Samsung Galaxy S23 FE review: a convincing in-between but too expensive

 Most manufacturers who offer their flagship smartphones in a lighter and more affordable version label the name of the device with the word Lite. An easy way to identify the model as a good part of the family while understanding that he finds himself less well off than his brothers in order to be able to claim a more accessible price. Not like that at Samsung. Among South Koreans, it is the mention FE (for Fan Edition) which characterizes this type of smartphone. A mobile which more or less takes up the features of its predecessors but where a few compromises here and there mark the difference. Which does not prevent him from being attractive on many points. However, the S23 FE faces a schedule that may not be the most favorable for it. The leaks concerning the next batch of Galaxy S24 for the beginning of 2024 continue to follow one another and the competitors are well established throughout 2023, starting with the Galaxy S23 and S23+ – which has also mysteriously disappeared from the catalog from the manufacturer but which can still be found in many stores – can easily overshadow it. Not to mention the arrival since the start of the school year of a fierce opponent embodied by the Google Pixel 8. Suffice to say that the S23 FE does not have an easy task to convince.

A well-rounded design but some concessions

Samsung doesn't have many lessons to learn when it comes to design and this S23 FE proves it once again. Well, it's also true that the South Korean didn't look very far for inspiration since it comes straight from the Galaxy S23 range released in February 2023. We therefore find a known and proven form. However, a few elements differentiate the new addition to the family. First of all, its size places it right between an S23 and an S23+ with its 158 x 76.5 mm. However, its thickness denotes. This S23 FE is a bit thicker than its two elders with its 8.2 mm compared to 7.6 mm. An immediately perceptible feeling when holding it, especially since the weight is also more generous than the S23 (168 g) and the S23+ (195 g) with 209 g all the same. The smartphone therefore seems quite dense. A sensation that is not unpleasant.

Furthermore, if the edges seem well rounded, this is not the case for the junctions with the backs and the screen which appear tapered. They can therefore leave some marks on the palm during prolonged use.

Thicker and heavier than the S23 and S23+, the S23 FE is however less robust. For him, Samsung has put the Gorilla Victus 2 glass protection aside in favor of a Cornilla Glass 5 that is less resistant both on the back and on the front. The screen actually displays thicker borders and a slight chin.

Finally on the back, we find the vertical alignment of the three well-separated photo modules simply accompanied by the flash LED on the right. Sobriety remains essential and the family resemblance is immediately recognizable. For colors, in addition to green, purple, cream and graphite, two new shades orange and blue are appearing. They remain the exclusivity of the manufacturer's store.

Finally, note that the device has an IP68 certification to resist dust and immersion.

A beautiful Amoled screen worthy of premium models

Samsung also knows how to do it in the field of Amoled panels. And we are not disappointed. The S23 FE's screen has a diagonal of 6.4 inches. It is therefore once again an in-between with the S23 (6.1 inches) and the S23+ (6.6 inches). On the program, an FHD+ definition (2340 x 1080 pixels) for a resolution of 403 ppi. A very comfortable panel whose refresh rate can reach up to 120 Hz. A single other level is set at 60 Hz for those who want to extend the autonomy of the device. In addition to the infinite contrasts provided by Amoled technology, the panel offers excellent brightness (with a peak at 1450 nits according to the manufacturer). We were not bothered when using it in direct sunlight and the anti-reflective treatment also proved to be quite effective. As for the colorimetry, a quick change through the settings allows you to restore less vivid colors as they are set by default. A habit at Samsung which likes saturation.

A neat interface and Android 14 to maneuver

The Galaxy S23 FE is the brand's first smartphone to arrive straight away with Android 14, the latest version of Google's OS. On top of that, the One UI in-house software overlay in version 6.0 makes operations even more pleasant. The shortcuts pane has been reorganized to divide it into more readable sections. Furthermore, as in MIUI, Xiaomi's software overlay, it is possible to dissociate shortcuts from notifications. The Camera app has also been updated for greater simplicity and clarity.

One UI is really easy to understand and particularly fluid. For its device, Samsung announces 4 years of major Android updates and 5 years of security patches. Enough to stay calm until 2028.

A SoC that has had its day

This is undoubtedly Samsung's biggest concession on this S23 FE. While the rest of the Galaxy S23 range is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, the latest must make do with the in-house processor, Exynos 2200, the same chip as on the Galaxy S22 released in… 2022. A real disappointment while the memory of this series of smartphones did not shine with its effectiveness and efficiency. So it’s a bit of a cold shower to see this “old” SoC come out of the woodwork even though the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has just released its circuits. Unsurprisingly, this S23 FE falls well behind its better-equipped predecessors in the various benchmarks. Let's be clear, the scores are not catastrophic either. In reality, the mobile remains fluid and pleasant to use without latency or slowdown. However, in a smartphone costing 700 euros all the same, we expected better and above all, a SoC capable of lasting over time and handling major updates to Android or One UI without flinching.

In game, the S23 FE doesn't do too badly as long as you don't ask for the moon either. We were able to play Genshin Impact we were able to play at 45 frames per second with the level of details low but the experience is not the most pleasant with many slowdowns which spoil the pleasure. We instead recommend a refresh of 30 fps for greater fluidity.

Successful photos day and night

On the photographic side, this S23 FE plays almost at the same level as its elders S23 and S23+. It has a 50-megapixel wide-angle module (f/1.8), a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle module (f/2.2) and finally an 8-megapixel 3x optical telephoto lens (f/ 2.4). It is on the latter that the compromise comes into play since the S23s have a 10 megapixel sensor. On the front too, the device is less well off with a 10 megapixel selfie camera (f/2.2) compared to a 12 megapixel module (f/2.4) among its elders. But despite these small concessions, it is clear that this S23 FE is doing quite well.

With the wide-angle main sensor, the results are very satisfactory and pleasing to the eye. We find very good sharpness with many details. The brightness is well managed and Samsung's usual tendency to enhance the colors a bit to flatter the retina is always present. It is a success.

Portrait mode also remains very pleasant to use, delivering very clean shots. The bokeh is always well controlled with careful clipping.

The ultra wide-angle module does not disappoint either. The sensor, with a lower definition than that of the S23, still manages to provide a good amount of detail. Only the edges of the image may appear less sharp. The deformation remains very well managed.

As for the 3x optical telephoto lens, it also manages to surprise. With a focal length a bit different from that of the S23, it does particularly well when the light conditions are advantageous. It remains very precise with fair colors and not too aggressive smoothing to correct the few defects that may occur.

Beyond 3x, the results can be mixed. The S23 FE can output a block of pixels as a pretty stunning image. Particular care must be taken when focusing to achieve successful shots.

In low light, it's also a nice surprise. The light sources present during the shooting are well managed and the details of the image are convincing. The night mode, which is activated by default thereby extending the exposure time, however has a tendency to brighten the scene a little too much. As long as you don't shake too much, it is possible to deactivate it to obtain a more realistic shot.

Finally, for video, the S23 FE can capture sequences in 4K at 60 frames per second and even in 8K at 24 frames per second. We expected no less for a smartphone in this price category.

Just decent autonomy but charging is still too slow

For the battery, the S23 FE still plays in-between with the S23 and the S23+. It has a 4500 mAh battery compared to 3900 mAh for the S23 and 4700 mAh for the S23+. A priori, this capacity is sufficient to ensure peaceful use. And this is the case, with normal use, the smartphone easily lasts a day or even a day and a half. But as soon as you start asking it a little more with intensive use of the camera, some video editing or gaming, the battery gauge melts quite quickly. So be wary.

For recharging, the device accepts a power still limited to 25 W. In 2023, this capacity seems a little tight. No charger comes in the box. You will therefore have to equip yourself on your side. Allow 1 hour 10 minutes of charging to go from 0 to 100% with a powerful charger. 30 minutes of charging allows you to recover approximately 50% of battery life.

Conclusion: our opinion on the Galaxy S23 FE

The Galaxy S23 FE appears to be a pleasant everyday smartphone, offering good photo performance with decent battery life for standard use. However, it has some flaws. First of all, he's running late. The S23 range released in February 2023 has had plenty of time to win over fans of the brand. Not to mention the multiple promotions which, throughout the year, made it possible to bring down the prices of devices. So with its launch price at 700 euros for the 8-128 GB version (759 euros for the 8-256 GB version), this S23 FE will have a little difficulty convincing. Above all, he doesn't really have any qualities of his own that would allow him to stand out. Its processor is dated, its photo component, although very correct, is less efficient and its battery does not break longevity records. Competition is therefore tough, not only at Samsung but also elsewhere. We are thinking in particular of the Pixel 8 released in the fall at a price of 800 euros with the promise of 7 years of follow-up updates and after-sales service issued by Google. It is therefore perhaps best to wait for a promotion to obtain it