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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize camera quality and are willing to pay more, the Samsung Galaxy S23 would be a better choice. However, if battery life and screen size are more important to you and you're looking to save money, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is a compelling option despite the lower camera performance. Both phones operate on Android, so the software experience will be similar. 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 S23
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Excellent performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
8.3
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23's selfie camera has been rated higher, implying it can take better quality selfies, which is very important. Although both phones perform well in camera versatility and in low light situations, the Samsung Galaxy S23 leads with an overall better photo and video experience.
Photo Quality
8.3
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes excellent photos due to its higher selfie score which is very important, plus very good performance across other factors like resolution, software, dynamic range, and low light handling, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, despite its very good overall camera capabilities, doesn't quite match the S23’s selfie quality and scores slightly lower in dynamic range and low light performance.
Video Quality
7.8
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE both have good videos, though the Samsung Galaxy S23 takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 takes excellent videos due to its superior performance in resolution and frame rate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low-light performance, and microphone quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, which takes good videos but does not match the S23 in these areas.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$700
$600
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has a price of $700 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE costs $600.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is 6.4 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$700 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 17, 2023 | October 26, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 422 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD8G2 | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.9/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3900 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.76" x 2.79" | 6.22" x 3.01" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.93 oz | 7.37 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 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 | Pink Gold, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Green, Lime, Graphite | Mint, Purple, Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S23
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | February 2023
"The 6.1-inch S23 is the best reasonably sized Android phone on the market in the US, partly because almost every other Android phone sold here is gigantic. But it’s also a really good device, with a battery that gets through a full day more comfortably than its predecessor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset responsible for some of that battery performance improvement is slightly different — and slightly faster — than the 8 Gen 2 in other Android flagships."
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 S23 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
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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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