After much speculation, Samsung has finally announced the Galaxy S23 FE. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with the launch of the Pixel 8 series, suggests that Samsung may be trying to steal Google’s thunder. On paper, the S23 FE seems like an attractive option, offering near-flagship specs at a more affordable price compared to its predecessor and the Pixel 8. However, as a long-term owner of the Galaxy S21 FE, I don’t see the S23 FE as a viable upgrade path compared to the Pixel 8.
When Samsung released the mainline Galaxy S23 series earlier this year, I was excited about the rumored S23 Fan Edition. Although I appreciated what the previous-gen S21 FE offered at the time, I was disappointed with its mediocre performance, average battery life, and outdated camera hardware. If Samsung had addressed these issues while keeping the overall package mostly the same, I would have been eager to buy the S23 FE. Unfortunately, the new S23 FE has seen some downgrades compared to its predecessor.
One of the noticeable downgrades is the display. While it is slightly brighter compared to the previous model, the S23 FE has significantly thicker bezels. Additionally, Samsung has downgraded the display protection from Gorilla Glass Victus to Gorilla Glass 5, which is also found on the much cheaper Galaxy A54 5G. The back of the S23 FE also uses Gorilla Glass 5, making the phone significantly heavier than its predecessor, weighing 209g, which is 18% heavier. In contrast, the larger and more expensive Galaxy S23 Plus is 11g lighter.
The choice to revive Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip for the S23 FE is another questionable decision. While it may be an upgrade on paper, this chip was responsible for thermal throttling controversies with the Galaxy S22 family last year. The S23 FE could have included the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC instead, which proved successful in Samsung’s foldable smartphones.
The S23 FE’s odd changes may be attributed to its lower price tag of $599. However, when comparing it to the Pixel 8, which is priced at $699 but comes bundled with the $200 Pixel Buds Pro until October 16, Google offers better value. The Pixel 8 also has advantages like eSIM support, three additional years of Android software updates, software AI features, and a brighter and more durable display. The S23 FE, on the other hand, only boasts a lower price tag and an upgraded 50MP primary camera, with the 3x telephoto camera being the one thing not found on the Pixel 8.
Ultimately, despite my enjoyment of the Galaxy S21 FE, I’ve decided to switch and purchase Google’s affordable flagship, the Pixel 8. The Pixel 8 excels in most areas, from its lightweight design to the impressive display. While the Galaxy S23 Plus may have occasional sales, making it more appealing to those with a larger budget, I find it difficult to recommend the S23 Fan Edition, especially to Samsung fans.