The FE (fan edition) range from Samsung is back after taking a year off, starting with the Galaxy S23 FE smartphone. Don’t mistake it for the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, or the Galaxy S23 Ultra; this is an entirely fresh device. However, it draws considerable design inspiration from the standard Galaxy S23 series.
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Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S23 FE will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, featuring 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 was officially unveiled in December 2021 and might be considered a tad dated, it still offers impressive speed and efficiency, thanks to its 4nm manufacturing process.
It’s worth mentioning that Samsung will introduce a different chip for the Galaxy S23 FE in specific markets, likely an Exynos variant. The device is fully equipped for connectivity, supporting 5G and LTE networks, while also featuring Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E, and NFC capabilities. The phone will operate on an undisclosed version of One UI, built on the foundation of Android 13.
In terms of size and design, the Galaxy S23 FE falls somewhere between the standard Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23+. Design-wise, the phone closely resembles its flagship counterparts. The most noticeable difference is the placement of the LED flash on the back, positioned between the first and middle camera, whereas the Galaxy S23 flagships position it next to the top sensor.
The FE maintains the same button and port configuration as its siblings, featuring the volume rocker and power button on the right side, along with a speaker, USB-C port, and microphone on the bottom. It carries the IP68 water and dust-resistant certification, akin to the Galaxy S23 flagships, ensuring protection against dust and splashes. While it can handle poolside and beachside environments, submerging the device is not recommended.
On the display front, the Galaxy S23 FE boasts a 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone retains the punch-hole cutout in the centre, akin to the Galaxy S23 flagships, although it does exhibit slightly thicker bezels on all four sides.
The Galaxy S23 FE features a formidable triple-camera arrangement, including a 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and an 84-degree FoV, a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens with a 123-degree FoV, and an 8MP telephoto lens boasting an f/2.4 aperture and 3x optical zoom. The front-facing camera incorporates an f/2.4 sensor with an 80-degree FoV.
Samsung emphasizes the S23 FE’s content creation capabilities, with the Pro mode offering advanced features to maximize the phone’s potential. Initially, it appears that the Galaxy S23 FE may share the same primary and ultrawide cameras as the Galaxy S22, which already delivered excellent camera quality.
Confirming earlier rumours and leaks, the Galaxy S23 FE houses a 4,500 mAh battery, identical to its predecessor, the Galaxy S21 FE. This capacity is expected to provide a full day of usage on a single charge.
In terms of charging, Samsung offers respectable specifications, albeit on the slower side. The device supports 25W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes using the approved 25W power adapter. Additionally, it supports 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging.
