8.0 Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Like
Speedy efficiency
Cheaper price for higher-end options
Lowlight images
Do not like
Battery existence
Feels very similar to the Galaxy S22, for higher and worse
After per week spent the use of the $600 (£599, AU$999) Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, I determined that the corporate’s “FE” must now stand for “Flagship Necessities.” That is not a foul factor, because the S23 FE comprises most of the options that Samsung handiest comprises in its Galaxy S23 telephones, whilst scaling again spaces that assist it hit a value that is $200 much less. It fills an opening in Samsung’s lineup between the $450 Galaxy A54 and the $800 Galaxy S23 relatively neatly. A Samsung consultant has additionally showed that FE not stands for “Fan Version” because it did up to now, with the FE label now status by itself.Once I first were given the telephone, I used to be pleasantly stunned to peer how briskly it ran via putting in my apps, settings and internet pages. That is in large part due to the telephone’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, which regardless of being virtually two years previous continues to be quicker than the Galaxy A54 5G’s Exynos 1380 chip. The world over, the Galaxy S23 FE comprises Samsung’s Exynos 2200 processor, however my evaluate unit is the USA style with the Qualcomm chip.Once I took the S23 FE to my folks’ area over the weekend, I realized firsthand how treasured it may be to spend a little bit further on a telephone that has more-premium options like opposite wi-fi charging. I forgot my USB-C energy adapter, however the S23 FE helped me energy up my different units till I used to be in a position to get to a Perfect Purchase. That is one thing I do not need been in a position to do at the less expensive Galaxy A54 5G.
The Galaxy S23 FE is at the identical processor because the Galaxy S22, which continues to be rapid even though it is not new. Mike Sorrentino/CNETThe S23 FE features a 50-megapixel primary digital camera and 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera, very similar to what is integrated at the $800 Galaxy S23, which labored like a appeal all the way through my cousin’s middle of the night wedding ceremony hung on Roosevelt Island. The telephone additionally features a telephoto digital camera, any other characteristic generally observed handiest on Samsung’s dearer telephones, which got here in to hand for taking zoomed-in pictures.To be transparent, this is not the Galaxy S23 style to shop for if you are searching for the newest and biggest specifications at a reduced worth. However if you are bearing in mind springing for a less expensive Android telephone, the Galaxy S23 FE is a wonderful starter flagship that will get you get entry to to Samsung’s higher-end options with out the fee to check.
My evaluate unit is the crimson style of the Galaxy S23 FE. Mike Sorrentino/CNETSamsung Galaxy S23 FE design, specifications, batteryThe Samsung Galaxy S23 FE rings a bell in my memory of Apple’s iPhone 5C from a decade in the past. That 12 months, Apple took the internals of the iPhone 5 and positioned them inside of a colourful polycarbonate frame, and dropped the fee to $100 not up to the new-for-2013 iPhone 5S. On this case, Samsung repackaged most of the Galaxy S22’s specifications and contours, put them into a colourful aluminum frame and made the fee $200 not up to the Galaxy S23. Since Samsung did not finally end up freeing a Galaxy S22 FE, that is the primary telephone between midrange and flagship worth that the corporate has launched in a few years.My evaluate tool is the crimson style, however the Galaxy S23 FE is available in a rainbow of colours, together with Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite and Mint. The again of the telephone is just a little of a fingerprint magnet, however the colourful taste is in a different way welcome.The telephone’s 6.4-inch 1,080p show additionally hits a candy spot between the smaller 6.1-inch show at the base Galaxy S23 and the 6.6-inch show at the Galaxy S23 Plus. I in my view favor telephones this measurement for the reason that expanded display supplies numerous room to view media with out the telephone’s frame absolutely occupying my pants pocket. The S23 FE’s show runs at a variable refresh charge as much as 120Hz, and comprises an technique to activate an always-on show.
The 6.4-inch show feels giant for media, however it does not weigh down like a 6.7-inch display would possibly. Mike Sorrentino/CNETEven regardless that we are now at the cusp of seeing telephones that come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 continues to be an overly succesful chip. In my Geekbench 6 and 3DMark trying out, the telephone compares equivalently to the hot $699 Pixel 8 that runs on Google’s new Tensor G3 chip. It additionally suits up with the $599 Not anything Telephone 2 and the $999 Motorola Razr Plus, either one of which run at the fairly more recent Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. Not like Samsung’s different Galaxy S23 telephones, this Qualcomm chip is not in particular optimized “For Galaxy,” however it nonetheless assists in keeping up with many different 2023 telephones.The telephone ships with Android 13 and Samsung’s One UI 5.1 pores and skin, and comprises DeX mode, the desktop-optimized view for connecting the S23 FE to a observe, which is not to be had at the $450 Galaxy A54. Like different Galaxy S telephones, it’s going to obtain 4 years of Android instrument updates together with 5 years of safety updates.Regardless that the Galaxy S23 FE features a better 4,500mAh battery than the common Galaxy S23’s 3,900mAh one, I discovered that the battery tired quicker than I anticipated. I used to be in a position to make it a complete day with out recharging, however I in most cases ended my days with the telephone between 12% and 20%.
The Galaxy S23 FE makes use of an optical fingerprint sensor for unlocking. Mike Sorrentino/CNETDuring our YouTube streaming drain take a look at, through which I performed a video for 3 hours at complete brightness, the S23 FE depleted to 94% after the primary hour, 85% by means of the second one and 77% by means of the 3rd. This makes the telephone’s effects kind of similar to these of the Pixel 8 — which completed at 79% by means of the 3rd hour. Then again, maximum different 2023 telephones on which we now have run this take a look at retained over 80% in their battery existence by means of the 3rd hour. In a 45-minute battery staying power take a look at through which I performed 20 mins of a recreation adopted by means of 20 mins of a video whilst scrolling internet sites, the telephone dropped from 96% to 85%, which could also be at the increased aspect. The unique Galaxy S22 had a equivalent consequence all the way through a equivalent staying power take a look at, and my colleague Lisa Eadicicco famous in her evaluate that battery existence was once a topic.Regardless that I do want the Galaxy S23 FE’s battery existence was once longer, its 25W charging was once in a position to take the battery from 5% to 59% all the way through my 30-minute charging take a look at, which bodes neatly must you want to provide the telephone a noon fee. This could also be the similar charging pace that is presented at the base Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S23.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE comprises 3 cameras: a 50-megapixel primary digital camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens. Mike Sorrentino/CNETSamsung Galaxy S23 FE camerasThe Samsung Galaxy S23 FE’s cameras carry out relatively neatly in various sunlight hours and middle of the night settings. I used to be in a position to get some jaw-dropping pictures of New York Town’s skyline from Roosevelt Island at evening, detailed pet pictures, and a few great pictures of a colourful charcuterie birthday dinner with my good friend Mark.
Middle of the night photograph taken at the Galaxy S23 from New York’s Roosevelt Island. Mike Sorrentino/CNET
My good friend Mark and I dug into the entire cheese. Mike Sorrentino/CNETThe S23 FE scales again fairly with its 8-megapixel telephoto digital camera, in comparison with the 10-megapixel telephoto lens presented at the dearer Galaxy S23 telephones. However that lens nonetheless is helping with its 3x optical zoom. I examined this zoom lens outdoor in Astor Position and inside of at Astoria Bier and Cheese, discovering the 3x zoom to stay a pleasing quantity of element.
Taken at the 50-megapixel primary digital camera. Mike Sorrentino/CNET
Taken at 3x optical zoom at the 8-megapixel telephoto digital camera. Mike Sorrentino/CNET
An aspect-by-side taken at Astoria Bier and Cheese. At the left is a meals shelf taken at the primary digital camera of the S23 FE, and the suitable is the meals shelf at 3x zoom, making the most of the telephoto digital camera. Mike Sorrentino/CNETThe S23 FE can zoom as much as 30x digitally, however high quality dips considerably — virtual zoom plants into what the digital camera can see, steadily resulting in a noisier symbol. My pictures at a pet display fundraiser did not pop out nice when the use of that virtual zoom.
Taken the use of the virtual zoom, which ends up in much more symbol noise. Mike Sorrentino/CNETHowever, it is price noting that the Galaxy S23 FE is $100 greater than Google’s Pixel 7A — and that latter telephone gives a large number of digital camera options regardless of missing a telephoto lens. I took each telephones with me for some comparability capturing, and located that during many settings the S23 FE compares relatively favorably to the Pixel 7A.All through a talk over with to the hot Wegmans grocery retailer in Astor Position, I took pictures of a Eastern fish stand. Each cameras soak up a large number of the other colours of fish on show. It is only once I get started zooming into the pictures that I get started discovering how the S23 FE captured extra of the writing at the small indicators than the 7A did. The fish stand at Wegman’s taken at the Galaxy S23 FE. Mike Sorrentino/CNET The fish stand taken at the Pixel 7A. Mike Sorrentino/CNETIn those pictures of Reis the pet, each telephones captured her furriness whilst suffering along with her continuously wagging tail. Understand the movement blur on Reis’ tail.
Reis the pet as taken at the Galaxy S23 FE. Mike Sorrentino/CNET
Reis as taken at the Pixel 7A. Mike Sorrentino/CNETNight mode is the place the Galaxy S23 FE pulls forward of the 7A, regardless that. I took each telephones to an overly darkish pond, and the S23 FE captured a considerably clearer shot, bearing in mind it was once taken in the dark. The S23 FE’s photograph has much less symbol noise and looks to turn extra of the pond’s setting.
Pond at evening taken at the Galaxy S23 FE. Mike Sorrentino/CNET
Pond at evening taken at the Pixel 7A. Mike Sorrentino/CNETThe S23 FE’s 8-megapixel front-facing digital camera is also a slight cut back from the usual S23’s 10-megapixel digital camera. Then again, in my comparability trying out towards the Pixel 7A’s 13-megapixel front-facing digital camera, the S23 FE were given extra element in my hair and face. This might come all the way down to a question of desire, since Google’s photograph processing has a tendency to want extra reasonable colours over the extra saturated glance in Samsung’s pictures. Samsung’s digital camera app has presets for herbal or shiny processing, however I had the herbal possibility decided on for those.I will see the ways in which the Galaxy S23 FE’s digital camera outperforms the Pixel 7A, however for some folks the standard distinction will not be price the additional $100. Each cameras are relatively succesful in sunlight and lowlight eventualities. In addition they come with various processing choices for purchasing probably the most out of the ones pictures. The S23 FE can document 4K video at 60 frames consistent with 2nd (fps) and 8K at 24 fps. The 7A’s very best atmosphere is 4K at 30 fps.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. Mike Sorrentino/CNETSamsung Galaxy S23 FE backside lineThe Galaxy S23 FE is a wonderful possibility for anyone who needs a nicer Samsung telephone with no need to pay $800 or extra. It might be a specifically noticeable improve for anyone coming from a 2- or 3-year-old telephone from Samsung’s Galaxy A line or the Pixel 4A. The FE’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip will really feel like a pace spice up, and the images might be a noticeable step ahead.However, this telephone may not fulfill individuals who in most cases purchase the most recent telephone in the marketplace. The more-expensive $800 Galaxy S23 nonetheless gives numerous step-up options to tell apart itself absolutely from the S23 FE, however it is relatively most likely we’re going to be seeing a Galaxy S24 early subsequent 12 months with even more recent specifications.Anyone bearing in mind the Galaxy S23 FE must examine it to Google’s $499 Pixel 7A. Each telephones come with succesful processors, wi-fi charging, very good symbol processing and come with many of the options observed on their more-expensive opposite numbers, at a cheaper price. The primary components that separate the 2 are the S23 FE’s telephoto digital camera, better show and fairly quicker efficiency.Google additionally nonetheless sells the Pixel 7 for $599, which provides opposite wi-fi charging. The telephone additionally suits up with the $599 Not anything Telephone 2, whose glyph LED lighting fixtures upload its personal sense of fashion. We have not but reviewed the $600 Motorola Edge, however that telephone is together with 256GB of area at that worth, together with rapid 68W charging, and it is very similar to the Lenovo ThinkPhone by means of Motorola.However the Galaxy S23 FE comprises simply sufficient energy to offer get entry to to all of Samsung’s higher-end options, and the compromises Samsung makes to reach a cheaper price will in large part cross ignored. Simply bear in mind that relying in your utilization, chances are you’ll need to stay an influence wire within sight to recharge that battery.Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs. Google Pixel 7A vs. Not anything Telephone 2
Samsung Galaxy S23 FEGoogle Pixel 7ANothing Telephone 2 Show measurement, decision 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED show, (2,340×1,080 pixels) adaptive 120Hz refresh charge (60Hz to 120Hz)6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60/90Hz 6.7-inch OLED; 2,412×1,080 pixels; HDR10+, 120Hz adaptivePixel density 466 ppi361 ppi394 ppiDimensions (inches) 6.22×3.01×0.32 inches6x2.87×0.35 inches6.38x3x0.33 inchesDimensions (millimeters) 157.9×76.4×8.1mm73x152x9mm162x76x8.6mmWeight (oz., grams) 209 grams (7.4 ounces)193 grams (6.81 ounces)201.2 grams (7.1 ounces)Cell instrument Android 13Android 13Android 13Camera 50 megapixel (extensive), 12 megapixel (ultrawide), 8 megapixel (telephoto)64 megapixel (primary), 13 megapixel (ultrawide)50 megapixel (primary), 50 megapixel (ultrawide)Entrance-facing digital camera 10 megapixel13 megapixel, 4K @ 30fps32 megapixelVideo seize 8K at 24fps, 4K at 60fps4K at 30/60fps4K at 60fpsProcessor Snapdragon 8 Gen 1Tensor G2Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1RAM/Garage 8GB + 128GB, 256GB8GB/128GB8+128GB; 12+256GBExpandable garage NoneNoneNoneBattery/charger 4,500 mAh (25W stressed charging)4,385 mAh (18W rapid charging 7.5W wi-fi charging) 4,700 mAhFingerprint sensor In-displaySideIn-displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneSpecial options Wi-fi PowerShare, Speedy Wi-fi Charging 2.0, Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault, IP68 water resistance5G (5G sub6/mmWave), IP67 ranking, 18W rapid charging, 7.5W wi-fi charging 5G-enabled, IP54 water resistance, 45W stressed charging, flashing rear lighting fixtures How we take a look at phonesEvery telephone examined by means of CNET’s opinions group was once if truth be told utilized in the true global. We take a look at a telephone’s options, play video games, and take pictures. We read about the show to peer if it is vivid, sharp and colourful. We analyze the design and construct to peer how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP-rating for water-resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes, the use of standardized benchmark gear like GeekBench and 3DMark in addition to our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and taking part in graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges.All of the cameras are examined in various stipulations, from vivid daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like evening mode and portrait mode and examine our findings towards in a similar fashion priced competing telephones. We additionally take a look at the battery existence by means of the use of the telephone day by day in addition to working a sequence of battery drain checks.We keep in mind further options, like give a boost to for 5G; satellite tv for pc connectivity; fingerprint and face sensors; stylus give a boost to; rapid charging speeds; and foldable shows, amongst others that may be helpful. And we steadiness all this towards the fee to provide the verdict on whether or not that telephone, no matter worth it’s, if truth be told represents just right price. Regardless that those checks would possibly not consistently be mirrored in CNET’s preliminary evaluate, we behavior follow-up and long-term trying out in maximum cases.
