweaks, the S23 FE aims to deliver maximum value for money.

Is it really the ultimate mid-range champion, or just a dressed-up Galaxy A device? Let’s find out.

Unboxing Experience and First Impressions

Samsung sticks to its minimal packaging policy here. The box includes:

• The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE handset
• A USB-C to USB-C charging cable
• A SIM ejector tool
• Quick start guide

No charging brick, case, or screen protector, which is standard now in Samsung’s eco-conscious packaging approach.

On first boot, the phone feels premium in hand with a solid weight and a polished design that resembles its more expensive siblings. The display immediately stands out — bright, smooth, and vibrant.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy S23 FE strikes a balance between style and substance. Its aluminium frame gives it a sturdy feel, while the Gorilla Glass 5 front and back add durability. The design language mirrors the Galaxy S23 series, with minimalist aesthetics and a clean camera layout.

• Size: 158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm
• Weight: 209 grams

It’s slightly heavier than the regular S23, largely due to a bigger battery and screen.

Display Performance

Samsung has equipped the S23 FE with a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080). True to Samsung’s reputation, the display is vivid and sharp, with deep blacks and excellent viewing angles.

• Brightness: Up to 1450 nits, making it usable under direct sunlight
• HDR10+ support: Enhances movie and streaming experiences
• Adaptive refresh rate: Makes interactions smoother while conserving battery

Processor and Performance

Depending on the region, the Galaxy S23 FE comes with either:

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US and select markets)
• Exynos 2200 (Global variant)

While both are flagship-level chips from 2022, the Snapdragon variant tends to be more thermally efficient. In daily use, the phone handles multitasking, app launching, and switching with ease. Benchmarks place it slightly below the S23 but ahead of most mid-range competition.

• Geekbench 6 multi-core: ~3400
• AnTuTu Score: ~900,000

Gaming Experience

Thanks to the Adreno 730 GPU (Snapdragon) or Xclipse 920 (Exynos), the Galaxy S23 FE delivers a solid gaming experience:

• PUBG/BGMI: Smooth at HDR graphics + Ultra frame rates
• Genshin Impact: Runs well on medium-high settings
• Thermal control: Slight heating after prolonged sessions, but manageable

Samsung's Game Booster software optimises performance dynamically, and the haptics enhance immersion.

Software and One UI Features

Running on Android 14 with One UI 6, the S23 FE is feature-rich:

• Customisation: Enhanced lock screen personalisation, stacked widgets, and routines
• Productivity tools: Samsung DeX support, secure folder, clipboard manager
• Bloatware: Minimal and easily removable

Samsung promises 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches, offering excellent software longevity.

Camera System Review

The triple camera system includes:

• 50 MP main sensor (f/1.8, OIS)
• 12 MP ultra-wide (123° FOV)
• 8 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
• 10 MP front camera

Daylight Photography

Photos are crisp with vibrant colours and great dynamic range. Samsung's image processing shines here, producing social media-ready images without additional editing.

Low-Light and Night Mode Performance

• Night mode takes 2-3 seconds but produces clear, usable results
• Telephoto shots at night struggle slightly but still usable

The night mode has improved, with better noise handling and brighter images. The optical image stabilisation (OIS) helps in capturing sharp low-light photos.

Battery Life and Charging

• Battery: 4500mAh
• Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless, no charger in the box

On average use:

• Screen-on Time (SOT): 6 to 7 hours
• Full charge: ~75 minutes with Samsung’s 25W charger

Audio and Multimedia

• Stereo speakers: Tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos
• No headphone jack
• Great clarity: Loud and well-balanced output

Comparison with Galaxy S21 FE & S23

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

• Flagship-level display with 120Hz refresh rate
• Excellent main camera with strong daylight and night performance
• Premium design with Gorilla Glass protection
• Long software support (4 years OS, 5 years security)
• Reliable battery life and wireless charging
• Competitive pricing

❌ Cons

• No charger included in the box
• Slight thermal throttling on Exynos variant during heavy gaming
• No adaptive refresh rate (locked at 60/120Hz)
• Slower charging compared to competitors (25W max)
• Telephoto and ultra-wide lenses underperform in low light

Final Verdict – Is the Galaxy S23 FE Worth It?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE strikes an impressive balance between price and performance. It offers a flagship-grade display, a versatile camera system, and a polished software experience, all packaged in a sleek, premium body. With long-term software support and reliable performance, it’s a fantastic choice for users who want top-tier features without splurging on the latest flagship.

Whether you're a student, a working professional, or a casual smartphone user, the S23 FE is a dependable, all-around performer.

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