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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize having a better camera and more updated design and tech, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE would be the better option, though it is typically pricier. However, if you're looking to save money and need a phone with a longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A53 would suit your needs, with the tradeoff being a slightly less impressive camera and hardware performance. Both phones have similar screen sizes and resolutions, operate on the Android system, and support 5G connectivity. Keep in mind, the Galaxy A53 has a plastic back, while the S23 FE sports a more premium glass back. 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 A53
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.9
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 offers a fair selfie experience, as well as versatile camera options, despite some limitations in software, dynamic range, and low light performance. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE steps up the selfie game significantly, providing very good camera capabilities across the board, including software, dynamic range, and low light handling, but at a typically higher price point.
Photo Quality
6.2
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 delivers very good photos with software that enhances the photography experience adequately, though its selfie photos are rated fair when comparing quality; in contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE elevates the photo-taking experience with very good photos software and good selfie photo quality, indicating superior front-camera performance.
Video Quality
5.2
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 captures videos with decent resolution and frame rate, and offers satisfactory software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE excels with superior video resolution and frame rate, alongside a more advanced software experience and better video stabilization, dynamic range, low light capabilities, and microphone quality.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$200
$600
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a price of $200 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE costs $600.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A53 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A53 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$200 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 24, 2022 | October 26, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 405 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | E1280 | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6.4 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 | 6.28" x 2.94" | 6.22" x 3.01" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.67 oz | 7.37 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, White, Black | Mint, Purple, Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A53
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | May 2023
"Samsung’s quartet of rear cameras delivers the goods, both day and night, with the only blemish being the lack of 4K/60fps video recording. The large, 6.5-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display is crisp and smooth, making video streaming enjoyable. You should have no issues pushing the 5,000mAh battery to its limits and it’s not too slow to charge relative to its competitors in the US."
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Iyaz Akhtar | October 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is easily one of the best midrange Android phones on the market. The S23 FE has some appealing features you won't find on the Pixel 8 like a dedicated telephoto camera, a bigger screen, and the ability to use it like a computer via Samsung's Dex mode. So if productivity is more important to you than camera tricks, you won't find a better phone than the Galaxy S23 FE."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A53 or the Samsung Galaxy S23 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
124,800
Recommendations made
70,720
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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