Galaxy S23 FE Intro
Word on the street is that we are soon to see Samsung's next generation of the Galaxy Fan Edition phones, which is set to come with an upgraded powerful processor and new cameras: a combo that usually bodes substantial improvements.
The Galaxy S23 FE will be succeeding the Galaxy S21 FE, which had a bit of a late launch. You might notice that we did not mention a Galaxy S22 FE — that's because Samsung decided to skip it, so there isn't one. There are numerous suspected reasons for this decision, but the tech giant never came out to state them clearly.
Thankfully, the Galaxy S23 FE should arrive some time this September, and given that we have already entered said month there isn't much time before Samsung makes the expected announcement. So, let's take a look at what we can expect the next Galaxy Fan Edition to feature!
What’s new about the Galaxy S23 FE:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) / Exynos 2200 (4nm) New feature2
- New cameras across the board (or at least the main and front ones)
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Worse wireless charging?
Table of Contents:
Galaxy S23 FE Release Date
Unlike its other phones, Samsung has a sporadic release schedule when it comes to its FE series. The OG Galaxy S FE model, the S20 FE, was released on September 23 in 2020 while the Galaxy S21 FE came out in January 11, 2022 (Samsung skipped a Galaxy S22 FE). In other words, we can't rely on history to be our guide here.
Thankfully, there have been numerous reports by Korean outlets and leakers pointing at September as the month when Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S23 FE, albeit without any specific dates being mentioned.
As a bit of a side note, alongside the expansion of Samsung's Fan Edition series, there is some word about the tech giant making the Galaxy S FE phones an annual occurrence, so the aforementioned sporadic release schedule might be at an end. Of course, that largely depends on how the S23 FE does on the market.
Galaxy S23 FE Specs
Judging by the leaked specs for the Galaxy S23 FE, we expect the phone to be you run of the mill mid-ranger that sits higher in the mid-range phone spectrum. Suffice it say, grazing that fine line that separates flagship from non-flagship phones by offering performance associated with a premium price tag, but just shy of it.
Here are the rumored Galaxy S23 FE specs so far:
| Specs | Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|
| Size and Weight | 6.22 x 3.0 x 0.32in (158 x 76.3 x 8.2mm) |
| Display |
|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200 |
| RAM, Storage and Price |
|
| Software | OneUI 5.1 based on Android 13 |
| Cameras |
|
| Battery Size | 4500mAh |
| Charging Speeds | 25W wired, 4.4W wireless |
Galaxy S23 FE Design & Colors
We expect to see an almost identical design as that of the Galaxy S23, which would come as no surprise given Samsung's efforts this year to make all of its popular phones look similar. Much like with last generation, the rumored 6.22 x 3.0 x 0.32in dimensions would put the Galaxy S23 FE closer to the Galaxy S23 Plus in terms of size, albeit a bit thicker.
In July we even got to see what was allegedly the first live image of a Galaxy S23 FE thanks to the Wireless Power Consortium website:
Live image of the Galaxy S23 FE.
Galaxy S23 FE Display
With the leaks hinting at the Galaxy S23 FE's size being closer to that of the Galaxy S23 Plus, we can also expect the display to be similarly large. More specifically, we expect to see a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with HDR10+ support and a variable refresh rate of 120Hz.
The resolution is said to be 1080 x 2340 pixels. Additionally, there should be Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (strongest and most durable glass so far) to protect the screen.
To translate all of these numbers and tech into simple English, the Galaxy S23 FE should have a large and gorgeous display that is a pleasure to work with.
Galaxy S23 FE Camera
One of the more exciting rumors related to the upcoming Galaxy S23 FE is that it will feature the same 50MP main camera as the one on the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus. If that turns out to be the case we can expect some flagship-level image quality from this year's Galaxy Fan Edition!
As for the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras on the back, the latest rumors say Samsung has "swapped" their megapixels compared to the S21 FE. In other words, instead of a 12MP ultra-wide and an 8MP telephoto, we might see a 12MP telephoto and an 8MP ultra-wide. That said, there is a possibility this is a simple mistake as a consequence of passing the information from one source to another, so we are somewhat skeptical.
Last but not least, the selfie camera is said to be upgraded with a new 10MP image sensor which is rumored to be borrowed straight from the Galaxy S22. So, we should see an increase in the image quality when shooting with the front-facing snapper too!
When it comes to memory and storage, the Galaxy S23 FE is said to come in four options: 6/128GB, 8/128GB, 6/256GB, and 8/256GB. If you are hoping for an SD card slot for expandable storage than you should keep your expectations low, as nothing points at the S23 FE having one, much like the S21 FE from 2022.
Galaxy S23 FE Performance & Benchmarks
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S23 FE in two different variations when it comes to chipsets: one model with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 from Qualcomm, and one with the Exynos 2200 made by Samsung itself. More likely than not, the two variations will be intended for specific markets, with the Snapdragon probably going to the U.S. and the Exynos to Europe.
Galaxy S23 FE OS / Android version
Given that Google is a bit behind schedule this year with the release of Android 14, it is hard to say whether the Galaxy S23 FE will launch with that version of Android. If it does, however, that would be accompanied with Samsung's One UI 6.0.
As for software support, Samsung is one of the kings when it comes to this topic, and just like with its more expensive flagship phones it is expected the Galaxy S23 FE will get 4 years of major software updates and 5 years of security patches.
That would mean the Galaxy S23 FE will get the following Android versions before it looses support:
- Android 14 (2023)
- Android 15 (2024)
- Android 16 (2025)
- Android 17 (2026-2027)
Security updates will continue until 2028.
Galaxy S23 FE Battery
There are no changes expected with the Galaxy S23 FE battery, meaning we should get the same 4500mAh battery that is also found in the predecessor. That being said, with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset we could see improvements in battery efficiency, leading to longer battery life.
Galaxy S23 FE Charging Speeds
Wired charging speeds are said to remain at a maximum of 25W, however, some leaks point at a decrease in wireless charging speeds from 15W on the S21 FE to just 4.4W on the S23 FE. However, decreasing the wireless charging speed would be a bit of an unexpected change by Samsung, and those 4.4W is a rather weird number, so don't be quick to disappoint just yet.
Galaxy S23 FE Audio Quality and Haptics
Samsung's FE phones usually come with high-quality parts inside, and the speakers are no exception. The S21 FE could produce audio that was very close to that of the more expensive Galaxy S21, so we expect similar performance with this generation when compared to the Galaxy S23 series that came out at the beginning of the year.
If were wonder, no, there will be no headphone jack on the Galaxy S23 FE. As for the haptic feedback, it should be more than decent.
Galaxy S23 FE Competitors
The mid-range phone segment is arguably the most interesting one. At this price range you have every manufacturer trying their best to give what it thinks users want from a phone, but also what they don't necessarily need.
Not to mention that in 2023, between the $400 and $700 mark there are many phones worth your consideration, and we fully expect the Galaxy S23 FE to be one of them. So, here are two alternatives you might consider instead of the upcoming S23 FE from Samsung.
Nothing Phone (2)
The Nothing Phone (2) was announced on July 13, so it is still quite fresh. Now that I think about it, fresh is a great word for the Nothing Phone (2) in more than one way, as it also comes with Nothing's more creative approach to physical and software design.
What the Nothing Phone (2) will probably not be better at, however, is the camera hardware and performance. More likely than not the triple camera system on the Galaxy S23 FE will be better in comparison, and at no small margin at that.
Google Pixel 7
Speaking of great cameras, the Google Pixel 7 should definitely be checked out as an alternative to the Galaxy S23 FE. Now, it does not have as powerful of a chipset, or as long of a software support, but if you are looking for the best camera quality and the most camera features for this price than the Pixel 7 might be a better purchase.
Galaxy S23 FE Summary and Final Verdict
So, will the Galaxy S23 FE truly be what Samsung fans want from the company's "lite" flagship? Our guess is that it will! With an improved camera system featuring new image sensor across the board and a powerful new chipset the latest Fan Edition phone from Samsung should cover all the bases to achieve its ultimate goal: giving flagship-level performance for less money.
