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Updated January 10, 2024·
If a quality camera is important to you, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a better camera system for both still photos and videos than the Galaxy A23. For those interested in longevity, the Galaxy S21 FE also has a higher build quality. However, if battery life is a top priority, the Galaxy A23 lasts longer on a single charge. Keep in mind, the Galaxy A23 is larger in size, which could be a plus if you prefer a bigger screen or a drawback if you're looking for something more compact like the Galaxy S21 FE. The S21 FE is priced higher than the A23, reflecting these differences. Both run on Android and have plastic backs, but the S21 FE includes features like an OLED screen with slightly higher quality and under-display fingerprint sensor, which could make it feel more premium despite the additional cost. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A23
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy A23.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.7
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE boasts better camera capabilities with overall good performance across software experience, dynamic range, low-light, and versatility including a stronger selfie camera which is very important for users. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A23 struggles with poor performance in these areas, which leads to unsatisfactory photos and videos, especially in challenging conditions.
Photo Quality
4.7
6.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A23 takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes better photos than the Samsung Galaxy A23 due to its superior software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, camera versatility, and notably, selfie quality. These are all areas where the Galaxy S21 FE ranges from good to very good, while the Galaxy A23 is rated as poor across the board in the same categories.
Video Quality
4.3
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Samsung Galaxy A23 both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A23 produces poor video quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE due to lower video resolution and frame rate capabilities, alongside subpar video software experience and stabilization features. Additionally, the Galaxy A23 does not perform well in terms of video dynamic range and low light conditions and has inferior microphone quality, which together contribute to its overall poor video performance.
Battery
9.3 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has 9.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a screen size of 6.6 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$350
$770
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy A23 has a price of $350 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A23 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A23 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$350 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2022 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.6" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2408 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 400 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD695 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.4/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.3 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.51" x 3.03" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.95 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 30, 66, 77 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A23
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Android Police
Connor Nolan | October 2022
"With four years of security updates, a Snapdragon 695, and far and away the best display at this price point, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is one of the best values in the budget category you're likely to see for quite a while. Buy it if you want a super long support life for your budget phone."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A23 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,100
Recommendations made
86,190
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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